AGING IN PLACE CAN BE THE ANSWER
Being able to grow old with dignity and in a safe environment is a concern for many elderly and families. Finding a model that allows elderly to spend their golden year in their own home can be the answer.
Finding a long-term care solution for the elderly that provides safety and dignity can help millions of elderly Americans. Proper home care offers a logical solution to the long-term care crisis.
The pandemic has brought to light America’s flawed elder care system. Specifically, it has brought much scrutiny to the highly publicized circumstances in which long-term care residents have accounted for 2.1 million deaths. The elderly are only 0.62% of Americas population. Now that 75% of U.S. seniors have been vaccinated there is a much needed sense of relief. We can now see the light at the end of the tunnel. However, with Covid-19 variants still spreading in other populations there is worry of mutation.
Even with the vaccine, the goal for many families is finding a long-term care solution. We have now seen the devastation of not protecting our nations seniors have had. However, now we also understand how much attention and resources it takes to give our seniors the comfort and safety they deserve.
The majority of the population has turned to virtual care. This has shifted patient assessments from in-person care to telephone, video, and app-based interactions. For many seniors with multiple health conditions and sensory impairments, virtual care can often work against their vulnerabilities. There is immense work involved with elder care. Understanding elderly needs involves actually knowing an older person, understanding their needs and accompanying them on their aging journey.
Between long-term care such as nursing homes and virtual care, is home health care. The model of home health care involves a mix of care givers, specialists, and therapists. This model is designed to help seniors age in place. A proper home health care system allows them to stay safely and comfortably in their own residents rather than moving into an institution. High quality home health makes sense and is also important to the happiness of seniors.
Creating a system of home care for a loved one or yourself is not as difficult as perceived. Many families have reach out to caregiver agencies for live-in care as well as part-time care. Home health providers agencies can help with finding physical therapist, balance assessment, and medical social services. Initial research into home care agencies and home health providers is necessary, but the solution is at our finger tips.
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