New research indicates that a remote intervention might have the capability to reduce the likelihood that abuse will happen to an elderly individual.
This study followed about 80 different individuals that provide unpaid care for an older loved one. They completed surveys regarding the online help that they were able to get from professional supports at the beginning of the intervention, in the middle, and toward the end of their time. They found that the remote interventions had a profoundly powerful impact and that by empowering and supporting family caregivers, they were able to better handle the every day stressors that come along with being a family caregiver. They were better able to appropriately handle and respond to the challenges that are present when it comes to having a senior living in the home.
All it took was a virtual support session. These sessions provided support, gave advice and guidance, and helped caregivers otherwise handle the bumps in the road that naturally come along with life.
This isn’t uncommon, actually. One of the things that came out of COVID research was that remote interventions could help to detect or even limit the number of child abuse cases that were occurring, even when people were only leaving their homes very rarely. It’s not a perfect solution, but it can be one more line of defense in the fight against abuse.
One of the big takeaways from this survey was the fact that family caregivers reported a higher quality of life toward the end of the intervention. This quality of life did not last forever, though. During future follow ups, the positive impact that these interventions had on caregivers and their ability to help their family members had largely dissipated. This points to a big area of growth in the world of senior care and illustrates a place where we are currently lacking when it comes to supporting our communities. Hopefully, this will lead to future research and developments that can help families keep their loved ones in their own homes for longer–and keep them safe and healthy at the same time.
The team published their findings early in October in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
When it comes to aging in the home, there are always gaps that need to be filled. Supporting family caregivers is one of those big areas of opportunity that currently exist. This is something that we strive to do more effectively through our respite care service.
Respite care is in-home care supplied by one of our professional caregivers–but only on a temporary basis. Respite care gives family caregivers a chance to rest, recuperate, and take care of their personal lives while their loved one is fully cared for. It’s a small thing, but one that has a huge impact on the quality of life that someone experiences. And when a family caregiver’s quality of life is improved, the people that they care for see their quality of life improve, too. It’s a win-win situation.
We’re always happy to help or answer questions. If you’d like to learn more, please feel free to give us a call today.
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