Over half of American senior parents aren't getting the help at home that they need. Many of them require assistance with things ranging from showering to cooking hot meals. Unfortunately, they don't always live close to family members who can help.
The good news is that there are plenty of personal care options available for seniors across the country. These options may include bringing a professional into a senior's home or moving the senior into a supportive community.
Here are some of the ways your loved one can get personalized senior care.
First of all, it's important to understand why personal care is so important for seniors. After all, there are plenty of older individuals who are perfectly capable of living alone and even working their standard 9 to 5 job.
The problem is that many older individuals aren't willing to admit that they need help or accept it. As a result, certain aspects of their life may suffer, such as their hygiene or nutritional intake.
When a person accepts personalized senior care, they get access to a care plan made just for them. This plan takes into account their health requirements, personal preferences, and religious restrictions.
As a result, a senior who receives personal care can live a full and healthy life. This is further supported at an assisted living community, where they gain access to an entire community of people with similar levels of independence.
Senior care can take many forms depending on your area and the person's individual requirements. Some seniors are perfectly comfortable living at home with some assistance a few times a week. Others will need around-the-clock care to manage their ailments and give them a better quality of life.
In-home care via a caregiver is the option chosen by seniors who prefer to stay at home. Access to a caregiver allows the senior to stay in a home or community where they are most comfortable and keep as much independence as they want. In turn, they get assistance with basic tasks such as cooking and cleaning.
If you do decide to hire a caregiver, it's important to make sure you find the right one. Some are certified to monitor a patient's condition and assist with daily living tasks. You'll need to hire a licensed nursing assistant if they need to set up medical equipment or perform certain medical tasks.
One of the most common options for seniors who need some assistance is an assisted living community. These communities offer single-bedroom apartments for seniors to live in with access to professional caregivers. They'll also be in close proximity with other seniors close to their age and various public amenities.
An assisted living community is a good start if your loved one needs help but can't live alone for whatever reason. They maintain as much independence as they'd like.
Memory care units provide specialized care for seniors with Alzheimer's disease, dementia, and other memory-related issues. These units provide a safe, structured environment where seniors are watched around the clock. They often boast higher levels of security as well as more staff per person.
A memory care unit also comes with tailored activities to improve cognitive function and maintain a sense of purpose. They're not designed for anyone other than those with memory-related issues.
Nursing homes offer more comprehensive care than an assisted living community. You may move a loved one into a nursing home if they suffer from serious medical conditions or disabilities that require medical professionals to oversee their care.
While an assisted living community also provides personalized care, it is not medical in nature. Assisted living staff cannot prescribe medication, administer drugs, or make diagnoses.
You may wonder why you should choose assisted living over something like an in-home caregiver or a nursing home. After all, both can offer similar levels of care with their own unique benefits.
There are many benefits to look forward to, such as pet-friendly apartments, social activities, and a higher level of independence.
The problem with hiring caregiving services at home is that you might not get the right person for the job. You need to hire someone you can trust who can handle what your loved one can throw at them.
When a person moves into an assisted living community, they gain access to a larger staff of professional caregivers. These caregivers are often more experienced and deal with a wide variety of conditions throughout the day.
All residents gain access to higher levels of care than they would at home. The reason for this is that these communities often have equipment and resources you wouldn't otherwise have on hand.
In addition, many of these communities have connections to doctors and nurses. Some have nurses make routine visits for health checkups.
Every senior who moves into an assisted living community is assessed so the staff can provide a customized care plan for them. This care plan determines what kind of help they receive, how often, and if there are any health concerns to watch for.
Many assisted living communities allow pets since seniors live in apartments by themselves. Pets are great for emotional comfort and can reduce loneliness in residents. Something like a dog also encourages residents to get up and walk with them multiple times a day.
In modern times, there are plenty of personal care options for your senior loved one. They can adapt to any lifestyle limitation or health concern you may have. Your loved one may also find that they're happier and have more energy after they move into a more supportive community.
Worthington Place provides assisted living in the Camy, IN area. Our residents engage in a variety of activities like pet therapy, karaoke, church services, and more. Contact us with any questions and schedule a visit to see our community for yourself.