As the world continues to age, and medical technology progresses, the effects of old age have never been more apparent. Over time, things like walking and talking become difficult, and as our bodies begin to fail us more and more, it becomes clear that elderly care is an important issue that many people are ignoring. Unfortunately, not only do many people underestimate the importance of elderly care in society, but they often overlook it as well. Today we’re going to talk about why elderly care is so important, why it’s often overlooked, and how you can get involved with caring for the elderly in your community.
The Importance of Eldercare
The importance of elderly care can’t be emphasized enough. It’s a service that we all need and it needs to be addressed before it becomes an issue. Healthcare facilities in the US are becoming more and more expensive, so families are often left to deal with the consequences. If you’re thinking about how to provide for your aging loved ones, then these 5 tips might be helpful:
- Keep them as independent as possible
- Consider their daily activities
- Take care of their daily needs
- Provide social interaction
- Remember they still want to be a part of life
What Is Eldercare?
Elderly care refers to the medical and social services provided to older adults who are not able to live independently. The elderly can be cared for in their own homes, as well as in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, or other long-term care facilities.
Eldercare can be expensive. In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average cost of a private room in an assisted living facility was $3,549 per month in 2013 – this number was even higher for memory care and skilled nursing facilities.
The healthcare industry is projected to grow 18% by 2020 and eldercare will likely play a significant role in this growth.
Deciding Between In-Home and Assisted Living
Deciding whether to live in your home or go to assisted living can be a difficult decision. It’s important to weigh the pros and cons of each situation before making a final choice that will work for you.
- The Healthcare Industry
- In-Home Living
- Assisted Living
Take Advantage Of Medicare
Elderly care often falls to the wayside because it’s not a necessary service like food or shelter. But elderly care is an important part of your family’s financial stability and well-being. Medicare can cover much of the costs for elderly care, so take advantage of what you have! Here are three steps to get started:
- Contact your local Department of Aging to find out what services are available in your area and how to qualify for them
- Check with your insurance company if Medicare covers any qualified expenses
- If you’re caring for someone else’s loved one, make sure they know that they can hire a professional caregiver through a community agency.
How To Know When Professional Help Is Needed
If you’re caring for an elderly loved one, we urge you to not be afraid to reach out and ask for help when you need it. If you feel like a burden has been placed on your shoulders, don’t hesitate to reach out and find the support that will allow your loved one to live their best life. Adult Day Services are often needed as well as care in the home or at a nursing facility. It’s important to know when professional help is needed so your loved one can maintain their dignity and independence while still feeling cared for.
How to Get Help For an Aging Loved One
If you are caring for an aging loved one, it can be difficult to know where to turn for help. Here are some things to consider if you need assistance or information about care giving:
- How much support does your loved one need?
- What type of care does your loved one need?
- Where will your loved one receive care?
- What do you want from the caregiver and how will they interact with your loved one? 5. What resources and services are available in your area?
- Is your loved one eligible for Medicaid, Medicare, Veterans Benefits or other programs?
- Do you have a Power of Attorney and/or Living Will?
- Are there family members who could provide care?
- Who would pay for any medical bills not covered by Medicare or private insurance coverage? 10.What type of medical insurance does your loved one have at this time?
According to research
Taking care of the elderly has become a more and more important part of the healthcare industry in recent years, but it still isn’t something that gets talked about as much as it should be. If you’re currently living with an elderly family member or know someone who does, these are the following reasons why elderly care is so important are especially crucial to consider.
Create a simple, easy to remember plan
Elderly Care is so important, and often overlooked. To help make sure you are taking care of the elderly in your life, here are six things to consider:
- Establish a routine to check-in on them regularly.
- Do not allow them to sleep or stay alone in an empty home.
- Make sure they have all their needs met (food, clothing, money).
- Be mindful that they might need help with things like bathing, cooking or going to the bathroom.
- Keep up with any necessary medications and check for signs of depression or illness.
- Check for signs that someone may be abusing them – bruises or injuries could indicate this is happening.
Determine where you want your elderly loved one(s) to live
It is important to find a home that is safe and where there are qualified staff members to take care of your loved one. Depending on the severity of your elderly loved one’s condition, they may need more professional medical attention than can be provided in their new home. A few considerations include:
- How many hours a day will someone be able to spend with them?
- Does their new home offer any specialized services for their specific needs?
- Does it have easy access for medical professionals or emergency vehicles in case anything happens?
- Is there plenty of outdoor space for them to walk around?
- What type of activities do they enjoy doing?
- What are their favorite foods, drinks, and snacks?
Who can take care of your elder
Elderly care is so important, but many people overlook it. As a society, we tend to focus on our children and their needs until they are grown and have families of their own. There is also a stigma attached to elderly care because many people mistakenly assume that it’s for the elderly who no longer have family members to take care of them or who are unable to live on their own.
While this stigma exists, one thing we can’t deny is that elderly populations in America are growing at an unprecedented rate.
Visit and stay in touch regularly
It’s important to take care of the elderly. It’s a kindness that is often overlooked, but it can make all the difference in someone’s life. Visit and stay in touch regularly, and you’ll see how your time and caring will be appreciated. Whether you do it once or everyday, making time for people who need assistance is something you’ll look back on with joy.
Remember it’s their home, not yours
A caregiver’s first responsibility is to make sure that their elderly loved one is as comfortable and safe as possible. This means making sure that they are getting enough food, hydration, and sleep. It also means being mindful of any health conditions that need to be addressed like bathing, grooming, or medicating.
It’s important for caregivers to remember that their loved one’s home is theirs and not a place for the caregiver to take up residence. A caregiver should always ask permission before doing anything in a loved one’s home like rearranging furniture or bringing over their own belongings.
What are the basic needs of the elderly?
Elderly care is an important aspect of society that often goes overlooked. In many places, there is a shortage of people to take care of elderly adults in need. Although they may not be able to provide for themselves as they once could, they still have basic needs that must be met. It’s important that we show them love and respect even though they’re not capable of giving back in the same way anymore.
Healthcare – it’s essential that we provide seniors with their healthcare needs, including dental care and mental health services.
Nutritious Diet – providing a healthy diet is essential to maintaining their health and well-being, while ensuring they are getting the nutrients they need.
What are the challenges in caring for the elderly?
Many elderly people can be difficult to care for. The most significant challenge is having a caregiver who is able to provide 24-hour supervision for frail and older adults. It’s important that caregivers be able to ensure their loved ones are safe and in good health, and help them with activities of daily living such as bathing, eating and using the bathroom.
Elderly care giving is emotionally draining, too. Caregivers often feel burdened by guilt when they don’t have time to do anything else because they’re always looking after their loved one. And it’s not uncommon for caregivers to worry about what will happen if something happens to them or their loved one needs round-the-clock supervision in a nursing home or hospital setting.
Conclusion: Make the Home Safe
Thankfully, there are many ways to make your home safer for an elderly person. If you live with an elderly parent or loved one, it’s important to take every step you can to make them feel as safe and comfortable as possible. First, check that your smoke alarm is working properly. Next, install a fire extinguisher in a location where it will be easy to access during an emergency (e.g., near the stove). Finally, check your stairs and make sure they are free from any clutter or objects that could trip someone up while walking down them (e.g., shoes on steps).
