Elderly home care providers are becoming popular in various cities across India, and this is due to the growing population of senior citizens in the country. This is an expected projection, since time passes and nobody’s getting younger. But while elderly care services are becoming a mainstream in India’s society, it’s still a new concept, and not everyone is open to bringing their elderly family members under the care of professionals just yet.
Elderly home care services are practical and convenient at first glance, but for tight-knit families, this can be a major no-no. This is because they would be away from their aging parents and only see them occasionally, and the thought of it may seem like they’re neglecting their elderly loved ones. But how should one look at elderly home care service providers, particularly those that are being offered in India?
If you are looking for features that are worth subscribing to in an elderly home, then here are the top things to check out:
- Comfortable facilities
Facilities in elderly care homes and services not only refer to basic needs such as beds and baths, living room spaces, and dining areas. Indeed, these are almost the same features that can be found in typical households, but these should also meet the needs of their target residents.
Elderly citizens have different needs-they require equipment and facilities that support their wellbeing, not only physically but also mentally and psychologically. Hence, if you are looking for a home care provider for senior citizens, you must see to it that their basic facilities are not only there to provide minimum service, but also secure the comfort and confidence of their target residents.
- Activities for elderly citizens
Most home care service providers highlight comfort in their brochures. Sure, comfort is a primary concern among the elderly, but this is not the only factor that makes a home care service the best. Senior citizens often look for places in which they can continue nurturing their growth as individuals, and with this they need to participate in various activities that will make them productive.
Before checking in at a home care service provider, it is recommended to see the kinds of activities offered to senior citizen residents first. These include sports and leisure, occupational and livelihood support, and even activities that may boost their social skills while in the home. With these activities present, the elderly are able to make the most of their days with the least risk of feeling sad and alone, mainly because they have things to do almost all the time.
- Entertainment for senior citizens
Life can be boring at an elderly care facility, mainly because one can only do as much within the home’s confines. It would likewise be great if there are various forms of entertainment being offered in the elderly care service, such as social nights, weekly events, and even gatherings in which they can mingle freely with their fellow neighbours.
Entertainment in this sense is not only confined within the home itself; it should also offer activities that engage other community members, such as families of the elderly residents, and other socio-civic groups in the home’s outside realm. You may want to check out if the home offers such amenities, as these help in improving the psychosocial wellbeing of the elderly.
Aside from entertainment, learning classes can also boost the sense of security and wellbeing of the elderly. It would be worth looking at sessions in which the elderly can take part of, such as yoga, cooking, knitting, or even remedial education for senior citizens.
- Health support
Health support is likewise a must in every home care facility for senior citizens. This is not only response to the needs of elderly persons, but also to help ensure that the home’s residents are able to live their lives to the fullest, even as they grow older.
Health support comes in many forms, and the littlest things matter in this aspect. This covers the diet regimen being followed in the facility, the mobility assistance present in the home’s spaces, and if there are emergency services ready for action in case accidents or unexpected events happen.
- Well-trained staff
Last but not the least, home care facilities for elderly citizens require the support of well-trained staff. These not only entail the presence of geriatricians that can attend to the needs of the residents immediately, but also the understanding and the capability of other staff members in assisting the elderly. You may want to look at how nurses, caregivers, and even non-medical staff accommodate the elderly and their family members and gauge their levels of courtesy and respect. After all, once checked-in, this is where your elderly loved ones be living in, and you would only want them to feel that they are safe and secure, just like when they are at home.
