An increasing number of self-described "elderhood advocates" are working to change outdated social ideas about aging to ones that emphasize exciting new experiences, possibilities, and an abundance of happiness.
Elderhood advocates, who have a positive view of aging, tell us to ignore the crazy ideas that many of our contemporaries have about how aging is a scary, panic-inducing, slow decline into a kind of subhuman nonexistence.
Instead, we're told to trust our own judgment and see aging for what it is: a normal part of life that should be welcomed, dealt with, and added to the many other things that make up and define our lives.
After all, life's many facets—including old age, illness, disability, and long-term care—do not determine who we are as individuals.
One of the most important parts of building a healthy life is making sure that older people get good care for their health problems.
You are in a good position to make a personal care plan for your life that includes all of the key pillars needed to build a happy, healthy, sustainable, and functional life through reflective and affirmative thought, avoiding pessimism and choosing optimism, and focusing on the positive.
Making sure that older people, patients, and even family members get high-quality long-term care and that the tasks we may need help with are taken care of by professionals who treat us with the utmost care, compassion, and respect is one of the most important parts of living a healthy life that lasts.
We need to ensure that we are taken care of properly and appropriately and that our health and well-being are respected and upheld, whether it be through personal care, primary care, nursing home care, in-home care or non-medical home care, patient-centred medical home care, being a part of a retirement community, or any other form of elderly care.
The majority of our health, emotional, physical, and activities of daily living (ADL) needs are professionally met by home health care assistance services, allowing you to focus on being a vibrant, self-assured senior dynamo who is full of zest and zeal for life and is excited about the new experiences to be found with each passing day.
Continue reading to find out more about the key components of home health care services and how they can improve your quality of life.
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Experience
Make sure the healthcare aides the agency will send to you are trained, licensed, credentialed, and have the depth and breadth of expertise necessary to fulfill your needs before selecting a home health care agency to assist you with your in-home needs.
You should receive consistently high-quality service from your home health care provider, on par with the care you would receive in a skilled nursing facility.
A home health aide who has experience giving this kind of basic care should be willing to help you with any tasks, chores, ADLs, bathing, grooming, medical, or financial issues that you may not be able to handle on your own.
Always provide a patient-centred experience that considers your particular goals and preferences.
What to do: Before deciding on a home health care agency to assist you with your in-home needs, make sure the healthcare assistants the firm will send to you are trained, licensed, credentialed, and have the depth and breadth of expertise required to fulfill your needs.
Make an appointment if you can to speak with the agency and the specialist they plan to pair you with.
Bring a list of your top issues along with a selection of questions that address each one in turn.
Bring relatives and close friends with you to the interview if at all possible to get their opinion of the company's quality.
Reputation
Your home health care provider should have a stellar reputation and have unvarnished reviews that are simple to find online and elsewhere. A quick Internet search for their company name can turn up a ton of extremely helpful information that will help you make an educated decision.
Make sure you read all the available reviews, both positive and negative. You want to get the most accurate picture of the agencies' services overall, including how consistently they deliver top-notch medical treatment and use ethical business procedures.
Empathy
Assistive healthcare is built on the principles of respect, empathy, and compassion.
Some of the most common complaints about home health care aides are that they don't act professionally and are cold and uncaring. This is something that Medicaid, Medicare, and individual home health care agencies hear a lot.
The foundations of assistive healthcare are respect, empathy, and compassion; those who work in the area must be kindhearted people who are patient, understanding, and genuinely want to help seniors live better and healthier lives.
Too frequently, the allure of money and the belief that the overall quality of care will be simple will pull home health aides into this line of work.
Many people are shocked to learn that providing home health care is a hands-on process that calls for the utmost patience and understanding.
Seniors often have trouble with aides who yell, sigh, mutter sarcastically, and roll their eyes in a way that shows too much disrespect.
You deserve far better than subpar treatment. Don't let the incompetence of your home health care helper compromise the quality and vibrancy of your happy life.
Demand an immediate replacement that is of the highest grade and most appropriate for your needs. File a report with the relevant authorities.
Professionalism
While at work, your caregiver should always be at your side, in your line of sight, and within hearing distance. They are only there to assist you with your needs; they are not there for anything else.
A home health nursing care specialist is visiting your home to give you the help and attention you require to lead a happy and healthy life.
While working for you, this person must always act with the utmost professionalism.
Professionalism can mean many different things, but for the elderly and their needs for at-home care, professionalism means:
appearing on the days you're supposed to work
arriving on time and in good time for the job.
They arrive with the documents, tools, medical supplies, and accessories required for your unique care.
You will arrive in a position to take care of your needs right away.
without requiring lengthy breaks.
Not leaving without a trace during the working day and refraining from using their phone to make calls, send texts, or use the Internet while at the office
Caregiver commitment is obviously lacking from those who exhibit any of the aforementioned behaviours. You should look for a new caregiver if you get the care that isn't consistent or reliable and is often broken up by strange breaks and disappearances.
While at work, your caregiver should always be at your side, in your line of sight, and within hearing distance. They are only there to assist you with your needs; they are not there for anything else.
Affordability
Agencies offering home health care should be avoided if they advertise charges that are either absurdly low or absurdly exorbitant. The cost of high-quality home health care services often falls within a narrow range without sharp price spikes or drops.
Senior citizens all around the country frequently use home health care for a variety of reasons. Home health care services are frequently chosen due to their generally reasonable cost, in addition to the fact that they enable people to live independent, dignified lives in the comfort of their own homes.
There is often a range of prices because many home health care companies hire highly skilled and educated specialists who can help with a wide range of health problems that seniors face.
The expert who is best suited for your needs is matched with you and your budget as you decide which types of services you need.
Agencies offering home health care should be avoided if they advertise charges that are either absurdly low or absurdly exorbitant. The cost of high-quality home health care services often falls within a narrow range without sharp price spikes or drops.
By avoiding healthcare agencies that offer services for up to 80% to 90% less than comparable competitors' prices, you can avoid falling victim to fraud or unethical business practices.
Care for your loved ones as best as you can.
