Old age is a very sensitive phase. In the past, when people lived in extended families the job of taking care of the elderly in their household was shouldered equally between families. Nowadays, seniors are expected to live alone and families tend to live alone. Research shows that more than 60% of seniors need support in one form or other.
Seniors need care and comfort to lead a happy life without worries. Due to the lack of awareness among the masses about the changing behavioral patterns in the elderly, they are often abused by their family. The care not only is about medical care and supervision but also comfort care, spending time with them, assistance in daily chores, etc. Seniors love being self-reliant; but various causes like health conditions, losing cognitive abilities, lack of income make them depend on a caretaker somehow or the other. This article deals with the contribution of caretenders to the betterment of senior citizens
There can be many circumstances leading to the need of a caretender for a senior. Given below are some of the more likely scenarios:
The senior lives alone and the family is far away
The senior’s family has other commitments and no person to take care of the senior 24*7
The family members are overwhelmed and discouraged with their obligation to provide constant care to the elderly
The seniors feel they need extra support from healthcare experts
The senior is bedridden and the family is not sure of the correct approach.
And many other situations which can easily be managed by a caretender. Since a caretender would have many experiences dealing with the elderly, they can easily relate and understand their physiological needs.
Caretender for seniors and their role
Caretenders have experience and in depth knowledge in serving senior citizens according to their needs. They are specially trained in geriatric care. They are very helpful for seniors living alone without family members to take care of their needs. Caretenders can be hired for both part time and full time based on the needs of the elderly. Over the period of time, the caretaker becomes one with the senior and the family which creates bonds with the senior, leading to greater care and effective recovery.
Apart from the medical side of caretenders, they can also read a book to them, play a board game, take them out for a walk, etc to create a cheerful atmosphere for the seniors and boost them psychologically. Loneliness and not having someone to talk to is a major challenge that the elderly face. Caretenders can engage seniors in meaningful conversations and easily understand things which interest them.
In the present days when hospitals are considered as breeding grounds for the virus and seniors faced with high vulnerability and heavy movement restrictions; Caretending at home for seniors has become the new normal. Many elderly who are not able to travel to hospitals are dependent on caretenders for their medical needs. Caretenders also contribute to seniors who are well enough to be discharged to home but still need skilled healthcare professionals overseeing their recovery. They are also much in demand for the bedwridden eldelry who can not move much. Caretenders look after them with proper attention for their recovery and prevent conditions like bed sores, help in personal hygiene like bathing and grooming. More detailed blog about their contribution to bed ridden elderly can be found at 60Plus India blog - Care for the Elderly Bedridden. It is not only the diseases and conditions which affect the health of seniors, there are other causes for their degradation. One of the main issues is negligence from their families. Old people need care and supervision for their well being as well. This can also be given to them in the form of a caretender.
The sweat and hard work of the seniors in our family is the reason for us being in this position of life. Therefore it is our responsibility to take care of them when they need us. Try to shoulder their needs within the family members; if that gets hard, always remember that caretenders are there to help you and take care of the elderly in the family!
Author : Team 60Plus India
Keywords used : Caretenders, Contribution of care tenders, Care for the elderly bedridden, Caretenders for seniors, Roles of caretenders.
#tags : #caretenders #oldage #seniorneeds #elderlycare #comfortcare #selfreliant #livingalone #bedridden #roles #contribution #lonliness #conversations #family #recovery #healthcare #homenursing #elderly #seniors #seniorcitizens #60PlusIndia
