What Does The Other Side Of The Hill Look Like For Those Of Us Getting Older

| Thursday, August 4, 2011
By John Brennon


While you age, the idea that you might not have the ability to take care of yourself or live at home becomes clearer. The decision to give up your own home may be on the list of hardest decisions that you will ever make. But it's a fact that you might not have to give up your home right away? It's true. Knowing what the different aging care choices are can help you make the decision that gets you the right level of care for your stage of life.

Do not forget that in case you are selecting a health care facility or care method for a loved one, you need to be realistic. It is always hard to accurately view the health needs of a parent or relative since you want to think they are capable and in good health. But ignoring the needs of certain medical conditions, whether the wandering tendencies of an Alzheimer's patient or the tremors of a person with Parkinson's can actually do them harm.

Do you feel that you are in good health but need assistance with daily chores and tasks? If you're still mentally aware, have good balance and mobility, and are not in an altered mental state, you could probably remain in your home and simply hire a nurse to come in. This can be great for some health conditions such as diabetes, where some specialised foot care may be needed but overall health is still fairly good.

You may look at a retirement residence as a good transition from your home. You want to make sure that the facility you choose has activities you will enjoy and enough privacy and independence that you will feel at home there. Look at this place as somewhere you will want to live for a long time. Health care methods and advances in medical care can keep you around for many years to come.

The next step in aging care is normally a nursing home. This is often reserved for people who are physically unable to care for themselves. You will often live in a ward, although some facilities do have private or semi-private rooms. The facilities are often set up more like a hospital than an apartment complex. They normally have ways of handling people with diseases like Alzheimer's or dementia, since these individuals like to wander and may need watching and extra security measures.

Once aging has reached a very advanced stage, you may need to use palliative care to provide you with personal care until you pass on. This can be a hard decision to make especially since it is normally being made on behalf of a loved one, instead of by the loved one themselves.

It's good to think beyond the immediate situation when determining whether a specialized aging care arrangement is best for your family. By studying the aging process and any specific needs you have, you can find a facility that may help you grow old gracefully and enjoy any remaining years you have.




About the Author:



0 comments:

Post a Comment