Assisted caregivers play an essential role in the society. They help in relieving members of a family the burden of taking care of their seniors or any other individuals who require close attention. Assisted caregivers provide professional services, thus giving family members the peace of mind that they require undertaking their normal routine.
But as you might have realized, there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to the needs of the elderly. Each aged person requires a different type of care, mostly depending on the prevailing health status. An individual with Alzheimer’s and dementia will require more attention than an individual with mobility problems. Fortunately, most of the assisted care facilities can take care of all your needs.
According to assisted care service Newville PA, the price charged by assisted caregivers depends on the resident’s needs and the intensity of care required. Some assisted caregivers are equipped with the knowledge of handling advanced issues such as dementia and other chronic diseases while others are trained on the basics. Therefore, a thorough assessment should be conducted to evaluate the needs of a resident and allocate an appropriate caregiver. Caregivers assist residents in many ways including:
Giving out medication
This is one of the most vital tasks of a caregiver. With age, individuals develop many health conditions such as dementia, diabetes, high-blood sugar Alzheimer’s amongst others. Use of drugs for these conditions requires vigilant monitoring. Any under-dosing or over-dosing or even skipping of these drugs can result in severe complications.
According to a study conducted by Center for Excellence in Assisted Living, an average aged person in an assisted care facility took an average of six different types of medications. Among these individuals, 80 percent of them required assistance in managing their medication.
Caregivers are trained individuals whose main role is to ensure the well-being of their clients. They are trained in basic dispensing of drugs as needed. Some of these caregivers are trained medical professionals who not only dispense the medicine when needed, but they also manage medicine requirement of their clients.
Personal care
Many aged people may need help in getting in and out of a shower or a bathtub. Such cases require a caregiver to lend a hand whenever they are needed. Caregivers will also help residents in getting dressed. If your loved one is finding trouble in choosing the appropriate dress, then a caregiver can provide a gentle assistance.
Diet monitoring
A caregiver ensures that the nutritional needs of the residents are taken care of as directed by the physician. It may include preparing meals and ensuring that the residents take balanced diet. They also ensure that the seniors take supplements as recommended by the physician.
Household maintenance and transportation
Caregivers take care of the residents shopping needs, laundry, housekeeping, handyman services and even gardening. If the resident finds it difficult, caregivers can help in taking them for appointments, family visits, and community activities.
A routine visit by a physician
Some people may require the services of a trained professional such as an occupational therapist, nurse or even a social worker. These professionals keep on monitoring the residents and help them in managing various chronic illnesses.