As a teenager, you probably saw a world of endless opportunity. Getting your driver’s license, graduating from high school and moving away to college, joining the military, or getting a job and starting your own family all seemed within grasp, yet still far away. All you knew was that you couldn’t wait to take the next step towards independence, even if you still relied on family to provide the essentials.
Now that you’ve reached adulthood and your parents and loved ones have hit their golden years, you see firsthand how desperately they want to maintain their independence. But as they grow older, become frail, or live with chronic medical issues, it’s harder for many seniors living independently to complete routine tasks.
Continue reading this article to learn how in-home physical therapy, adult day care service, and other services offered by a center for senior independence can help your loved one stay in their home while receiving the care and companionship they need and deserve.
What Services Are Beneficial to Seniors Living Independently?
The elderly, medically frail, and patients recovering from injuries or surgery often require more attention than family and friends can provide. In the not-so-distant past, the children or caretakers of these patients typically had two options: give up their careers to become full-time care providers or place their loved ones in a nursing home.
Thanks to the growing number of centers for senior independence and in-home care organizations, you don’t have to make that choice. Let’s examine some of your in-home and adult day health care options.
Adult Day Care Service
It’s easy for seniors living independently to start feeling isolated, especially if their spouse has passed or their children have moved away. If your loved one doesn’t require the attentive personal care offered by an assisted living facility or a personal care provider, an adult day care center might be just what you’re looking for. Adult day care services help older adults stay engaged through social activities in a safe and comfortable environment outside their home.
Games, arts and crafts, and other fun activities keep the minds of older adults sharp. The abundance of social interaction at day centers helps seniors living independently avoid feeling alone, frustrated, or forgotten about. Day services also provide nutritious meals and snacks for your loved one to help maintain their health and comfort.
In-Home Physical Therapy for Seniors
In-home physical therapy for seniors recovering from medical procedures, injuries, or declining mobility can help your loved one regain their strength, range of motion, balance, and endurance. Physical therapists design treatment plans that address the specific needs of your loved one and help seniors living independently move without pain and discomfort.
Occupational Therapy for the Medically Frail and Elderly
Seniors living independently must be able to perform activities of daily living if they want to stay in their homes with minimal assistance. Things like getting dressed or taking a shower that were once taken for granted may not be possible after surgery.
Occupational therapy services help your loved one improve or maintain the fine motor skills that allow them to live safely at home rather than move into a long-term care facility. Therapeutic service providers help care recipients overcome limitations and create safe, effective alternatives for challenging tasks.
Speech Therapy for Older Adults and Temporarily Disabled Persons
One of the biggest deterrents to seniors living independently is the inability to communicate. Whether their speech was affected by a stroke or their vocal cords are naturally weakening with age, older adults need to be able to voice their problems, opinions, and needs.
In-home speech therapy services partner a certified speech therapist with those in need. Through vocal and swallowing exercises, a care recipient can resolve issues affecting language, communication, and cognition.
Senior Companion Care
As much as we all cherish our independence, it comes at a cost. Seniors living independently often don’t want to leave their homes because of familiarity, pride, or many other reasons. But the comforts of home can also lead to loneliness and isolation. Senior companion care services allow your loved one to build personal relationships, remain stimulated, and engage with others.
A lonely lifestyle is linked to an increased risk of stroke, dementia, and early death. Simply having someone to talk to and confide in can tremendously impact the well-being and mental health of older adults. Along with companionship, senior care providers assist with daily activities like meal preparation, housekeeping, and transportation.
Home Care Services for Seniors Living Independently
Commuting to centers for senior independence and adult day care services may not be suitable for some elderly or medically frail people. If you’re responsible for a senior living independently who doesn’t want to move to a nursing home or assisted living facility but needs care, you have options.
Personal Care
Personal care services help your loved one age in place while maintaining a high quality of life when dealing with chronic illness, injury, or impairment. Personal care aides assist seniors struggling to perform activities of daily life, such as cooking, eating, bathing, and dressing.
The elderly and medically frail also benefit from the friendship, presence, and understanding their aide provides.
Respite Care
Being the primary caregiver for a loved one can be mentally, physically, and financially draining. If attending to your elderly parent or friend has left you needing a break, respite care is for you.
Respite care services offer temporary assistance while you take a much-deserved break or deal with other pressing issues. Caregivers provide the same level of care and compassion as primary caretakers. Professionals work with you to determine a personalized plan of care that ensures your loved one receives the attention they’re used to.
MDC Healthcare Helps Seniors Living Independently Make the Most Out of Life
Whether it’s the social benefits of adult day care services or the rehabilitation of in-home physical therapy for seniors, MDC helps seniors living independently live safely at home. We have built our reputation as Atlanta’s most trusted home care provider by always putting the needs of the elderly and medically frail above all else.
Our team of certified caregivers includes native speakers of 18 different languages, allowing us to serve communities of many races, ethnicities, and cultures. Contact MDC today if you’re interested in helping a senior living independently stay at home and receive the care, companionship, and assistance they deserve.
