subject: The "how-to"s Of Senior Home Care [print this page] If we're lucky enough to reach old age, we'll still have to face one of the modern era's most daunting challenges: making sure that we have the right kind of senior health care for ourselves or our loved ones. But achieving this doesn't mean you'll have to compromise the quality of your life. The right approach makes all the difference.
Talking about our old-age needs can range from being uncomfortable to taboo. But you'll need honest answers to tough questions to make it work. How independent are you or your loved one really? Do you just need some help or do you require medical monitoring? Is your house what you need it to be so you can be safe and happy remaining in it?
Even a chronic illness doesn't mean a total loss of independence. If you can take care of your personal needs but can't manage cooking, errands, and housework on your own, you could be fine with part-time help.
However, debilitating conditions may require you or your loved one to have help from someone who is prepared to offer healthcare assistance. In this case, you'll want to find someone with the right qualifications for your needs. A licensed practical nurse or home health nurse, especially with elder-care experience, is ideal for your situation.
To be able to stay at home is the goal, and to that end you need to make sure that your home or your loved one's home is up to the task. A two-story house presents problems, especially if the person requiring care has physical limitations. Ideally, the senior's bedroom and living areas should be on the same floor. Often a family room or den can be converted into a bedroom.
Some two-story homes only have a half bath on the ground floor. Even small bathrooms can usually accommodate a walk-in stall shower with a seat built in, which is far safer and more convenient for in-home care.
But even one-story homes might benefit from redesigning the bathroom. The safest way for the elderly to bathe, with or without assistance, is in a walk-in shower. This simple renovation will make it easier to maintain dignity and a good relationship with your home help.
These life changes are common to all of us, and we shouldn't hesitate to ask for help and advice from others, professional or not. Senior home care is preferable to institutional care, and you probably already know someone who's gone through this with their parents or themselves. Others' experience can keep you from making unnecessary mistakes. But it's a good attitude toward the task that will make it work.
