Understanding Personal Care and Daily Living Assistance
The senior community is a major part of Ohio. According to the Ohio Department of Aging, the state has around 2.8 million residents over 60. Older adults must have access to the resources they need to live fulfilled and healthy lives.
Assisted living communities offer numerous services that are designed to care for seniors. Understanding personal care and daily living assistance is essential to maintaining the quality of life and independence of your loved one. You want to ensure they're matched with the right services they require to meet their needs.
This blog will discuss the basics of daily living assistance and personal care in senior living communities. We'll also talk about how you can determine if this is the level of care you or your loved one needs.
Understanding Personal Care in Senior Living Communities
Personal care services are designed to help seniors navigate their daily tasks. Older adults can maintain their independence and dignity while getting assistance with their daily care routines. Some of the tasks that are included in personal care services include:
- Personal hygiene assistance
- Meal preparation
- Dressing
- Medication management
- Errand running
A senior may be suited for an independent living community. However, receiving help from a trained caregiver gives them and their loved ones peace of mind.
No two residents require the same type of personal care services. That's why senior living communities create personalized care plans tailored to their unique needs and preferences.
The Role of Daily Living Assistance in Enhancing Quality of Life
Daily living assistance and personal care services go hand in hand. Many assisted living communities use the acronym ADLs or Activities of Daily Living. This phrase is utilized to describe a person's basic personal care tasks. These tasks are ones that the individual needs to do on their own when living independently.
It's normal for these tasks to become more difficult for a person to complete as they age. You or your loved one may require personal care services if it's becoming more difficult to execute these daily tasks.
Examples of these activities include:
- Dressing
- Showering and bathing
- Mobility
What Are Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs)?
IADLs refer to more complicated activities a person does to care for their home and themselves. These tasks require specific skill sets, including:
- Problem-solving
- Organizing
- Planning
ADLs are considered fundamental to a person's life. IADLs allow seniors to manage their affairs and continue living independently. Some examples of IADLs are:
- Managing money
- Home maintenance
- Housekeeping
- Driving
- Using the computer or phone
- Shopping
Who Needs Personal Care and Daily Living Assistance?
Personal care and daily living assistance services are designed for older adults who need a helping hand. Unfortunately, it's not always clear when a person needs help. Seniors aren't always willing to ask for help and relinquish their independence.
There are some signs family members and friends can look out for if they're feeling concerned, such as:
- Changes in appearance due to issues with grooming or dressing
- Minor injuries or wounds indicating falls or slips
- Weight changes caused by an inability to shop or prepare meals
- Late notices, unpaid bills, or lapses in medication renewals
- Messy home or signs of limited housekeeping abilities
- Irritability or other unusual behavior
If moving into a senior living community that offers personal care assistance could improve your loved one's quality of life, you may want to explore help.
Understanding Personal Care and Daily Living Assistance
It makes sense that understanding personal care and daily living assistance for your loved one or yourself can be a complicated task. Deciding that extra care is needed or an elderly daily aid can be overwhelming. In addition to feeling more secure, there are numerous benefits everyone can enjoy when they look into personal care services.
Continual Professional Care
While personal care solutions are designed to meet an individual's needs, they'll still have access to professional care whenever they need it. Many seniors experience anxiety when living alone, fearing they'll hurt themselves and no one will be around. A personal care community allows the resident to feel supported and safe at all times.
Comfortable and Clean Living Space
It can be a lot of work to take care of a home, especially if you have a large yard as well. These chores become more difficult if the senior has mobility issues.
Residents in a personal care community have the perks of living alone without the hassle of doing all the work. Personal care communities offer numerous floor plans that are designed to meet seniors' unique needs while offering:
- Convenience
- Comfort
Limitless Independence
Residents in personal care communities receive the level of care they need and want. Seniors can take advantage of maximum independence while having their safety and health preserved. Staff can adjust their services to the resident's needs and leave the rest to the person.
High-Quality Social Life
It can be isolating for many seniors who live alone. According to the JAMA Network, around 37% of older adults feel lonely.
One of the biggest advantages of living in a senior community is that residents have a built-in social life. They can choose what they participate in, including:
- Exercise classes
- Game nights
- Movies
- Art and history classes
- Yoga
- Local outings and attractions
Being surrounded by other seniors and community members makes their lives more fulfilling. They have the opportunity to learn new skills and explore current hobbies. Residents can also make new friends while nurturing their current relationships.
Explore Personal Care Solutions in Cambridge, OH
Understanding personal care and daily living assistance is the first step to ensuring your loved one receives the care they need. Pursuing personal care services allows seniors to maintain their independence while getting their needs met. One of the best things about it is this all happens in a secure environment where they're surrounded by their peers.
Cardinal Place Assisted Living in Cambridge is here to provide you and your loved ones with peace of mind. We offer numerous levels of care, chef-prepared meals, and other amenities. Contact our office to schedule a tour of our senior living community and learn more about assisted living tips.