When we’re considering the best kind of elder care services our loved ones need, the options may seem endless. There’s long term elderly care, home care services, dementia care and more. Which one would best suit our elderly loved one? Making a choice can be daunting and difficult with the many different forms they come in.

 

Here is a simple guide to take you through the difference between some of the elderly care services available to make it simpler for you to make a decision.

 

Long Term Elderly Care

This is care that is given to a beloved elderly one who requires help with his or her physical and emotional needs over an extended period. This assistance could include activities such as:

• Walking

• Bathing

• Preventing unsafe situations

• Attending to their medical needs

• Providing them meals or feeding them

• Helping with laundry

• Help with hygiene and personal grooming

• Providing physical or occupational therapy

• Ensuring they are comfortable 

 

Long term care is usually considered when the elderly one has:

• Chronic medical conditions

• Chronic pains

• Dementia

• Permanent disabilities

• Prolonged need for help with daily activities

• A need for regular supervision

 

Long term care can also be provided in the following settings:

• In a nursing home

• In the home where the elderly one lives

 

Day Care

When everyone is out of the house attending to work or school during the day, our elderly loved ones may feel lonely and isolated at home. This is where daycare can be helpful for them. They will be able to enjoy planned activities and socialise with others in a safe environment while getting their health and nutritional needs met. 

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Some benefits for elderly daycare include:

• A host of activities that will help maintain or boost their physical and mental health

• Giving them a safe and secure environment to spend a part of their day

• An opportunity to make friends and be involved in meaningful social interaction to stimulate their minds

 

Day Care can be considered if your elderly loved one:

• Does not have a structured daily routine

• Is isolated and requires companionship

• Is often left alone at home

 

Short Term Elderly Care

Short term care is temporary aftercare that is provided after:

•  A surgery

• An injury

• An illness

• Any temporary condition that is expected to improve

 

Short term care can range from weeks to months, depending on how fast the situation improves. The objective of this form of care is to let the senior return home as soon as they can.

 

Dementia Care

Dementia is a term used for conditions where the loss of memory and other cognitive abilities impair or interfere with a senior’s daily life. Moving them into an elderly care home can be considered if:

• Dementia has progressed

• 24-hour supervision and care is required

• The family member or caregiver is unable to provide such support to the senior.

 

Dementia care in a nursing home would include activities that can keep the senior engaged coupled with supervision and care to ensure all their daily needs are taken care of. 

 

Palliative Care

When an elderly loved one is approaching the end of their life, palliative care will be required to ensure their comfort and improve their quality of life by relieving their symptoms, pains and other stress from the illness. Palliative care can be given up to years and has a host of benefits including:

• Reduced rehospitalisation

• Reduced incidents of unbearable pains, both physically and psychologically

• Improve their ability to recover and tolerate medical treatments

 

Palliative care is often could be used in illnesses such as:

• Cancer

• Kidney failure

• Parkinson’s

• Alzheimer’s disease

• Heart-related diseases

• Severe arthritis

 

Assisted Living Care

For our elderly loved ones who are generally still active but require a bit of assistance in dressing, grooming, using the bathroom or even medicine management, assisted living would be suitable for them. This form of care still gives them plenty of independence as it focuses on assisting them with their daily tasks.

If you are seeking elderly care services for your loved one, Metro Eldercare has a range of care services to suit the needs of your elderly loved one. With many centres all across the Klang Valley, we are committed to giving the seniors quality care in a safe and secure home-like environment to bring out the best in them. Find out more about how we can care for your loved one here. Contact us today.