Unfortunately, for many senior citizens, a trip to the intensive care unit is necessary. The elderly are at a much higher risk of being hospitalized than other populations, and this can sometimes lead to days, or even weeks, in the ICU. When this happens, care is often very helpful, and the illness or injury that put them in the hospital in the first place is resolved in some manner. However, many other difficulties may arise as a result of this. One study shows that even though, the original illness is fixed by the hospital visit, symptoms like advanced muscle atrophy can persist for more than six months after discharge.
This is concerning, because muscle atrophy can make seniors unsteady on their feet, and this can lead to injuries within the home. If you have a loved one that is, or has recently been in the hospital, ensuring that they are safe in their home is a very smart idea. Luckily, there are several ways to go about making this happen. For one, you can install safeguards to help make getting around the house easier. Things like support bars around the toilet, a shower chair, hallways and walking areas that are free of tripping hazards, and so on, can all make navigating the house injury free a lot simpler. You can also help your loved one to get to physical therapy appointments, and even assist with strength training activities on your own.
Another solution is to increase supervision within the home. If your mom or dad currently lives with you, supervision might not be an issue. But if they live alone, or if they are by themselves for periods of time during the day while you are at work, then having someone with them could be a very helpful way to make sure that someone is around to help them with their daily tasks or to provide them with company. In-home care is one of the best solutions to this. When a professional caregiver is helping your family, they can assist with the tasks that may pose a risk when it comes to injury, and they can become a trusted friend at the same time. This is a responsible choice on your part, as it allows you to both care for your family and retain your responsibilities at your job. This way, you are both caring for the people that you love, and you are still acting as the provider and leader that you are. It can be tough to balance these different responsibilities within your life, and that’s one of the great things about hiring a professional caregiver service to assist.
Nobody wants to have a family member go into the hospital, and no one wants to see the person that they love suffer complications because of it. If you do find yourself in this situation, though, there are things that you can do to help make sure that they are safe and healthy afterward. In-home care is a perfect solution to this. If you have questions about this, contact someone at Paradise In-Home Care today.
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