What Are Assisted Living And Companionship Services?
For some elderly people, the thought of remaining in an assisted living home can be frightening. For others, however, the thought of leaving their elderly relatives in a senior home care facility can be even more frightening. Whether or not the individuals concerned have long term medical conditions that require constant monitoring or if they simply need extra help from friends and/or family members, the thought of living in such an environment can be both stressful and terrifying. The good news, however, is that assisted living facilities do not have to be frightening places.
Living in assisted living does not have to mean a transition from one level of care to another. There are several options available to seniors seeking companionship who wish to remain in their own homes. In addition to daily living assistance from a personal care aide, there are several other choices. Seniors who want to maintain their independence and who need assistance with everyday activities can select services that allow them to remain in their own homes but receive the care and assistance they need.
One option is in-home care, which means having someone come into one’s home on a daily basis to assist with activities that would ordinarily be performed by a nursing home care provider. This can include helping with bathing and other hygiene tasks. However, seniors may also need assistance with simple tasks, such as getting up from the bed and moving to a more comfortable room. Such services are usually provided by a companion, not a professional nursing home care provider.
Another option is to pursue care from home caregivers. These caregivers are professionally trained to provide everything that a senior would need to live in their home. However, seniors may have specific needs that cannot be met by home caregivers. For example, some seniors may require specialized medical care, or they may simply prefer to be in their own space. In this case, it is helpful to consider assisted living and reverse mortgages that make these customized services available to the homeowner.
Another option is to contract for in home care with a caregiver. A licensed, non-medical caregiver can come into the senior home to help with tasks like bathing and getting dressed. Many seniors who live alone are not able to take care of all of these tasks on their own. However, they are typically better able to care for themselves than they would be if they had a family member or other friend come in to assist.
Home caregivers can also provide emotional support for seniors who are isolated due to their disabilities. Some seniors may have difficulty talking, walking or remembering things. An experienced caregiver can provide companionship, allowing the senior to continue with their day-to-day activities while giving them comfort and reassurance that they are safe and happy. This type of service may be more expensive than live-in home care, but it may be worth it in the long run as it helps keep the senior in their home and improves their quality of life.
Most importantly, home health care provides seniors with consistent, personalized care that doesn’t change depending on who is visiting them. Whether you have one adult or an entire family in your home, the same service will be provided. There will be a nurse on hand to monitor the senior’s health and ensure that they receive all of the care they need. In some instances, the nurse will be followed by a home care provider, such as a physical therapist or the doctor’s office.
Many elderly home care services also provide companionship for seniors who are isolated and don’t have any other close friends or family to visit. By providing companionship, these services give the elderly person a sense of being part of the community. They may not enjoy leaving their homes, but they enjoy the company of others. When they can be surrounded by people they know, their desire to participate in daily activities increases and their quality of life improves.