At Like Family Home Care, we make a significant effort to improve how our seniors live day to day and the level of confidence that families have in us.
Here's one thing that's part of that overall work that companies overlook at their peril.
It's about knowing the person's needs. How does that happen?
Well, for one thing, you listen. You listen to the elderly person who needs care and their family members. Also, you observe. You note the elderly person's situation and what they are likely to need.
Another best practice is putting together files or dossiers for each client. That's your go-to resource for the information you need to determine what kinds of care to provide and how to provide it. In a way, it's like some of the new software services companies use to track clients and customers. But there's also a prominent human element to it in this business.
We're not "all about computers," but instead, using technology thoughtfully and deliberately.
Transportation
The more you know about your senior's routine, the better you know how to work around appointments and needs for transportation.
So having a detailed itinerary in the file helps in a big way. Remember that frequently a caregiver is collaborating with a family on some sort of scheduled routine, which will be useful in that regard.
Diet
We spend a lot of time with this one. A person's diet has quite an impact on their life and lifestyle. It's a question of sourcing the right food items. Still, it's also useful in looking at medications, recreational or fitness activities, and more.
In many cases, the diet is linked to conditions that an elderly person may have. Diabetes is one, but there are many others as well.
In fact, looking at blood sugar is another key component of caring for a senior well.
Home Safety
Another key part of the observation is looking at where accidents would be most likely to happen around the home.
Then you actively plan to prevent those by implementing systems that will help with senior mobility.
People are familiar with older items like stair lifts and bathroom bars.
However, a lot of exciting new technology is coming down the pike here, and that's another thing to think about when collaborating with families. People might not know how to safeguard their senior family member's safety. So that's an opportunity to explore new options.
All of this contributes to a care model that's second to none. We're proud of our work in helping seniors to age in place. Talk to us about getting assistance!
