Exploring the Advantages of Personal Care Assistance

As we age, daily activities that were once part of our routine can become more challenging. Personal care assistance ensures seniors get the help to make their lives easier. It allows them to enjoy residing in a community where they get professional support 24/7.

A study by the National Council on Aging shows that in 2022, there were 57.8 million people in the US over 65 years. If you have an elderly loved one, you may wonder about senior care benefits and whether to move them into an assisted living community.

In this article, we'll cover the advantages of personal care assistance to help you identify how this decision will help them. We will also provide tips for choosing the best senior living community in Kansas City.

Preserving Senior's Independence and Dignity

Elderly assistance provides support while maintaining your loved one's independence. They get help with daily living tasks to continue participating in other activities they love. Such may include:

Playing card games with peers
Socializing
Fitness activities

Caregivers offering personal care allow your loved one to be involved in their daily activities. For example, they may help them bathe and dress, but the seniors will choose what to wear and dress themselves where they can.

The involvement gives them a sense of control over their life and promotes independence. It improves their mental health because seniors who feel in control are less likely to feel anxious or depressed.

Increased Safety and Comfort

Seniors face an increased risk of falls, which are one of the leading causes of injury in older adults. Personal care assistance lowers the risk of accidents by ensuring your loved one gets help with mobility. It guarantees a safe living environment where they can ask for help when necessary.

Your loved one will frequently visit home for the holidays or to catch up with the family. Personal care aids can help you make your home safer by recommending modifications. Such may include adding grab bars in bathrooms and removing items that are tripping hazards.

With personal care assistance, your loved one will be more comfortable whether they are visiting home or in senior living.

Customized Care

Every senior has different needs based on their health, abilities, and personal preferences. One may need full-time support, while another will require help just a few hours a week.

Senior living communities can customize personal care services based on your loved ones' needs. They will also consider their lifestyle, health condition, and interests.

As seniors grow older, their health and mobility may decline, so they will need a different level of care. Aides tailor personal assistance to ensure your loved one gets the appropriate level of help.

Support for Your Family

A National Center of Biotechnology Information report shows that family caregivers offer care at least 23.7 hours weekly. About 1 in every five caregivers also dedicates 41 hours weekly to family care.

Caring for your loved one is noble but may also make working or schooling harder. You may experience burnout and stress, eventually affecting your mental health.

Personal care assistance relieves stress by ensuring your loved one has a caregiver. The experts will handle their everyday needs, allowing you to work and give your family members a better quality of life.

Such services also allow you to spend more time with your loved one without worrying about managing their care.

Support Services Included in Personal Care Assistance

Personal care assistance focuses on helping seniors with tasks that become more difficult with age. They will get different forms of support, including:

Bathing
Dressing and grooming
Mobility assistance
Medication management
Meal preparation and feeding
Continence care

Personal care aides can help your loved one maintain proper hygiene, which boosts their confidence and well-being. They will also assist them with walking and transfer them from their beds to chairs to avoid falls and injuries.

Many older adults often have difficulty remembering to take their medication correctly. Personal care aides ensure your loved one stays on top of their health needs by helping them manage their doses.

A healthy diet helps seniors get the nutrition they need to stay healthy and avoid diseases. With personal care assistance, they will enjoy nutritious meals and get help eating. Aides will also assist your loved one in using the bathroom or managing incontinence with dignity.

What to Consider When Looking for Personal Care Assistance

When looking for personal care services for a loved one, you should ensure their caretaker will treat them with love and dignity. Consider factors such as:

Having the right training
Clear communication
Ability to offer compassionate care

Caring for seniors with medical conditions or mobility challenges needs specific skills. When looking for personal care services, ensure a senior living community has caregivers with senior care training.

Ask about their qualifications and how they handle challenges like dementia and mobility issues. Their employees should have the right expertise and adequate experience. The community should also offer continuous learning to ensure their team stays updated with elderly care.

When you choose a personal care provider, you will work with them to ensure your loved one gets the needed care. You may need regular updates from the community about the senior's well-being.

A good personal care provider should involve you and provide frequent updates. They must communicate changes in your loved one's health or adjustments in the care plan.

While skills and training are critical, compassion and patience determine the quality of care your loved one gets. The most suitable assisted living community is one that supports seniors with kindness and respect. It should offer compassionate care by listening to your loved ones' concerns and building trust.

Enjoy the Advantages of Personal Care Assistance in Kansas

Personal care assistance protects your loved one's dignity and ensures they get help when needed. When looking for a senior living community, prioritize one offering compassionate care. You should also ensure their staff have proper training and expertise.

At Addington Place of Prairie Village, we can help you explore the advantages of personal care assistance. We have a compassionate and understanding team focusing on care for seniors.