Elderly Care is a broad term that encompasses many different forms of assistance and support for elderly adults. Choosing the right option can be overwhelming for family members, but careful evaluation of various factors and guidance from professionals can help you make an informed choice that fits your loved one’s needs and preferences.
Medical home care provides services like wound care, physiotherapy, and medication management by licensed healthcare professionals. It is a great way to help older individuals with chronic health issues stay in their own homes longer and avoid the need to move them into a nursing home. Contact Elderly Care Thomasville for professional help.
When choosing an elderly care agency, ask about the qualifications of their caregivers and how they are trained. It is also important to find out how often they update their staff on best practices in elderly care. You should also be able to expect regular updates regarding your loved one’s condition and the status of their care.
Non-medical elderly care includes personal care (assistance regarding ADL and IADL), nutrition services including general food preparation, providing warm meals based on a menu, home maker services, around-the-clock supervision and respite care. Other services include recreational and entertainment programmes and group housing for the elderly.
It is important to have conversations with your parent about what type of care they want, especially if they are experiencing any health challenges that could lead to them needing to rely on home health care. Having these conversations early on is more effective than trying to make decisions for them when they become seriously ill and unable to communicate their wishes. It is also helpful to prepare for future medical care through advance care planning. This can reduce confusion and uncertainty for family members when making end-of-life decisions.
Personal Care
Whether your elderly loved one needs help dressing, bathing or managing their medication, a personal care provider can provide the regular interaction they need to combat feelings of loneliness and isolation. They can also help prepare meals and assist with other daily activities such as shopping and housekeeping.
Even though a personal care provider is non-medical, they can help remind your elderly loved ones to take their medications as prescribed and on time. They can also order prescription refills from the pharmacy and double check to ensure that they are ordering the correct medication. This allows you to have peace of mind knowing that your loved ones are receiving the care they need.
When considering home care, you should always make sure your elderly loved one’s caregiver has the necessary experience and certification. Many home care providers are registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC), which regularly inspects their services to ensure they are safe and effective. You can find qualified caregivers through a staffing agency, which acts as an employment service and matches independent contractors with your needs. However, you should be aware that this type of home care is more expensive than hiring a direct hire and may not include thorough background checks and license verifications. It’s important to discuss these options with your elderly loved ones ahead of time so they are comfortable with the plan if and when the need arises.
Social Interaction
In the elderly care setting, social interaction provides emotional and mental health benefits to seniors. It reduces loneliness, boosts self-esteem and sense of belonging and enhances cognitive acuity. It also improves physical health by lowering blood pressure and decreasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases and various types of arthritis. In addition, it fosters community support networks and promotes participation in a wide range of activities.
Whether you have an elderly family member or friend, encouraging them to engage in social interaction is essential. This can be done through regular visits from friends and family, or by engaging in video calls or online groups. If they are not tech-savvy, consider teaching them how to use these tools.
In a recent study, researchers examined the relationship between social interactions and emotional expressions among persons living with dementia in long-term care facilities. They reviewed data from 59 Area Agencies on Aging, which serve older adults in New York state. They analyzed the quality of social interaction and emotional expression using Noldus Observer XT software. They coded the videos based on pre-embedded coding schemes for social interaction type and quality (QUIS) and emotional expression (PGCARS). In general, they found that the level of positive emotional expression (PEE) was associated with the extent of care provider-initiated interaction. However, they did not find that the scope of interactions was influenced by the frequency or duration of these interactions.
Meal Preparation
Caregivers should be aware of the dietary needs and limitations of elderly care recipients when planning meals. This can include avoiding high sodium options, providing whole grains and lean proteins, and preparing soft or pureed foods for seniors with swallowing difficulties. It also involves knowing how to shop smart and ensuring that pantry items are stocked. Caregivers can use a variety of techniques to streamline meal planning and preparation, including batch cooking and advanced ingredient prep.
By incorporating these strategies, caregivers can minimize food waste and ensure that nutritious meals are ready to eat. Having an established meal preparation routine can support independence and structure for seniors. It can also encourage healthy eating habits and help them manage their medications and health needs more effectively.
In addition to meal preparation, seniors need access to healthy beverages to maintain hydration and keep hunger at bay. Caregivers can prepare infused water and add fruits, herbs, and vegetables to create beverages that are both delicious and nutritious. They can also help their clients set up a rehydration schedule that includes mid-morning, mid-afternoon, and bedtime snacks to ensure that they are hydrated throughout the day. They can also cook in bulk and freeze meals for later re-heating. This saves time and energy and ensures that nutritious meals are ready to eat. It also allows caregivers to focus more on engaging and uplifting activities with their elderly care recipients.
Transportation
Many elderly individuals have limited access to private vehicles, and rely on community programs like volunteer driver networks or specialized services like paratransit, designed for those with mobility challenges. These options greatly enhance their ability to navigate the world around them and remain connected to family and friends.
Additionally, rideshare apps provide another viable option for seniors who are more tech-savvy and want to remain independent. These services offer convenient and affordable transportation solutions for their appointments and errands. Some of these apps also offer a senior-friendly interface and feature simplified payment methods for those who do not use smartphones.
Local councils on aging provide additional senior transportation resources, such as the Elderly Individual Service Transportation Program (EISEP), which offers free rides to medical and social appointments. The EISEP is managed statewide through uniform program regulations and implemented locally by 59 Area Agencies on Aging. Seniors whose incomes are below 150 percent of the poverty level pay a share of the cost using a sliding scale.
A reliable transportation solution is critical to ensure your loved one can travel safely to and from their appointments. Right at Home’s trained caregivers can help coordinate transportation for your loved one to run errands, such as going to the grocery store or pharmacy. These errands can be very important to your loved ones’ health and wellbeing, especially if they are living alone or have limited mobility.
Housekeeping
As individuals age, a clean living space becomes increasingly important. Private home care providers can assist elderly adults with light housekeeping services that help them maintain a tidy, safe living environment and reduce health and safety risks.
Light housekeeping tasks typically include removing trash, washing dishes, vacuuming, dusting, and cleaning up spills in the home. These chores are often done on a schedule to ensure that the home is always kept clean and tidy. Caregivers should carefully consider each care recipient’s unique needs and preferences when determining the level of involvement in these tasks.
Keeping the home clean can be a major mental boost for seniors and provides a sense of purpose that can enhance their quality of life. It can also improve their overall mood by reducing stress and increasing self-esteem. Caregivers should also consider involving their care recipients in light household chores whenever possible to promote a sense of independence and ownership over the home they live in.
Providing these non-medical home care services can help reduce the burden on family caregivers, which can free up up to 17 hours per week to focus on more important issues. It can also prevent resentment and feelings of guilt that can arise from the inability to manage all household duties. The most effective way to approach this topic with your senior is by focusing on the smaller, more easily-achievable tasks.