Posts Tagged ‘Seniors’

How Much Do You Know About Senior Care?

Wednesday, April 30th, 2008
by Suzy Edris

Guess, how many of Americans are over the age of 60? Yes, millions of them. Quite a number of them are still strong and can still work for a living. However there are some of them who are already weak and forgetful. These are the group of elderly people who we commonly see in senior care facilities.

Senior care is never easy, better think again if you consider it is easy. You can ask the volunteers at senior care homes who find how taxing and serious the job is. A great deal of concern is for their health. All of us know that elderly people are more inclined to health problems because of their age and their weakening systems. In fact most of them have health problems that are being closely watched by their physicians. That is why caring for elderly people is very much similar as caring for young children because the same amount of attention, caring and caution is needed.

Below are some of the truths in senior care that you should know first before you decide to get into senior care.

1. Senior care is challenging

Don’t think that your job is just sitting the whole morning watching over your elderly while they are sleeping, you have to reevaluate your thinking. I am sorry to inform you that these people are not going to sleep the whole day. This is because most of them who are sent to senior care homes are given the chance to socialize and to do some fun activities that they like. Why I say senior care is hard work? This is because have to watch over the elderly people 24/7. Not only that, you have to take care of their meals, medicines and clothing. For those who are too weak to move, it is your responsibility to also clothe them, bathe them and even help them with their bowel movements.

2. Senior care requires more than one task

In most senior care homes a caretaker will be assigned from two to five patients per caregiver, so don’t expect to have only one charge to take care of. This is of course different if you were hired specifically for one patient or the facility that you worked in caters to the rich and the famous. Not only you are to keep an eye on your charges, but you will also be asked to make sure they take their medicines, their food intake and diet.

3. Senior care is stressful

Lastly what you have to remember is that taking care of elderly people is basically you are in charge of their health. The challenge is greater especially taking care of those who have illnesses and health conditions. Not only you must know everything about their health problems, but also their medications. If you know a bit of first aid you will go a long way in senior care.

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