What Are Personal Care Services in Assisted Living Communities
Iowa has a large community of senior citizens in comparison to other states. According to the Iowa Attorney General, there are around 1.1 million residents over 50, ranking its senior population 16th in the country. Taking care of our elderly loved ones is essential to protecting their safety and ensuring their quality of life.
It can be challenging to determine the level of care your loved one needs as they age. Many senior living communities offer multiple senior living options based on your loved one's needs. After exploring their options, you may be asking yourself, "What are personal care services?"
This blog will answer your questions about senior personal care. We'll talk about the types of personal care services available and what types of seniors need this kind of care.
What Are Personal Care Services?
So, what are personal care services? These are hands-on services that assist a senior with important daily activities that they're having difficulties performing by themselves. These tasks are often referred to as Activities of Daily Living (ADLs).
Examples of ADLs seniors can receive support from personal care service providers include:
- Teeth brushing
- Assistance with walking, sitting down, standing, and lying down
- Bathing
- Shaving
- Going to the restroom
- Dressing
- Eating
Other areas seniors can get help with include Instrumental Activities of Daily Living or IADLs. These tasks are more complex and complicated than ADLs and refer to things a senior needs to manage their affairs and home. Some common IADLs include:
- Scheduling and attending medical appointments
- Managing finances
- Shopping for and cooking meals
- Driving
- Completing household chores
Seniors can receive support with these personal care services from caregivers when they move into a senior living community. Every aspect of their health and happiness will be addressed by those caring for them.
How Do I Know if My Loved One Needs Help?
It can be difficult when you start to notice your loved one is struggling to complete daily tasks. Personal care solutions may be the right choice to help them remain healthy. Some signs you'll want to look out for include:
- They have a history of injuring themselves or falling down
- You've noticed that their grooming habits aren't the same
- They begin to wear the same clothes, and they appear dirty
- They have unintentionally lost or gained weight
- They're unable to safely drive
Examples of Personal Care Services in Senior Living Communities
Seniors can receive personal care services from numerous staff members while living in a community. What care your loved one receives depends on their unique needs.
Chef-Prepared Meals
One of the main advantages of personal care communities is they have staff on site who prepare three meals each day. These meals are tailored to the preferences of the residents. Special dietary accommodations are offered to those who need them.
Medication Management
Keeping track of and remembering to take medication can be challenging for many seniors. Missing doses can have negative side effects. Caregivers ensure their residents take their medication at the right time daily.
Assistance With Laundry and Housekeeping
Caregivers in personal care communities are available to handle residents' laundry and linens on their behalf. They're also there to clean the rooms of everyone in the community, ensuring the space stays safe and free from hazards.
Explore the Benefits of Personal Care Services
Seniors and their loved ones can experience numerous advantages when moving into a senior living community that offers personal care services. Let's discuss some of the most common pros of choosing this type of senior living care.
Clean and Safe Living Quarters
It can be challenging to take care of your home and outdoor space. These chores become more difficult if the individual has mobility problems.
The apartment units available in personal care communities are designed with seniors in mind. They offer features that are intended to make life easier for residents, including:
- Grip bars by the toilet and inside the shower stall
- No tripping hazards
- Wide paths that can accommodate walkers and wheelchairs
- Slip-resistant flooring
- Emergency call systems
- Safety locks for outdoor spaces
Residents can experience all the perks of living in a safe apartment building without having to deal with the hassle of cleaning and maintaining their units.
Maximum Independence for Residents
Seniors and their loved ones meet with caregivers when they move into a senior living community to create a personalized care plan. This plan will address every aspect of their care. It ensures the resident receives the level of care they need to thrive.
One great advantage of a unique care plan is that residents can maintain their independence. They won't receive services they don't need or want. This ensures they stay in control of their lives regardless of the fact they're living in a community.
Continual Support From Caregivers
One of the downsides of in-home caregivers is they're not always with your loved one. There may be times when they need to step away from their duties. You may not be able to afford an in-home caregiver that's with your family member 24/7.
Senior living communities have staff continually on-site. These communities are staffed with highly-trained individuals who are available to assist your loved one whenever they need it.
According to the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry, around 10-20% of seniors deal with anxiety. Much of this anxiety could be attributed to worrying about hurting themselves when they're living alone. Living in a personal care community will provide you and your loved one with the peace of mind you need.
Learn More About Personal Care Services in Carroll
We hope we've answered the question, "What are personal care services?" If you're dealing with an aging family member, it's important to understand their elderly care expectations and needs. You want to partner with an experienced community that delivers tailored care to its residents while considering their preferences.
At Addington Place of Carroll, we understand how big of a decision placing your loved one into a senior living community can be. That's why our compassionate staff is here to ease your mind while delivering exceptional personal care to your loved one. Reach out to our office to learn more about our services.