Introduction
If you have an aging loved one, you may have considered the type of care
they need. Elder care is a complex issue with no easy solutions. It involves
many factors and can be extremely difficult to navigate. In this article, we'll
go over the different types of elder care and how each one works so that you
can make an informed decision about what's best for your family member (or even
yourself).
What Is Elder Care?
Elder care is the term used to describe a wide range of services that help
older adults remain in their own homes for as long as possible. These services
can include assistance with daily activities, such as bathing and cooking;
transportation to appointments or shopping; and social activities that
encourage an independent lifestyle.
Family members often provide elder care, but there are also many other
sources of this support: adult day centers, home health aides, nursing homes
(skilled nursing facilities), hospice programs for end-of-life care and more.
How Does Elder Care Work?
When hiring an elder
care provider, it's important to find the right fit for your loved one. If
you're struggling to find time to take care of your family members, losing out
on precious moments with them is more than likely something you want to avoid.
Consider this: when you hire a caregiver from an agency like ours, we'll make
sure that they have all the training and qualifications necessary for their
role. This way, your loved one will receive only top-quality care in return for
their trust in us as a company.
As far as being involved goes, there are many ways that you can help out
during different stages of the process. For instance: maybe some friends or
family members are willing to pitch in once or twice a week? Or perhaps if
money is tight these days then maybe consider asking other close relatives who
live nearby if they would be willing? Either way it doesn't matter because by
doing so everyone wins!
Types of Elder Care
There are many different types of care for seniors. Here’s a list of the
most common:
·
Home Care - Help your loved one stay in his or
her own home with assistance from a caregiver who provides basic daily tasks.
·
Adult Daycare - A place where your senior can go
during the day to socialize, get exercise and enjoy activities with other people
his or her age.
·
Nursing Homes - There are many different levels
of nursing homes, ranging from small local facilities to large hospitals with
hundreds of beds.
Memory Care Facilities (Alzheimer's Care) - These facilities specialize in
caring for those suffering from memory loss related to Alzheimer's disease or
other forms of dementia
Adult Daycare
Adult daycare services are available for adults who live with dementia or
other conditions that make it difficult to remain in their homes. Adult daycare
programs provide adults with socialization, medical care and supervision. There
are two types of adult daycare programs:
·
Adult daycare at a facility - Non-medical care
provided by trained staff at an adult day health center or community based
agency/organization.
·
Home-based care - A caregiver comes to the home
of the senior citizen three times per week (or more if needed) and provides
assistance with bathing, grooming, activities of daily living (ADLs), meal
preparation and light housekeeping.
Home Care
Home care is a type of elder care that provides seniors with assistance in
their own homes. After a health condition, such as a stroke or heart attack,
has left you unable to live independently, home care services can help you
regain your independence, while also saving your family time and money.
Home health aides provide assistance with daily activities, such as bathing
and dressing. They may also help with meal preparation and housekeeping duties
or transportation when necessary. Home health aides are usually hired on a
short-term basis so that they can be reassessed frequently for any changes in
the senior’s condition or needs.
Nursing Homes
·
Nursing homes provide a range of services to
residents, from assistance with activities of daily living to 24-hour nursing
care. They can be for-profit or non-profit and serve everyone from seniors who
need help with bathing and getting dressed to those with dementia or other
mental health issues.
·
Nursing homes are usually licensed and regulated
by state agencies, so you can check with your local department of public health
before choosing one.
·
You should also ask about staffing levels at
nursing homes, since they vary widely depending on the size of the facility and
its overall staff mix (elderly people need more attention than younger ones).
Memory Care Facilities (Alzheimer's Care)
If you or someone you love is suffering from Alzheimer's disease, a memory
care facility can provide some much-needed relief. Memory care facilities
specialize in caring for patients with cognitive impairment, which may include
dementia.
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive, degenerative brain disorder that
causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. It affects the ability to
carry out daily tasks such as managing money or cooking meals. Alzheimer's is
not contagious and cannot be prevented by vaccines or medications.
Conclusion
Elder care is a huge responsibility. The first step in determining the type
of care that is best for your loved one is finding out what types are available
in your area. Once you have that information, you can have an easier time
deciding which one will work best for them.
No comments:
Post a Comment