The Importance Of Dedicated Elder Support And Resource Services

| Friday, May 10, 2019
By Amanda Morgan


Better medical care, healthier lifestyles and many other factors have caused the average age of population in the developed world to rise steadily. People live longer but they nevertheless grow weaker when they grow older and in need of some form of care. In some cases they only need help in certain areas but many older people require long term caring. In most cases they are not mentally incompetent. With proper elder support and resource services they can still enjoy life to the full.

Unfortunately, many elderly people simply will not admit that they are no longer capable of performing all the necessary daily tasks that for part of normal life. They are scared that they will be forced into an institution where they will lose control over their own routines and where they will have to sacrifice their privacy and independence. With a caregiver, this is not necessary at all.

Elderly people often take it for granted that their own families will take care of them when they are no longer able to do so without help. Modern life is extremely hectic and most people are far too busy building their careers and looking after their own families to take care of an elderly loved one. Such a situation can quite easily cause great stress for all concerned.

Thinking that one would not ever need help from a caregiver is wishful. Official statistics show that more than eight out of ten people older than sixty will indeed need some help at some stage or another. For people that are still mentally competent, the form of help needed is normally related to physical tasks and sometime personal care issues. Being able to stay at home with a professional providing this help is certainly the better solution.

Unfortunately medical insurance does not pay for the cost of hiring a caregiver. Over the long term, such a professional can cost a lot of money and many older people have never planned for such a situation. Thinking about the high possibility of such a situation developing, it is a good idea to plan for it long in advance. There are insurance policies that specifically make provision for this need.

Many elderly people tend to become inert. One important role caregivers play is to encourage their patients to remain involved in their communities. There are many organizations that offer special programs for the elderly. Older people have much to offer and in their retirement years they have time to contribute to the efforts of charities. Keeping busy and productive is one sure way to ward off depression and loneliness.

Finding a caregiver that will match the needs, expectations and interests of the patient can be a challenge. Thankfully, there are agencies that specialize in this field and they can help to find someone that is experienced, competent and compatible with the person that they will care for. The frail elderly person who will live with the caregiver obviously need some say in the matter.

Caregivers play an important role in the lives of their patients. They allow them to continue to live life fully and in familiar and comfortable surroundings. In most cases caregivers and their patients become firm friends.




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