Nursing Homes, Private Assisted Living & Home Care

With great advancements in science and healthcare, more and more people are living longer than ever. Because of this, we strive to look for ways on how we can live our retirement years in comfort, happiness and fulfillment. In the United States, there has been a significant increase in the number of nursing homes, care facilities and agencies that provide care and daily assistance for seniors. The number of caregivers has also tripled by the hundreds or thousands as the demand for care providers soared. Many families are choosing between nursing homes and private assisted living. Some even use the terms interchangeably but the thing is they are two different concepts altogether.

A nursing home is a place for someone whose condition doesn’t require hospital care but is also not recommended to be taken care of at home. Most nursing homes take in clients who require nursing supervision 24/7, especially those who have chronic illnesses or those who are not mentally well. Clients in nursing homes are also those who are trying to recover from a serious health problem like a stroke or a bad fall. They require assistance in daily tasks like walking, eating, being pushed in wheelchairs, taking medicines and undergoing medical tests. Nursing homes are mostly set up like hospitals thereby providing little to no privacy for clients. Most of the time, clients share rooms and this makes way for issues such as the TV being noisy or a client feeling uncomfortable with his or her roommate.

Private assisted living on the other hand is often referred to as home care. This is different from assisted living facilities which are also establishments that provide a place and a community for people or seniors who can’t live independently at home. Private assisted living is just another term for home care set up in which a senior or a person who can’t take care of his or herself still stays in the comfort of his or her home but with the support or assistance of a personal caregiver or a private care provider. This type of setup is commonly preferred by families because of its benefits for clients or patients.

Home care provides clients a feeling of independence and dignity. It also gives them the opportunity to maximize their freedom because clients can basically do whatever they want, whenever they want. They can watch their favorite TV shows, cook if they want to, go out in the garden, or eat their favorite cake. This then provides them comfort and happiness because they will definitely feel that even if someone is there to help them in bathing, dressing up or whatever, they are still living normal lives. What’s also good about home care or private assisted living is that most caregivers from agencies are licensed practical nurses or registered nurses making them efficient in monitoring the client’s health. Care services are also tailored or customized depending on the needs of the client. Family members can actually choose from a wide range of services like companion services, household management, personal care services, medical health care and many more. Last but not least, home care keeps families together.

When you want to hire someone who can take care of your loved one at home, you should be well-aware of your loved one’s needs first. Itemize or make a breakdown of services that you need a caregiver to provide and put it on paper to prevent misunderstandings from arising between family members and the care provider. There are so many types of private home care services and you can actually choose which of these would you like to be a part of your caregiver’s tasks. Stated below are just a few of the most common tasks that I can think of.

1. Medical Home Health Care

When your loved one has a medical condition that needs monitoring or has trouble walking due to a broken hip or ankle, medical care can be provided at home by trained professionals. Most of these professionals are occupational therapists, licensed practical nurses or registered nurses who are qualified to check vital signs, provide wound care or administer medications. Some are also authorized to check on the client’s ventilator or tracheotomy, to administer tube feedings and even handle IV infusion. They can chart the patient’s progress and report or notify the doctor or a family member any crucial changes in the client’s health.

2. Companion Care

Companion care is suitable for people or clients who are still active and mentally well but just needs assistance with daily activities. You can hire a companion for your loved one for socialization or for running errands like going to the grocery or the doctor. Caregivers can also perform light housekeeping to keep the house clean and habitable for them both and also prepare nutritious meals for the client. Carers are expected to always be alert in order to make sure that nothing will compromise the safety of the client such as a grease fire or an electrical short circuit. In case of an emergency, caregivers are trained to follow a protocol or a directive regardless of the event being a medical or a non-medical emergency.

3. Personal Care

Personal care is also referred to as custodial care. It’s one of the types of private home care service that entails assistance in daily life activities such as bathing, eating, dressing, or grooming. Clients who have trouble sitting up from the bed, walking, sitting down on the couch or those in wheel chairs also require personal care. Those who are bed-ridden also need caregivers who can change their clothes or diaper and assist them in facing sideways as to prevent bed sores from emerging.

4. Transportation

Most seniors or adults reach a point when they no longer find it easy to drive, especially at night when their sense of sight is mostly challenged. Caregivers can accompany them and take the responsibility of driving to and from the house or wherever. It’s another way for seniors to maintain their independence by still being able to go wherever they want, of course, with the help of a care provider.

5. Housekeeping or Household Monitoring

When your elderly loved one finds it hard to monitor and pay bills, do grocery shopping or household chores, private caregivers can also assist them. They can check and pay the bills on time, make sure the cupboard or the fridge is well-stocked and do basic chores like sweeping the room, washing the dishes or cooking meals. The number of private home care services is actually limitless and you just have to consult your care agency about the services they offer.

Deciding to let your loved one be taken care of at home is a challenge. Not only is it hard to find a reliable, trustworthy, professional caregiver but major changes should also be done in your house itself to make it a conducive place for home care. Taking care of seniors is also a bit similar to taking care of children. The house should be a place that will not compromise their safety and should also be accident-proof as well. So before taking your seniors home make sure that all the areas in the house designated for their use are all checked and modified for their safety.

1. Entrance and Exit

If the entrance or exit to the house has a staircase, make sure that the railing is secured and the boards are not uneven to prevent seniors from falling off or tripping. Make sure that there won’t be any litters or anything that may cause them to slip on the floor. The locks should be working fine and also make sure that the door doesn’t get jammed. In case there is an emergency, you wouldn’t want your senior locked from the inside. If there is another exit or a fire escape, the better it is for their safety.

2. Living Areas

The living area is where your senior can pass the time or socialize with another person in the house. Make sure that there are no electrical or telephone cords that can trip them. Secure these cords with tape along the walls of the house instead of placing them under carpets or rugs to prevent electrical accidents. If your loved one has trouble sitting down or getting up from a chair, try to get a sofa or chair with armrests and firm seats. You can also try to add new or firm cushions that can help them sit up and sit down easily. Make sure that your television set can easily be put to function. Placing a list of emergency contact numbers in the wall and setting emergency speed dials on your phone is also a good way to respond to emergencies.

3. Kitchen

To keep kitchen fires from happening, make sure that all flammable objects are kept away from the stove. These include matches, lighters, towels, draperies or anything that will burn immediately. The stove should be easily managed. If not, try to invest on a new one or just let your senior use the microwave. Also make sure that appliances are still working and that kitchen utensils can easily be accessed. Sharp objects should also be placed and stored safely.

4. Bathroom

Never let your seniors use towel racks to help them get out of the tub or the shower. You can install grab bars because they are sturdier. Also remember to place non-skid mats in the bathroom. In case you use bath rugs, use the ones that are large enough to cover most of the space and make sure that you put adhesives underneath to prevent slipping.

5. Bedroom

You need to make sure that your loved one will get in and out of bed safely. Check to see if there is any clutter on the floor when he or she gets up. There should be an accessible light and phone that can be used during an emergency. If your senior still dresses up by himself, make sure that the cabinet or closet can easily be opened or closed to prevent accidents.