Senior living and senior care, in general, have seen steady growth over the years, with baby boomers reaching older age and people living longer. But nothing prepared the senior care market for COVID-19. All senior living sectors were affected, and although the loss of life has been incalculable, some positive changes are also occurring.
VACCINE AVAILABILITY AND SENIOR LIVING ADMISSIONS: HOPE FOR THE FUTURE
The good news. With vaccine availability, senior living admissions are picking up. A renewed focus on the endemic problems in nursing homes has prompted changes in the industry, such as more accurate reporting and increasing pay for frontline staff. COVID-19 cases among staff at long-term care facilities have dropped by more than 83 percent due to vaccine availability. But, along with more optimism is a shift for many families away from traditional senior living to providing care at home.
THE EMERGENCE OF HOME CARE AS A VIABLE OPTION TO LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES
Home Care Assistance is responding to the increasing need of families to keep their loved ones at home. Many families have already taken the step of using home care to keep their loved ones safely and affordably at home. Families are questioning the idea that assisted living or nursing home care is the only option. Let’s look at the unique ways Home Care Assistance can keep people at home, working with other professionals to provide supportive care now and for the future.
Companionship: Loneliness was a problem before the pandemic and was exacerbated during COVID-19 restrictions. Home Care Assistance caregivers provide companionship focused on an individualized care plan that identifies interests and needs and offers much-needed companionship.
If a loved one has dementia, our trained staff of caregivers offer cognitive activities that improve memory and thinking skills. For others, Home Care Assistance caregivers can engage in conversation or other preferred activities.
Personal Care Assistance: Personal care assistance is what can make the difference between being able to stay at home or move to a facility. Depending on the state where you live, there may be additional medical services available including:
- Assisting with walking and transferring from bed to wheelchair
- Bathing, dressing, and grooming assistance
- Medication reminders
- Toileting and incontinence care
- Status reporting to family
- Safety and fall prevention
- Ongoing wellness monitoring
Lifestyle Support: If you think about your daily life, it consists of hundreds of activities that support your independence and keep you happy. When illness or disability affects someone’s ability to remain independent or pursue their passions, Home Care Assistance can help by providing:
- Light housekeeping
- Meal preparation and nutrition
- Laundry and change of bed linens
- Grocery shopping and errands
- Transportation to social and recreational activities
- Assistance with light exercise and outdoor activity
- Companionship and community engagement
- Travel assistance
- Medication reminders
Medical Support: Every state dictates what caregivers can and can’t do. However, if someone needs medical support, there are ways to augment home care. There are situations when nursing home care is an appropriate choice if there is no viable way to provide extensive medical services at home.
As we all emerge from a challenging year, Home Care Assistance is here to work with clients and families. Our mission is to provide a foundation of support that helps seniors wherever they are with compassionate and person-centered care. If your loved one needs help, call your Mesa office at (480) 699-4899 and speak with a Client Manager