Senior Home Care
Aging Senior and Caregiver
What is Home Care?
At Meaningful Living, we pride ourselves in providing exceptional home care to seniors who want to maintain their health, integrity, and independence. Many seniors prefer to continue living in the comfort of their own homes, and those with complex medical conditions can often sustain their independence with just some support.
The term “Home Care” can be used interchangeably with words such as “non-medical care” or “personal care.” Home care is a service by which a caregiver is assigned to assist with day-to-day tasks in order to help seniors continue to live in accordance with their customs and preferences. These day-to-day tasks are not limited and consist of a range of duties.
The Benefits of Senior Care
There are many benefits for choosing Home Care. These benefits can be seen from both a physical and mental perspective.
Maintains dignity
Seniors want to feel just as worthy as any other human, despite any challenges they may battle with. Home care allows seniors to maintain their dignity as they age. It is important for anyone to feel respected and valued, even when needing the aid of others. Any relationship is held together through the shared recognition to feel understood and recognized. We all desire to be heard, seen, and listened to. These values align with dignity, and this is maintained through senior care. When a caregiver is assigned to a client, they get to know the person as a whole. They come to understand their strengths and weaknesses, their likes and dislikes, and their wants and needs. Within senior care, clients still have the right to make personal choices, allowing them to have a sense of control over their own life, while still being there for support. Clients have the ability to decide what they want to wear, what they want to eat, or even what they want to do for the day. Although this may seem like a given, this is not always the case in other forms of care. Congruent with dignity is independence. Home care allows seniors to retain maximum independence, providing them with the opportunity to preserve a better quality of life for themselves. In-home care extends beyond simply doing things ‘for’ them. Because caregivers truly get to know their clients as humans, they gain the ability to implement activities to maintain an independent, healthy spirit and body.
Comfort
Another primary benefit of home care is that seniors are able to continue living in their homes, a place that is most familiar and comfortable to them. Being surrounded by a familiar environment can be particularly beneficial for those that suffer from progressive conditions such as alzhimers and dementia. Seniors have the ability to continue their daily routines through being able to do such things as sleep in their own bed and use their own bathroom.
Personalized Care
When choosing home care, another advantage is that you are able to curate a customized plan that fits not only the clients, but family’s needs. Home care is extremely adaptable and flexible. These plans are made for what is best for each individual client. Some people may only need a few hours of care, while others may require 24 hour care. Regardless, home care adapts to these needs and eliminates having to adjust to the schedules or routines of an alternative care facility.
Faster Recovery
Many studies have found that receiving care from home can allow people to heal faster if recovering from surgery or illness. Research also suggests that one's risk of developing infection is significantly lowered when being cared for from home.
Companionship
It is not uncommon for seniors to feel lonely and experience social isolation for those that live alone. This can lead to a decline in not just mental, but physical health. Caregivers are not just there to help with household duties, but provide seniors with a meaningful human connection. Having a familiar face around the house who is able to simply engage in friendly conversation can have a large impact on the overall health and well-being of a senior.
Peace of Mind
We worry about our loved ones, even if they are able to perform day to day tasks. The thought of them being alone can be frightening when we think of them potentially falling or getting injured while doing daily activities such as cooking or using the shower. There is a sense of ease in knowing that your loved one has an extra helping hand and is being well cared for.
Role of Caregiver
The role of a caregiver is becoming increasingly acknowledged as an important one, as the aging population increases all around the world. Homecare services are provided by caregivers, and they are there to help seniors with the activities of daily living. These activities include a wide variety of duties. It is important to understand that each client is different and has different needs. Fortunately, home care is personalized to each individual client. Someone who deals with a chronic illness or disease will need different support from someone who is frail or disabled.
Communication is a fundamental component of being a caregiver. Good communication ensures that care is received with both dignity and respect. In addition, it is essential that the caregiver remains in constant contact with the client's health care provider to make certain that the client stays in good physical health. In order to properly care for a client, it is also important that caregivers remains in close contact with their client. Caregivers are responsible for constantly monitoring both their physical and mental health.
The communication between caregivers and doctors can be impactful because oftentimes, seniors are not entirely forthcoming in regards to their mental and physical needs. It is common for seniors to downplay their challenges when talking to their doctors. Caretaker’s place importance in honest communication between doctors and patients. This is done through upholding a patient’s need for treatment options, especially when the patient cannot, or chooses not to speak up for themselves. Caregivers also provide emotional support when communicating with doctors and their clients. It can be extremely overwhelming when faced with a serious diagnosis, resulting in emotional and physical turmoil. Therefore caregivers take it upon themselves to provide encouragement and support for their client. They place importance on being open to sharing feelings and continuously remain empathetic to any situation a senior may have to deal with.
The daily tasks of a caregiver range from shopping for groceries, preparing meals, and helping the client eat, to transporting them to and from appointments, errands and activities. Caregivers are also typically responsible for managing the clients medication. They may also be responsible for cleaning around the house, and making sure the client lives in a tidy and hygienic environment.
Meaningful Living
Every home care organization is run a bit differently. At Meaningful Living, we provide both dependable and compassionate care in London, Ontario. We ensure that seniors and older adults are able to live their lives in a healthier and happier way, while staying in the comfort of their homes. We are devoted to helping seniors gain access to personalized home care.
Aging Senior
Approach
Meaningful Living prioritizes helping seniors maintain their independence and integrity through home care. Care options are not limited to one structured plan. Instead, our approach allows us to provide personalized care plans for each client. These plans are designed to meet each client's specific needs. Meaningful Living is a locally owned business and we aim to assure that every family in and around London has access to dependable and individualized in-home care.
Our Caregivers
We provide clients with caregivers that have a high degree of patience and empathy. These values are essential for helping people in their most vulnerable states. The meaningful living team consists of compassionate caregivers that go through an extensive screening process. They must complete a criminal background check, and a psychological test. We also ensure that our caregivers have relevant work and educational experience. We hold our caregivers to a high standard, and only hire individuals that are dedicated, qualified, and passionate about providing quality care to the seniors in our community.
Family-Managed Home Care
Meaningful Living has just recently implemented Family-Managed home care, which is a new care model brought to Ontario. The plan allows eligible clients to receive funding, used to purchase home care services or employ care providers. Family-managed home care is designed to provide more control over care to clients and families. This model allows care clients and their families more flexibility. Instead of being assigned to a caregiver, they are able to choose a care provider that best fits the needs and schedules of the clients and their families.
In Ontario, the Local Health Integration Network is responsible for the regional administration of public health care services, and is made up of health authorities. LHIN’s are in control of planning, incorporating, and distributing provincial funding for all public healthcare services regionally. Clients that are interested in Family Managed home care are required to complete an assessment by the LHIN. This assessment is designed to determine the clients needs and see if they are eligible for conventional home care.
Family-managed home care is accessible for the following people:
Children with complex medical needs
Adults with an acquired brain injury
Home-schooled children with qualifying health care needs
Those in extraordinary circumstances
For more information on how Family-managed home care works and if you are eligible, you can contact your local LHIN.
Services Offered
Each client at meaningful living is offered both long and short term independent elder care. Our team of passionate and dedicated caregivers work diligently to provide each client with customized care that is tailored to our clients’ individual needs. Some of our services include:
Home Care and Personal Care
Home and Personal Care aides to support our clients in their strive to maintain an independent and healthy lifestyle in the comfort of their homes.
Palliative and Respite Care
Palliative care is recognized as a more specialized method of care required for people living with a more serious illness. This type of care focuses on providing relief from the stress and symptoms of any given illness. It is based on the needs of the patient, and not necessarily on the patient’s prognosis. Above all, this caregiving approach is focused on optimizing the quality of life of a client.
Respite care is usually referred to as planned or emergency temporary care. Caregiving is a demanding job that not everyone is equipped for. Many families turn to respite care when overwhelmed by caring for their loved ones or cannot do so for any given reason. They may need some support short-term. Therefore, respite care provides temporary relief to people or family members who take on the caregiver role, enabling them to take a much-needed break.
Meal Preparation and Grocery Shopping
Many factors can make it difficult for a senior to prepare their own food such as fatigue, stress, sensitivity to odors, or any other side effect. Additionally, cognitive changes such as memory loss present safety hazards for a senior. Therefore, food preparation is an important role taken on by a caregiver.
Along with meal preparation, grocery shopping may be a tiring activity and can cause stress on a senior. A client with little stamina may be unable to grocery shop for themselves. For a client with other circumstances, they may only need a ride to the store or help unloading their items into the car. This is where the caregiver can come in and provide support.
Companionship and Home Cleaning
Although our caregivers are hired to support seniors with the tasks of everyday living, they also support clients through being a companion. As they help with daily living tasks, our caregivers develop close ties with their clients. Our caregivers are able to provide emotional support through socialization.
For seniors, it can be a difficult challenge to keep their home clean and presentable. Although generic cleaning tasks may simply seem bothersome to people, they can become physically exhausting, stress-inducing, or even dangerous. This is especially true for chores such as washing dishes, mopping, scrubbing toilets, or vacuuming. It can lead to accidents or falls. In addition, some seniors may simply just desire to spend less time cleaning their home and more time on their own hobbies and interests. Home cleaning involves a wide variety of housekeeping services such as decluttering and sorting, to deep cleaning the house.
Monitoring Medication
Many seniors that require home care need assistance in managing their medication. Managing medication is an important and necessary part of their day-to-day routine. A person that lives with a long-standing illness may have an intricate medication regimen. They often need multiple medications and doses at specific times throughout the day. Caregivers may help manage a client's medication through going to the pharmacy to gather their medications, helping them with certain medication devices, or actually administering their medication.
Bathing and Dressing
Showering and bathing keeps clients feeling fresh and clean, but more importantly, it is an essential part of their health and well-being. The same applies for getting dressed and undressed everyday. Caregivers will help their clients complete these tasks, letting their client do as little or as much as possible.
Running Errands
Meaningful Living home care helps seniors perform a variety of tasks, including meal preparation, companionship, cleaning, and medication reminders. Apart from these central duties, caregivers may also be tasked with running errands on their clients behalf.
Scenic Drives
Scenic Drives can support a seniors mental health in many ways. A change in scenery can be particularly beneficial for those who spend a lot of time indoors. Scenic drives can also help to clear the mind, practice mindfulness, and de-stress.
24 Hour Care and Overnight Stays
For seniors with extenuating circumstances, they may need round-the-clock assistance. Meaningful Living provides this for their clients. Overnight stays and live-in services are also available.
Additional services available at Meaningful Living include special needs care, foot care, and accompaniment to doctor’s appointments, dinners, and events. We can also arrange for physiotherapist, massage therapist, and hygienist visits to client’s homes.
Senior Care vs. Nursing Homes/Alternative Care
It is only natural that as we age, we lose the ability to maintain the lives we once had. It is not always a realistic option to depend on our family members or friends. Luckily, seniors can turn to home care, nursing homes, or alternative care services for support. Home care serves seniors many benefits that may make this service more preferable than nursing homes or alternative care. It is especially a favourable solution when your loved one does not require medical care, and instead needs assistance living independently in their home. Nursing homes are better suited for seniors who cannot cope living at home and require medical attention. In this instance, nursing homes hire nurses who are qualified to provide medical care at a high level.
Personalized Care
Throughout our lives, the environment where one ages has a significant impact on their health and state of mind. A world of difference can be seen when a loved one is able to obtain care in the comfort of their home. Even when provided with the best accommodation and well-intention, other care facilities often don’t compare to the comfort and familiarity of an individual's home. This is why Meaningful Living is dedicated to providing seniors with the highest standard of in-home care. Above all, we want to ensure that seniors and older adults get to live their happiest and healthiest lives.