In recent years, the United States has witnessed significant demographic transformation caused by a rapidly aging population. Currently, more than 46 million Americans are above 65 years. As a result, the demand for senior care services has increased at a rapid pace. Since old age is a sensitive stage of life, the seniors require consistent care and support to lead a healthy and comfortable life.
Why Is Senior Care Important?
As someone grows older, they experience physical, emotional, and mental changes that cause them to depend on others for assistance. For instance, the bones and muscles begin to weaken, they lose hearing and eyesight, and mobility is often impaired.
Most of the senior citizens also have at least one of the common age-related health conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and stroke. They may also lose their cognitive functions due to dementia.
Since seniors are often in poor mental or physical health, they can do little on their own. Although they need around-the-clock care, they are often neglected, mistreated, or not adequately cared for. Thus, senior care becomes the only viable option.
Choosing Senior Care Services
Senior care services today take two main types:
- In-home care
- Assisted living facility
Sometimes, when you can't take care of your elderly loved one at home, you can take them to an assisted living facility. These facilities have the following benefits:
- The seniors meet and socialize with people with common problems
- They get assistance with daily activities, such as eating, dressing, and bathing
- Most of these facilities have a home-like setting
However, assisted living facilities are becoming increasingly unpopular with the emergence of senior care at home. Through this new care model, your aging parent can receive care and assistance at home.
Here are the three main reasons why many people choose in-home care:
- Most Seniors Have a Connection With Their Homes — Receiving care at home ensures that the aged person feels comfortable and safe. Being surrounded by loved ones gives them a sense of freedom and security.
- In-Home Care Guarantees Personalized Care — Most nursing homes and assisted living facilities are overcrowded and have a shortage of staff. Thus, the needs of the elderly are often overlooked. However, home caregivers provide one-on-one care in a more intimate setting.
- It Maintains Independence — In most cases, seniors who are taken to assisted living facilities feel helpless, defeated, and bitter. However, being cared for at home gives them a sense of independence and comfort.
Conclusion
Old age is characterized by a significant decline in health and wellbeing. The biological effects of aging lead to more mental and physical health problems. Thus, senior care is vital.
Older adults sometimes see nursing care as an all-or-nothing scenario. They assume they are either at home living independently, or they are in a nursing home where everything is done for them. This is not really the case, however. There are plenty of in-between options for older adults who need some care, but who may not need full nursing assistance yet. Assisted living centers allow this flexibility. Your older loved one can simply have their meals provided for them, or they can have around-the-clock care — or somewhere in-between. We invite you to explore the content provided to learn more.