Hiring Care at Home For Senior Citizens
As Americans age, they will face new health and living arrangement issues that often call for the assistance of younger and well-trained health care professionals who can aid the elderly patient with everyday life and any medical issues that may come up. Often, it is the older Baby Boomers (those born between 1945-1962) who may need this care, along with anyone older than them. In fact, it is believed that by the year 2030, six out of 10 Baby Boomers will be managing a chronic condition or even two or more, and statistics show that 80% of seniors are experiencing at least one chronic condition today and 68% have two or more at the same time. And given how nearly 70% of Americans who turn 65 will need long-term care sooner or later, it is important for the proper medical care to be set up in the residences of these senior citizens. Disability home care is a particularly important route, since a number of senior citizens may be suffering physical or mental or neurological conditions that prevent them from taking care of all their daily needs. Caregiver resources may never be far away, and supportive family members of friends of an elderly person may reach out to find services for them, and at-home caregivers can go a long way to improve someone’s quality of life in their golden years.
Why Get Care?
Not every senior citizen will need disability home care or companion care services; some are completely autonomous, but there are plenty of others who are suffering an illness, physical condition, or mental condition that calls for assistance in everyday life, such as chores or receiving medical treatment. What are some issues that mandate disability home care? Physical issues such as serious arthritis, bone disease like osteoporosis, or more can make chores and moving around difficult, and this means that disability home care is a must. Other problems may be more mental, and dementia is a common issue that seniors face, such as Alzheimer’s disease, which mainly affects those age 65 and over. In fact, it is believed that 5.7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s today (a few are younger citizens with early-onset Alzheimer’s), and this total may climb to 14 million by the year 2050. Home care will definitely be needed for someone who has Alzheimer’s disease, and there are common strategies that home care givers can use to make the patient’s life easier and safer. What can be done?
Care for An Alzheimer’s Patient
When a patient with Alzheimer’s chooses to live at home, he or she will need assistance with various household chores and going outside, and this is where caregivers can help. Disability home care can compensate for any of the patient’s difficulties in everyday life. Typically, an Alzheimer’s patient will suffer physical clumsiness along with progressive memory loss and confusion, and this calls for certain care practices and safety precautions.
The home of an Alzheimer’s patient should be made safe and convenient for the resident. Tripping hazards such as rugs, power cords, small items, or pets should be taken care of, so that the patient does not trip and fall or knock something over. Dangerous items such as knives, scissors, matches, and lighters should be kept under lock and key, so that only the care giver can access them to prevent injury or fire on the patient’s part. The home should be clean and spacious to maximize convenience, and items should always be put in the same place to help cope with memory loss, and sentimental items such as family photographs may be set up. A home care assistant can help with shopping, cooking, housekeeping, tending to a garden, pet care, and anything else that the senior citizen needs. And whenever the patient goes outside for exercise or a visit, he or she should carry a name tag with a photo, address, and contact information in case the patient gets lost or hurt while outside the home. Finally, quality mental stimulation can help slow down the effects of memory loss, anything from social time with friends and neighbors to completing jigsaw puzzles, which have been proven to have positive neurological effects on those who use them.
