With new advances in technology and medicine, more elderly people are able to stay in the comfort of their own home as they age. Durable medical equipment, advanced surgical care and home health care assistance provide help so that many people can still live independently. Family members and friends are also able to find reprieve and respite with the help of volunteer organizations and medical alert systems.
Durable Medical Equipment
One of the most important services that an elderly person and her caregivers should be knowledgeable about is Durable Medical Equipment, or DME. DME can include items like hospital beds, over-the-bed tables, lift chairs, wheelchairs, shower chairs, ramps, shower handles, life alert systems, oxygen tanks and walkers.
DME can be purchased through any medical supplier or hospital-related agency. The best way to get the right DME for each individual is to seek assistance through the patient's primary care physician. He will be able to write a prescription or an order to have certain types of equipment delivered to the patient's home---sometimes free of charge if they bill Medicare or private insurance.
Home Health Care Agencies
Home health care agencies generally provide a broad range of home care services such as nursing care, bathing, feeding assistance, hospice care and respite care. They generally have a team of qualified professionals that will visit the patient daily, weekly or monthly depending on each patient's individual needs. Some home health care agencies will come out to the home to bathe patients daily or to simply give the caregiver a break. They can also stay overnight or for several hours at a time to provide respite care and companionship to elderly individuals in need.
Handicap Accessible
Making an elderly person's home handicap-accessible will help her get around easier and more safely. Installing a handicap ramp in and out of the home makes for easy wheelchair access. Large rails or shower handles will assist in preventing falls while bathing. A walk-in shower with a shower chair installed will assist caregivers with helping with showers. Making entry ways wider by removing doors can provide extra space for a wheelchair to get through.
Caregivers Aids
A caregiver being able to easily and properly care for an invalid patient or someone who cannot care for himself is essential in caring for the elderly at home. Having the right kind of tools or aids will make the job easier and ease the physical stress on the caregiver. One helpful aid may include a Hoyer Lift, which will allow the caregiver to mechanically lift the patient in and out of bed. A shower chair allows the caregiver to bathe the patient while she is comfortable and safely sitting down, reducing the risk of falls.
Daily Care
Daily care is important when caring for the elderly at home. Getting them out of bed, preparing and feeding them meals, bathing and dressing are all important aspects of daily care. When caring for the elderly, their needs have to be met constantly---especially if they require medical treatment or a special diet. This could mean turning bed-bound patients every couple of hours, giving bed baths, caring for wounds or taking vital signs and blood sugar levels every two to four hours.
