At 65 years old, some seniors may still be physically active and enthusiastic, but it does not mean that they can still be as strong as independent as they were before. For seniors, it is important that they are given the right assistance, especially in their daily living.
The topic of getting a personal caregiver who stays with the patient 24/7 is a sensitive issue. For senior patients, they might be quite hesitant of having a personal caregiver who is a total stranger to them. They have a hard time adjusting to someone who will help bathe them, feed them, and even assist them in disposing their waste. Moreover, leaving them in the hands of a caregiver might also give them the idea that they are being neglected and isolated from the rest of their family.
For the immediate family, on the other hand, a personal in-home caregiver equates to lesser burden and they can concentrate better on the welfare of their loved ones rather than focusing on the nitty-gritty tasks. But it could also mean having no time to check on their loved ones because they are totally dependent on the caregiver.
Here are three things that you need to consider when getting long term care for your senior loved ones.
1. The needs of your loved ones
We have to determine whether our senior loved ones need the assistance of a third party such as the caregiver. If we can see that they need help, then it is time that we consider the kind of help that we want to give them.
Choosing between nursing homes or in-home long term care should be well-thought of. In-home care is best for seniors who are really dependent on other people. When they cannot take a bath anymore, feed themselves or do anything they want, then it is best to provide them with a personal caregiver.
2. The red flags of age-related concerns are evident
There might be certain circumstances that they would really need a helping hand. Some of the red flags are:
They are accident prone- when they climb the stairs, prepare their meals or walk on steep areas, they are most likely to fall easily or they do not have a strong grip on things anymore.
They have just undergone surgery- during the process of recovery from major surgeries and operation, the patient will greatly need medical assistance, especially from skilled caregivers
Worsening health problems- patients with dementia, cancer or other chronic diseases will certainly need assistance from caregivers who can remind them of their medication, the activities suitable for their condition and even the meal that is recommended for their condition.
3. Notice health condition of your loved ones
The signs that there is a need for assisted living can be seen in the physical condition of the patient. If you can notice alarming weight loss on the patient despite not engaging in diet or any provided weight loss program, it is something that you must not just ignore. It is also important to take note of whether the patient has been improving or not from the last time that you had them checked by their doctor.
The social behavior of the patient is also important. If they seem aloof and anxious all the time when they are in a crowd, it could also be a sign that there is something wrong with them. In our senior home care in Pennsylvania, the RiteChoice Family Service, Inc., we have a personalized program for each senior adult that will cater their health needs, as well as their personal and social behavior.
For more details about senior care and in-home care, visit our blog at www.ritechoicesservices.com or call us at 267-292-2876.
Disclaimer
Blogs, content and other media uploaded online are for informational purposes only. Contents on this website should not be considered medical advice. Readers are strongly encouraged to visit their physician for health-related issues.
