Think about the various tools you make use of every single day – your phone, hairbrush, toothbrush – simple things, but ones you can’t imagine living without. For millions of seniors, there is basic elderly care technology available that could mean the difference between living at home and moving to assisted living. Yet almost half of seniors living at home are not using these effective tools – even though costs are minimal.
A recent National Health and Aging Trends Study estimated the ability of older adults to accomplish tasks such as rising unassisted from a sitting position and walking, and found that thousands of the participants could benefit from assistive devices.
Not just that, but the risk of senior falls due to the lack of simple assistive devices is increased, contributing to hospitalizations, serious injury, and disability which could easily have been prevented. In fact, once these devices were made available to older adults, according to research, disability rates for seniors decreased by 50%, along with a reduction in pain levels and an increase in the ability to independently perform activities of daily living.
According to study author Dr. Kenneth Lam, “It’s a technical problem which, unlike so much of aging, is actually solvable. In the hospital, I can order an M.R.I. and charge the system thousands of dollars. But down the road, that won’t help patients not fall. What happens when they get home?”
Johns Hopkins in Baltimore has recently launched a program looking to change this by introducing inexpensive assistive tools to older adults. Through a few in-home visits from a nurse, repair specialist and occupational therapist, needs are identified and resolved. That may mean removing fall hazards, installing grab bars in the bathroom, or adding a raised toilet seat or shower chair. Small changes such as these may make a sizable difference in a senior’s capacity to manage activities of daily living safely and independently.
At Golden Harmony, we’re pleased to offer in-home evaluations to recommend improvements to the home environment that enhance safety and help seniors remain independent as well as in control. We can also help improve senior’s safety, comfort, and independence through in-home care services such as:
- Offering accompanied transportation for errands, medical appointments, and fun outings
- Preparing healthy meals and ensuring sufficient hydration for seniors
- Providing assistance as needed with personal care needs for safe showering/bathing, getting dressed, etc.
- Maintaining a clean and organized home
- And more
Contact us online or call us at 919-426-7522 to schedule your assessment today and discover of the benefits of at home senior care in Raleigh, NC, and other nearby areas. For more details on all of the areas we serve outside of Raleigh, please visit our Communities Served page.