Growing older often means more trouble living independently. Sometimes seniors can age in place just fine, as long as they have a little bit of help. Senior home care providers can keep seniors safe and healthy while also offering invaluable assistance when needed.
What Are ADLs?
Activities of daily living, often abbreviated as ADLs, are fundamental daily tasks that people do in order to take care of themselves, to stay healthy, and to remain independent. These tasks include activities like dressing, bathing, mobility, toileting, eating, and more. Seniors can have more trouble with these tasks for a variety of reasons ranging from cognitive changes to declining health or physical limitations.
Customized Care Plans
The first way that home care offers the help seniors need is through customizing care plans to meet individual needs. Caregivers work closely with the care recipient to understand what they need and want, what their routines are, and any other mitigating factors. These care plans aren’t static, either. They are adjustable as needs change.
Bathing and Personal Hygiene
Personal hygiene is essential for physical health, emotional well-being, and comfort. Caregivers can help seniors to bathe and take care of any personal hygiene tasks. This can feel embarrassing for some seniors at first, but caregivers offer compassionate support without judging or making the person feel bad about needing help with personal tasks.
Grooming and Dressing Help
It’s amazing how intricate some clothing and fasteners can be. As seniors age, it can be more difficult to manage getting dressed on their own. Home care providers help seniors to continue looking their best, while also wearing clean clothing that makes them feel their best.
Nutritional Support and Meal Preparation
When seniors aren’t eating healthy meals, that has a huge impact on their overall health. Home care assistance ensures that seniors are eating healthy meals on a daily basis. If seniors need more help with planning meals and grocery shopping, caregivers can help with that, too.
Mobility Assistance
Maintaining mobility is a huge part of helping seniors to remain independent. Senior home care services help seniors to have the support they need with tasks like transferring between surfaces, walking, and even exercising. Seniors with a high risk of falling can greatly reduce the likelihood that they might fall if they have mobility assistance on a daily basis.
Toileting and Incontinence Care
Incontinence is a sensitive issue for so many seniors. Home care providers offer support with toileting, getting to the bathroom safely, and establishing bathroom routines. Incontinence care is nothing to be embarrassed about, and having this assistance can reduce the chances of seniors experiencing UTIs and other health issues.
Monitoring and Reporting Health Issues
There’s more involved, however. Family caregivers who live far away or who are extremely busy may not be able to keep up with everything that is happening with the seniors they love. Caregivers can help them to stay aware of health issues and other concerns that families need to start addressing.
Getting help with ADLs does not mean that seniors have to move or that they are unable to care for themselves at all. Senior home care providers offer the support necessary for aging adults to do what they can and to know that they have assistance when they need it.
If you or an aging loved one is considering senior home care in Moraga, CA, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Walnut Creek. (925) 203-3039.