The Art of Aging Well
We provide customized hourly and around-the-clock care to older adults so they can live happier, healthier lives at home.
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by: Maria Licoudis, R.N. & Care Manager
It is evident that people are living much longer than they used to. The task of analyzing the physiological, and the behavioural needs of those requiring home care can be complex to friends and family. Everyone involved bears a responsibility and concern that the clients daily living activities have been disrupted, either by a disease process or the consequences of normal aging. As caregivers, we are trained to deal with, recognize and identify both the negative and positive changes in our elderly clients.
Age-related changes may manifest and develop suddenly or gradually. We are all unique in the way we grow and age. Elderly care is a process where the client, family, friends and caregiver, work together to maximize quality of life. In our culture, few people prepare to age, and when they and their families are suddenly faced with a physiological or medical problem, making critical care decisions overwhelms them. Potential age-related problems include the loss of cognitive function, problem solving, the ability to perform activities of daily living, mobility, or the onset of a disease.
It is generally accepted that 9 of 10 seniors wish to remain at home during the aging process. Due to a lack of resources and access to care, a large portion of seniors end up in either public or private residences.
Families may have a difficult time researching the subject, as there are so many options and varying services to choose from. Finding the right plan that meets the needs of the patient is critical. At Home Care Assistance, we begin every case with a free in-home assessment with the senior and their family. Our assessments are performed by a trained Care Manager / Registered Nurse and are designed to evaluate the seniors activities of daily living, personal care requirements, medications, daily routine, personality, hobbies and interests. This information is combined into a detailed care plan that in conjunction with the family’s wishes is used to determine the appropriate level of care required.
Many of the family members we speak to believe their loved ones require full time care; this is not often the case. The majority of our clientele only require 12-24 hours of care per week. We provide a flexible solution that can evolve with our clients’ needs, keeping them in the comfort of their own homes, and often at a fraction of the cost of a private care facility. Below we’ve illustrated three individual cases with varying levels of care. Each case has a different schedule and cost associated.
Mr. & Mrs. S have lived in Cote-St-Luc, in the same house for the past 35 years. They raised their children in that home, and have no plans to move. They managed quite well over the years, but recently, Mr. S had a fall that required surgery. Mrs. S had to take over all of the daily chores during his recovery and simply couldn’t keep up. They often went for walks through Trudeau Park but since the fall they haven't been back.
The couple and their children, decided to hire a caregiver, Monica, from Home Care Assistance to come in three times a week for four hour visits. Each visit is a little different, but for instance, each week she takes care of the cleaning, laundry and other household chores that Mr. & Mrs. S were having difficulty with. Otherwise her full attention is given to Mr. S, to help with his personal care and grooming needs during his recovery. She’s able to provide Mr. S a little added support while walking and of course provides Mrs. S peace of mind that he won’t fall again. They've even resumed their walks through Trudeau Park with Monica by his side.
Solution: 4 hours/day, 3 visits/week
Approximate cost: $790/month with provincial tax credit
Mr. F is 85 years old and he has recently struggled with mobility and personal hygiene. Having been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease 2 years ago, doing simple things like buttoning up his shirt, or bathing has become very difficult. A caregiver, Alycia, is hired to help bathe him, complete his personal care and to get him dressed for the day– he still loves looking great! When all the personal care tasks have been completed, and breakfast has been served, Alycia engages him in our scientific Cognitive Therapeutics program. He loves the “brain games”, we call them cognitive exercises, especially Social Reminiscence as he enjoys talking about his children. Alycia visits Mr. F from Monday to Friday for 5 hours between 8am and 1pm. On weekends, his children rotate the duties.
Solution: 5 hours/day, 5 visits/week
Approximate cost: $1700/month with provincial tax credit
Mr. B has Parkinson's and has effectively lost all of his mobility. When he first became a Home Care Assistance client, he spent the majority of his days in bed. As his need for care was significant, we put together a team of caregivers with Parkinson's experience, all overseen by our head care manager / R.N.. Our caregivers focus primarily on his personal care needs. He now spends a good portion of the day out of bed. They accompany him on outings and getting him to his doctor’s appointments. Given the quality of care Mr. B is receiving, we are able to respect his wishes to remain at home.
Solution: Live-In Care, 7 days/week
Approximate cost: $6,000/month with provincial tax credit
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