Introduction
Many seniors and caregivers worry about the health and wellbeing of their loved ones. Seniors are more likely to succumb to illnesses and injury, not only because they are older, but also because they have disabilities or chronic conditions that can be costly. Caregivers may have less time after work to help with medical appointments and caring for a loved one who is frail or has special needs.
Seniors can fall prey to poor nutrition, lack of exercise, lack of focus and cognitive impairment due to difficulties in moving safely around the home.
Each year people start to worry about the health of their loved ones as they age. Seniors tend to experience more injuries and illnesses which requires treatment. For many seniors, this can be quite expensive. The good news is that there are a number of resources available for home care services, rehabilitation treatments and even hospice care which would make it easier for seniors’ families. This article aims at familiarizing you with some of these resources and will help you decide on what your loved one might need in terms of Senior Care Health And Rehabilitation
Senior Care Health And Rehabilitation
1. Medication Management
Adequate medication management is essential to the health of seniors, whether they are living in the comfort of their own home or if they have moved into a care facility. Too much medication or not enough can be detrimental to a senior’s health, not to mention confusing and frustrating for them. A caregiver who can properly categorize prescriptions, keep track of refills, and ensure that medications are taken as prescribed is invaluable and can do wonders for a senior’s wellbeing.
2. Nursing Care
Respite care for the elderly is primarily about providing non-medical home care services to those who cannot move independently around their homes but need assistance with bathing, grooming and other activities of daily living (ADLs). In addition, it is important to ensure that seniors get the nutrition they need to maintain a healthy weight.
3. Physical Therapist
Physical therapists are experts at moving seniors safely and can help seniors regain movement and independence through exercises that build muscle strength and endurance. These professionals also teach more advanced techniques such as manipulation, biofeedback and electrical stimulation which have been shown to be effective in hastening recovery for many patients.
4. Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapists evaluate a senior’s cognitive, physical and social needs as well as their environment to determine what type of assistance is needed in order to maximize their independence while they live in an assisted living facility or home setting.
5. Speech Therapist
A speech therapist can aid with some of the cognitive impairment that occurs with age, but the main focus of these professionals is to help seniors learn how to communicate in new ways, or acquire new life skills. For example, speech therapy can help a senior figure out how to cook nutritious and tasty meals by reading food labels and recipes; it can also teach them how to properly take their medications at the correct times.
6. Home Health Aide
Home health aides are sent from offices of home care agencies who are trained in assisting people who cannot move around without assistance due to an injury or illness, whether at home or as a patient in a rehabilitation facility.
7. Hospice Care
Hospice care is a program that helps seniors spend their final days in an environment that is safe and comfortable. Medicare beneficiaries who are over 65 and at risk of imminent death or chronic illness can qualify for hospice services through Medicare.
8. Transportation Assistance
Seniors who need help getting around with their daily activities may want to look into mobility aids such as electric scooters or manual wheelchairs for short distances, or for those seniors with certain disabilities, a powered wheelchair can be especially helpful. Seniors may also benefit from the use of an automobile to go shopping and pick up medications when needed.
9. Adult Day Services
Adult day services can help seniors who live at home and require some assistance with the activities of daily living but would prefer to stay in their own homes and be able to take care of themselves.
10. Personal Care Services
Many seniors may need help with bathing, dressing and grooming, which a home care aide can provide. For example, a senior might have arthritis and require a scissor lift to be able to reach up and cut his or her own hair.
11. Home Security
While some seniors may feel secure in their homes without any form of home security system, others may need to have systems installed in order to prevent burglaries or other uninvited visitors. Some seniors may also have medical equipment that they need both at home and in the hospital, such as oxygen tanks that require an alarm system in order for the caregiver to know when the tank needs refilling or changing.
12. Attendant Care
Attendant care is very similar to home health aides, but attendants provide more 24-hour care for a senior living in their own homes. These professionals can help seniors with mobility and household chores, as well as ensure that they take their medications properly.
13. Respite Care
Not every senior wants to age in place and many prefer to move into an assisted living facility or nursing home – or even a hospital – when they need help with daily activities or medical care. A caregiver may also decide that he or she needs some time away from home, whether it is due to a personal need or because his or her loved one has recently passed away, which is where respite care comes into play.
Conclusion
There are several important steps that you can take to ensure that your loved one is getting the best possible care while they live in your home or if they have moved in with a caregiver. Keeping track of medications and other medical needs is important, as well as making sure that senior’s are receiving proper nutrition both at home and when receiving care at a facility; behavior management methods can also help promote relaxation and independence.