Family is an important part of senior care. For some, family is the bedrock of their life. It’s what everything else revolves around. Family members also tend to be the first ones to notice that an older loved one isn’t getting around like they once used to. There are a variety of reasons why family is important, and they’re a key partner in the continued care of a loved one regardless of what stage they may be at.
When there is an absence of family in the care of an elderly individual, it can be noticeable. This is when those who aren’t already connected to a strong care service can fall through the cracks and become neglected. This is also when those who are connected with a care service can feel lonely and forgotten. Even when a great caregiver is in place, there may be feelings of sadness, loneliness, and other negative things present. Family is important, and when it’s not there it can feel like something is missing.
Family is a key part of senior care. Whenever possible, family should be involved in care to some degree. But it’s usually not realistic to expect a family member to provide care in the same capacity that a trained professional would. When a loved one has advanced needs or disabilities, it can be a temptation to have a family member provide for those things, but even when the best of intentions are in place, it’s not going to be given at the same level that a trained caregiver will be able to do so.
That’s where a service like ours can be helpful. In-home care is designed to give the people that you love all of the benefits of having their family around and all of the benefits of a professional caregiver working side by side with them. Additionally, these services take place in the home–a comfortable, familiar setting. There are multiple studies out there that indicate just how powerful this can be when it comes to the mental and physical health of an elderly individual, especially when dementia is involved, but that’s a topic for another conversation.
If family cannot be involved for whatever reason, there are other options that can provide a service similar to this. For example, a lot of assisted living facilities are rethinking how they provide care. Rather than establish an institutionalized feel to care, these homes are making strides to feel more like a community. This can take a lot of different forms. Some have shops and storefronts set up in common areas. Other have pets that live within the home, days where community members come in, and other activities. The goal is to not make someone feel like they are removed from the world, but rather are more involved in it than ever.
Senior care can be a burden, but it doesn’t have to be. When that care is carefully selected, it does a lot more than just meet your loved one’s needs. It helps them to better live the life that they want to live.
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