If we’re lucky, we’ll all experience long and fruitful lives. However, we’re well aware that the older we get, the more physical and mental challenges we’re likely to face. It’s simple science really. As the World Health Organization explains, aging results from the impact of the accumulation of a wide variety of molecular and cellular damage over time. It leads to a gradual decrease in physical and mental capacity.
For many older adults, the challenges they face require round-the-clock care to ensure their safety and well-being. Live-in or 24-hour home care can provide seniors with the support they need to maintain their independence, and quality of life to remain at home where they want to be.
Here are three situations where seniors may require 24-hour home care:
1. Contending with Alzheimer’s disease.
As is widely known, seniors with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia endure significant bouts with confusion, disorientation and wandering. Naturally, this can take a toll on sufferers and the loved ones who care for them. Professional live-in caregivers can provide both supervision, assistance with daily tasks, companionate social connection and emotional support, and equally important, respite for a family loved one. This helps to ensure the safety of seniors who have cognitive impairments and may be unsafe if unsupervised.
“People in the final months of dementia will experience increased mental and physical deterioration and will need care for 24 hours per day,” reports the Alzheimer Society of Canada, “It is always best if care can be provided with a palliative care approach in the person’s home or long-term care home as transfers to a hospital may cause great distress for the person.”
2. Managing a chronic health condition.
Seniors with chronic health conditions need round-the-clock care to help them manage their often-difficult symptoms. If your loved one suffers from diabetes, heart disease or COPD, a professional live-in caregiver can offer a lot of comfort and ease to an otherwise tumultuous situation. Caregivers can help manage medications, monitor vital signs and provide support for activities of daily living.
Such care is particularly vital for diabetes sufferers who have had to endure amputations because of the disease. “In Canada, an average of 5,000 amputations are performed each year due to diabetes,” reports Diabetes Canada.
3. Experiencing isolation and loneliness.
As we noted in our last blog, social isolation is a major issue for many elderly Canadians. Without a group of friends or relatives to depend on for companionship, a senior can greatly benefit from 24-hour care. Caregivers can engage seniors in social activities and provide emotional support to mitigate feelings of loneliness and isolation.
“In Canada, older adults are facing growing rates of social isolation and loneliness,” says the Canadian Coalition for Seniors’ Mental Health (CCSMH), “This can hurt both their physical and mental health…Nearly one in five Canadians 65 years and older say they lack companionship. Nearly one-third of older Canadians are at risk of being socially isolated.”
Senior Homecare by Angels offers 24 Hour & Live-in Supportive Services.
We offer a Live-in service that is an affordable way to receive 24-hour care, if it is an appropriate situation. To learn more about our Live-in support services, please review the Live-in and 24 hour care video on our web site, then give us a call to talk about your aging parents support needs in more detail. We offer special pricing for this service, call us today to learn more.
Our 24 hour support services are staffed by the same 2 or 3 of the same caregivers to ensure continuity of care and around the clock coverage. We come to your family home and provide a free consultation to assess the level of care required to determine if this is the right services for your aging parents.
All of our consultations are no charge to you and is a key part of the process to ensure your loved one is getting the best solution.
To learn more about our 24 Hour & Live-in Supportive Services, call us at 403-862-0129 or if outside of Calgary, toll-free at 1-877-209-6142. You may also visit our Contact Us page to complete and submit a simple contact form!