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Health Store

The Basics of Senior Home Care

With a large aging population in declining health, many children and family members are seeking information and services for senior home care. Rather than moving parents or loved ones to a nursing home or residential facility, home care brings health care professionals into a comfortable and familiar environment, increasing independence for the senior and allowing them to remain in their own setting. The term “home care” often refers to non-licensed medical professionals, although in some cases nurses or physical therapists are involved in the treatment plan.
What services are provided by home health care professionals?
As the goal is independence, familiarity and comfort, keeping an elderly relative in their own home is critical. In home care can provide a longer, more comfortable, stay at home for aging parents and loved ones. Service professionals providing home care include:
Transportation: Driving can become increasingly difficult and balancing daily commitments such as church, friends or doctors appointments, impossible. Seniors can utilize taxi or bus services, although there are alternatives in the local community that may be free or at a nominal charge. Medical insurance may cover or partially cover the cost of transportation to and from doctor appointments for seniors. Keep in mind that familiarity is important for both the elderly person and the driver as it ensures that the patient’s needs are met each and every time.
Meals: Nutritious, delicious food production and kitchen cleanup can become an increasingly difficult task for geriatric relatives. In addition to meals, delivery people offer companionship and regular contact with the patient.Professional delivery companies often train their staff to watch for worrying conditions, changes of mood or medical needs.
Home Construction: As needs change for an elderly person, they may need alterations within their home environment, such as lowered cabinets, non-slip flooring or updated bathroom fixtures. Consideration of the cost of long-term, in-care treatment should be taken when faced with the cost of assisting an elderly person to remain in their home.
Licensed Medical Care: Family members may wish to provide regular medical treatment by qualified, licensed professions in the home. This provides comfort for the patient and also regular updates for family members.
Prevention Services: Fall prevention is playing an increasingly important role on this. As costly hospital stays can result from a fall, a professional familiar with common causes of falls can provide guidance in altering a home environment. These may include updating shower fixtures, widening doorways or installing ramps.
How can I find the best home care professionals?
For comprehensive services, eldercare agencies are an excellent option. In addition, community groups, religious groups and local government agencies can provide resources and qualified senior care services.
How will we pay for these services?
Insurance companies that cater to geriatric care, such as Medicare or Medicaid, often cover all or part of in-home specific senior home care advice, consult a professional, qualified insurance agent.…

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Health Magazine

Is It Time For Your Senior Parents To Move In With You?

Space
Is there enough room in the home? The guest bedroom could be used or the children could share a room. The home office or den could be changed into something cozy and comfortable with a bed and some furniture from the former house or apartment. For those already in tight spaces, adding another person to the equation may be too much. This can be remedied by a home remodeling addition or converting an existing space, such as the garage, into a usable efficiency apartment. Consider any special features that may need to be added, such as a wheelchair ramp and hand rails to help with mobility.
Health
People have different abilities as caregivers, just as their parents have different needs for assistance. Some seniors may need private nursing services around the clock or in the home while the rest of the family is at work or at school. On the other hand, they may be able to drive themselves and do not need anyone watching over them during the day. Many people are in between the two. They may require some help walking or with bathing. This can be done by family members or by senior home care providers. There are also senior companions that are specially trained with Alzheimer’s patients and those with dementia so that the client does not wander off unattended. The degree and frequency of help needed can be determined by a physician or a home care agency.
Personalities
Some family members get along better than others. While the stereotype of the bossy mother-in-law living with her daughter is frequently showcased in television comedies, in reality it may not be a laughing matter. On the other hand, the living situation could be the perfect combination. Some seniors may not want to be a burden to their families; others may be ready to move in and take over the household immediately without a second thought. One frequent reason for hesitation of seniors moving in with their families is that they do not want to give up their independence, their homes or their friends. Having separate living quarters or a room that is “off limits” to the rest of the family may help to lessen those feelings. Encouraging them to engage in social activities with their friends or making new ones their age may help.
Taking the time to evaluate the situation and choose what works best for each family situation is the first step in making a decision.…