ReadOns.com | Discover New Blogs Daily

10 things seniors could expect from caregivers at old age homes

Each individual, including seniors, may require some care throughout their lives, and more so as they age. Sometimes, seniors might need to move to an old age home where a caregiver will care for them. However, moving from the comfort of one’s home to a care facility might be overwhelming for many. Knowing what to expect from caregivers in an old age home could help put one’s mind at ease and facilitate a smoother transition.

1. Appointment scheduling
Some seniors who move into an old age home may require healthcare attention, such as frequent doctor visits. In some cases, seniors may not remember to set these appointments themselves. Here, the senior caregiver can help schedule these appointments and help with healthcare equipment, such as colonoscopies or other preventive diagnostic screenings.

2. Activity encouragement
There could be multiple people living in an old age home. So, the caregiver may encourage all senior members in the home to participate in leisure activities. The professional may also create a calendar with a list of activities for the month, encouraging participation in each of them. Indulging in activities could help senior members build their social skills and develop friendships with other residents.

3. Transportation
In an old age home, seniors may have access to standard healthcare services, such as first aid and prescriptions for common health issues like the common cold and the flu. But, if one has to visit a healthcare facility for specific requirements, the caregiver could help drive them to the associated establishment, such as for a dental appointment or even in an emergency. Besides, if the senior loved member wishes to go outdoors, one could speak to the caregiver about taking them outdoors for a change in scenery. The caregiver could also make trips to the library to pick up books and handle other errand requests a senior might have. In a nutshell, the professional will help provide a healthy quality of life for a loved senior member.

4. Preparation and implementation of a care plan
In addition to setting healthcare checkups, a caregiver can take on tasks such as preparing and overseeing a care plan. Ensuring that a senior member’s daily routine is streamlined may help them feel more comfortable as they transition into a new space. The plan drawn up by the caregiver can also help determine how many hours of care a loved member will require at the facility and if additional help is required to improve their health and safety.

5. Assistance with daily needs
Some individuals might require assistance with specific needs as they get older. The elderly might require such assistance because of memory and mobility issues. A caregiver could help seniors with regular activities like bathing, grooming, eating, and assistance when they need to relieve themselves. Before signing up for a senior care facility, one must determine if one’s loved senior family member requires such care. This will ensure the necessary arrangements can be made at the facility, and the senior will feel comfortable after moving there.

6. Better sense of companionship
Seniors might spend time at home alone when other family members are busy with work or school. The lack of conversation or something to do could make them feel lonely, affecting their emotional well-being. One should note that moving into an old age home could help address this aspect of the senior’s life. Caregivers could spend time with the seniors and converse with them occasionally. It could help give them a sense of companionship and make them feel more at home.

7. Supplement and prescription monitoring
A senior might need to take supplements and other prescriptions to maintain overall health or to manage chronic conditions. However, older individuals might need help keeping track of these prescriptions and supplements and reminders to take them at the appropriate time. A caregiver could address this need by monitoring daily requirements. At the home for the aged, the professional would also help prevent mix-ups and report any complications if they notice them.

8. Meal preparations
If a senior is unable to prepare their own meals at home, or if a family member is unable to cook meals for them due to a hectic work schedule, a caregiver in the old age home might help address this situation. Once a senior moves to the old age home, the caregiver can prepare healthy meals and other preparations that a senior enjoys. This will ensure seniors get the nutrition they need in the old age home and enjoy nutritious and tasty meals throughout their time there.

9. Maintaining a clean environment
A senior caregiver is typically responsible for maintaining a clean, safe, and orderly environment for residents. The professional might perform general housekeeping and follow cleaning schedules for resident laundry, bedrooms, living spaces, bathrooms, dining areas, and other areas of the old age home.

10. Promote independence
When a senior moves into an old age home, a caregiver will take care of most things, such as cooking, cleaning, and transportation. However, most seniors might not be comfortable with letting others do everything for them. So, the professional may encourage each resident to do as many daily tasks as possible on their own. This will help promote independence among seniors and can bring about a sense of happiness.

Popular Reads

11 useful tips for anxiety management

Nearly 84% of participants in a particular mental health survey were said to have some form of anxiety. The severity of symptoms did vary from person to person, but the fact remains that we live in a world where almost everything is a potential trigger for anxiety. And living in denial about having a psychological trigger only worsens the problem. Luckily, it is possible to manage anxiety by following the suggestions recommended by experts. Identify the triggers Anxiety is mainly triggered due to an event or episode where one finds themselves in a difficult position. It could be something that puts a person out of their comfort zone. Doctors advise people to identify these triggers and avoid them. Any comment, action, or situation that did not work out in favor triggers anxiety. So, make a list of such events and instances and ignore them the next time something happens related to that event. At the same time, try to remain positive as it can help strengthen the mind to manage anxiety better. Keep busy Distraction is one of the simplest ways to prevent a panic or anxiety attack. You can perform simple chores or indulge in a favorite task to stay physically and mentally occupied for a few hours. When the mind is occupied, there is hardly any scope for negative thoughts to trigger unnecessary overthinking. Some creative activities to boost cognitive performance include taking a walk, painting, drawing, listening to music, meditating, praying, and reading. You can opt for any of these to stay busy. Try mindfulness techniques Deep breathing and mindfulness techniques have helped thousands overcome their fear or anxiety time and again. Focused deep breathing is a method where one inhales for four counts and exhales for the same duration; this is practiced for minutes. It helps lower heart rate, which, in turn, calms the mind and body.

Atrial fibrillation – Causes, symptoms, and management tips

The human heart is susceptible to several health complications, including atrial fibrillation (AFib). The condition is the most common type of treated heart arrhythmia, which is a term describing when the heart beats unusually slowly, fast, or irregularly. AFib is estimated to affect between 2.7 million to 6.1 million individuals in the country. An individual with the complication experiences irregular beating in the heart’s upper chambers, affecting blood flow, leading to health complications. Causes Irregularities in the structure of the heart are the most common cause of atrial fibrillation. Sometimes people may develop the condition without any known heart damage or problems. Risk factors like age may also contribute to the development of atrial fibrillation. Other potential causes of the phenomenon include a heart attack, sick sinus syndrome – issues with the heart’s natural pacemaker, coronary artery disease, congenital heart defect – A heart defect that an individual might be born with, high blood pressure, lung diseases, heart valve problems, use of stimulants, including certain prescriptions and caffeine, physical stress caused due to pneumonia, other illnesses, and also surgery, sleep apnea, overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), metabolic imbalances, viral infections, and complications due to earlier heart surgery. Symptoms A person who develops atrial fibrillation may not notice symptoms, and the condition is detected only after a physical examination. But some people experience signs and symptoms before a diagnosis. A few common symptoms of AFib include being unable to exercise to one’s full potential, feelings of weakness, throbbing pain in the chest, lightheadedness, shortness of breath, dizziness, palpitations and sensations of a fast, fluttering, or pounding heartbeat, and feeling extremely fatigued. Therefore, the symptoms of atrial fibrillation differ from one person to the other. Occasional symptoms (paroxysmal atrial fibrillation) Here, a person may experience something that lasts from a few minutes to a couple of hours.

Macular degeneration – Types, causes, and remedies

Macular degeneration is a condition that affects a person’s vision and develops as people age. This progressive eye disorder involves the deterioration of the macula, which is a part of the eye’s retina. It is a leading cause of vision loss in older adults and may develop in one or both eyes. This condition is of two main types – dry and wet. Read further to learn about the disorder, its causes, and its types. Dry macular degeneration People are more likely to have dry macular degeneration than wet form. It is also less severe and develops when tiny yellow protein deposits under the macula. These deposits dry and thin the macula, causing gradual central vision loss while the peripheral vision remains intact. In the advanced stages, the dry form can progress to the wet form. People with dry macular degeneration need to test their eyes daily at home using an Amsler grid. One must consult a health expert immediately if any vision changes are observed. Wet macular degeneration In this condition, the blood vessels grow beneath the retina and macula and cause blood and fluid to leak into the retina. This build-up of fluid results in scarring, leading to permanent loss of central vision. The wet form can cause a sudden change in eyesight resulting in a severe loss of centralized vision when left untreated. People with wet macular degeneration may require repeated treatments. Symptoms Macular degeneration may not cause any symptoms during the early stages. However, as the condition progresses, it can cause distortion and blurry vision. It can result in difficulty reading, driving, and identifying colors. Macular degeneration occurs mainly in people aged over 50. Blurred vision Dark, blurry areas appear in the center of the vision, leading to increased blurriness in reading printed words. Visual distortion The person may experience visual distortions, such as straight lines that look wavy or crooked, and objects may appear distorted.