Elder care is not something that you think of as an evolving field, but over the last several years, it has changed a lot, and this is a good thing for those receiving care since the vast majority of those changes have been done for the betterment of seniors. Let’s take a quick look at a few things that have changed, and what that means for you and your search for the right type of senior care for your family. The changes in senior care have made it much more accessible to the average person in need.
Hospice Care
Hospice care has been around for a while, but it’s only now starting to become a respected thing. It’s a palliative type of care, meaning that there isn’t a focus on healing, but rather on just providing comfort. This is a great focus for those at the end of their lives, especially those that want to be able to stay out of a sterile hospital environment. It’s a personal type of care, and there is a large focus on pain management. One of the best changes that has taken place in this particular field is that many health insurance policies now cover hospice care if their is evidence that the patient is in the final stages of a terminal illness. For many seniors, this brings a sense of joy and peace that they may not have had otherwise.
In-Home Care
In-home care has been in existence for several decades, and like hospice care, it’s now a mainstream type of care. Still, many people do not give it all the credit that it deserves. In-home caregivers are often just as experienced as assisted living caregivers, or more so. Those with experience are great helpers around the house, and more importantly, they are often much more personable than other types of caregivers, simply because they usually work on a one on one basis. In-home care also has been shown to help many more individuals than originally expected to be able to thanks to the diverse needs that can be met without an individual ever having to leave their home.
Treatment of Age Related Illnesses
The way that age related illnesses are treated by medical professionals has changed a lot over the last decade. For example, osteoporosis was thought to be just a problem with weak bone density. And while this is true at its core, weak bones can often be strengthened by means other than more calcium and medication. Exercise, for example, can strengthen bones. When muscles are exercised, the bones that they are attached to necessarily get stronger. It also builds up strength and balance, so falls are less likely and less damaging if they do occur.
More Affordable
Professional care is more affordable today than ever before. A lot of programs, such as Veteran outreach programs, Medicaid, and other public services can cover part or all of the cost of senior care in many cases. And private insurance policies exist today that can offset huge amounts of the daily cost of care, even in-home care. If you are struggling to come up with ways to pay for elder care, there is most likely a way to get your loved one’s care covered in some manner.
Leave a Reply