Furthermore, digital platforms have the capacity to facilitate communication between carers, elderly individuals, and their families. This guarantees that everyone involved in the care process is kept updated about relevant happenings and can each contribute to the care plan.
As it effectively replaces parts of human interaction and care, the implementation of technology within elderly home care should be done in a thoughtful manner.
Therefore, it is always important to consider the preferences and abilities of the person as not every individual may be entirely comfortable with the use of such technology.
The Role of the Family in Elderly Care
The role of family members in home care for the elderly is a dominant one. Family members frequently assume the role of caregivers for the elderly, imparting companionship and assisting relatives with tasks like food preparation and medication administration.
Familiarity with the older person’s habits and preferences is a significant advantage, consequently heightening the quality of individualised care.
It is important to note that providing home care for an elderly loved one can be a rewarding experience, potentially strengthening family bonds and offering the individual with a sense of comfort and security. The prospect can also be daunting, however, as balancing care demands with work and other family responsibilities can bring certain challenges.
This makes it necessary for family carers to take care of their own well-being and make sure that they have the necessary respite to maintain their role. It may then happen that a family chooses to hire a live-in carer to provide full-time support which relieves the pressure, whilst still allowing the elderly person to be professionally cared for in a familiar environment.
In some cases, family members may find themselves eligible for direct payments from the local authority to make the caregiving services easier. This can be used to pay for services, equipment, or adaptations to the home.
Caring for an elderly relative can therefore be both emotionally and physically challenging, and so family caregivers should be mindful of their own health and wellbeing. It is key to recognise that support groups and respite care can be instrumental in this respect.
Adapting the Home for Elderly Care
When providing support at home, the suitability of the home environment must be considered. Home adaptations can significantly improve the quality of life for elderly individuals by enabling them to navigate their homes safely and comfortably.
These adaptations could include installing grab bars in the bathroom, adding a stairlift, or even simplifying the layout of the home to minimise tripping hazards.
Other structural adaptations take into consideration the daily living needs of the elderly individual.
Modifying the kitchen to make meal preparation easier or rearranging the living room to create a comfortable relaxation and social interaction space will contribute to the end goal of creating a home environment which is supportive of the elderly individual’s independence and well-being.
Although home adaptations can be costly, means-tested grants from social services are available to help cover the costs. This occurs once a home assessment has been conducted by the local authority to identify the necessary adaptations and provide guidance on available funding. Therefore, seeking professional advice is a good idea to guarantee that home adaptations a meet specific needs
As home adaptations can be challenging, there are many resources readily available to provide assistance. This is typically through specialist home modification services and occupational therapists. For instance, occupational therapists can conduct a thorough home assessment, and will identify risks, recommend appropriate adaptations, and provide further information on potential funding support.