Every once in a while, the general trend of senior care changes. As an organization that has been in this line of business for a while, we’ve seen a number of these trends emerge. These are not bad things–ultimately they help senior care change to meet the needs of the people that are being served.
Never has there been such a big change in the business of assisting the elderly as there was during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Holistic care treats all aspects of the person involved. It treats the physical symptoms along with the emotional and spiritual ones. It helps with things like finances, transportation, and family issues that might arise. One easy way to better ascertain what those needs are is through the use of more assessments, particularly those that have to do with cognitive functioning. It’s estimated that about half of those in nursing homes have some sort of dementia. A more complete look at diagnoses and needs can help to better address what these people need.
Holistic care is not new. Perhaps that terminology and some of the language has changed over the years, but the concept of treating the whole person and not just their physical needs is not new. It’s what we’ve been aiming to do through in-home care for many years.
In-home care can play a role in an overall healthy approach to dementia. For some, it can help to facilitate a more holistic style of care. It tends to be far more comprehensive than traditional nursing homes are, allowing the individual needs of the person being treated to get more attention and focus than they would have otherwise. It’s not right for everyone, and for some, the nursing home truly is the best type of care to meet their needs. But for a lot of people, in-home care meets needs in a way that other types of care can’t.
A holistic approach to care also serves a few other functions. It helps ensure that there is less of a burden on senior care staff, for example. This might not be immediately obvious, but a holistic approach takes all needs into account. It ensures that caregivers know what they are up against in a more comprehensive manner. It allows care services to better understand and address needs and make sure that the right staff with the right training are working. When you take into account the fact that many parts of the nation are facing a senior care staff shortage, this is a really important component. By lessening the burden placed on care staff, it is easier for those in the profession to give the elderly individuals that they work with a higher quality of care, more attention, and a better overall care experience. It is not something that should be overlooked.
We’re here to talk. If you have questions about senior care or just aging and dementia in general, we’re happy to talk. Call us for a quick conversation, schedule a more in depth consultation session, or even start a conversation about the services that we offer here at Paradise In-Home Care. We’re here to help.
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