As we age, independent living becomes more challenging. Yet, even with physical and/or cognitive decline, nearly 90% of seniors want to remain in their current homes as they grow older. Many adult children find themselves looking for geriatric care or stepping in as family caregivers as their parents grow increasingly frail.
If you have a loved one who wants to age in place but requires regular help, this blog lists five services for older people that will enable them to stay at home without requiring you to step in as their caregiver.
6 Services for Older People Who Want to Age in Place
Some seniors are mostly capable of living independently but require minimal assistance, such as meal preparation, while others can’t function on their own without extensive daily help. In this section, we share five services for seniors with a range of needs.
1. Personal Care
Personal care offers help for aging seniors who can’t perform activities of daily living (ADLs), such as bathing, dressing, and toileting. Without the help of a professional in-home caregiver, many of these incapable seniors grudgingly move into assisted living or nursing facilities. However, companion senior care in Wisconsin is ideal for those who have mild to moderate difficulty with tasks associated with living independently.
2. Companion Care
Companionship care combats senior loneliness by helping them keep a routine, continue to enjoy their lifestyle, and engage in their favorite activities, all in the home they know and love. Caregivers that provide quality companionship assist seniors with simple day-to-day activities, making it possible for them to age in place. In addition to providing assistance for the aging at home, they are a warm and friendly presence.
3. Specialized Home Care
Some seniors require more than personal care or companionship. For example, seniors who have just experienced a stroke require specialized assistance beyond what a personal care provider can give. Specialized care supports people living with specific medical conditions and unique needs, such as:
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Heart Disease
- Cancer
- Post-surgery
One form of specialized home care is memory care at home. In this case, trained caregivers support seniors living with any type of cognitive decline, from mild memory problems to advanced dementia.
4. Local Transportation
Failing eyesight and hand-eye coordination are natural side effects of aging, but these impairments make it dangerous for seniors to drive. Without a reliable source of transportation, aging in place may not be an option. Senior transportation services help seniors run essential errands and attend doctor appointments. For example, Milwaukee County Older Adult Transportation Service (OATS) is an elder care program that provides transportation for residents that are 60 years or older.
5. Meal Delivery
Meals on Wheels and subscription-based meal delivery services are among the most popular services for older people. Although only 1% of independent older adults are malnourished, the Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (HANES) data indicates that 16% of community-based Americans over 65 years are at high risk for undernutrition. Meals on Wheels programs deliver pre-cooked meals to seniors’ front doors, ensuring seniors receive the nutrition they need for healthy aging.
6. Geriatric Care Management
For families navigating elder care programs alone, a geriatric care manager can step in to help bring clarity to the situation. A senior care manager is a sort of “professional relative” who helps adult children determine what level of care their aging loved one needs and then coordinates that care. These experienced professionals work to improve older adults’ quality of life and reduce family stress. Some geriatric care management services include guiding family members’ decisions, creating senior care plans, and advocating for your aged parents.
Find Local Senior Care in Wisconsin
If you need help caring for an aging family member, contact a home care agency like Stowell Associates that can provide you with resources for senior care in Wisconsin. Stowell Associates has a team of expert geriatric care managers ready to direct you toward local elder care programs and advise you on the next best step regarding your parents’ care.
In addition to geriatric care management, we’ve partnered with TheKey to offer home care services to our clients, taking the burden of senior care off the shoulders of adult children. From help with daily activities to specialized care designed for those with specific medical conditions, TheKey’s caregivers are ready to provide necessary services for older people.
Call us at 414-488-6491 to speak with one of our geriatric care managers about how to get assistance for the aging loved ones in your life.
