Happy Senior Living

Senior services, also known as ‘services to seniors or the elderly’ refer to services offered by organizations to assist seniors in living comfortable, stress-free lives. Based on the Older Americans Act, all Americans aged sixty and over are eligible for social services.  There are too many senior services to mention them all, but the main ones are:

• Senior housing - Because housing for seniors can be such a nightmare, senior services (many of which are non-profits) help to locate suitable housing solutions for the elderly. This includes finding locations that are close to social, medical and other amenities that are important to the elderly. Many senior services also assist with minor home repairs free of cost or at a minimal cost. In some areas there are also adult day care and health care facilities so that seniors can be around other seniors. This helps them to build new friendships as well as interact with others with whom they share similar interests.
• Employment help and advice - Some senior services help seniors to find employment or volunteer activities suited to their age and physical abilities. In addition to this, some services provide advice and guidance to seniors who need to work.
• Provide support for caregivers and seniors - Some states have caregiver advocacy programs where caregivers are given information to help them cope with the stress of taking care of seniors. These agencies/groups also help seniors connect with professional caregivers.
• Advice and assistance with nutrition and meals - In many states, senior services provide meals for seniors. Three main means of doing this are: Meals on Wheels, assistance to senior centers to provide nutritious meals for seniors, and donations of food items. Many seniors appreciate and look forward to getting their meals delivered.
• Transportation assistance - The ability to move around as they need to is one of the most important aspects of maintaining a senior’s sense of independence. The senior may need to regularly visit the doctor, go to church or even just go shopping. This is an important need of most senior citizens and is therefore one of the most important senior services offered.

Senior services related to transporting the elderly are escort services and case management services. Escort services actually provide someone to take the senior to wherever they need to go and assist if necessary. Case management involves providing facilities close by where the elderly can access many of the services they need in one place.

Other senior services include financial assistance. This includes, but is not limited to helping to balance check books, assisting with bills and other payments.

Senior services first and foremost are there to help senior citizens live an independent life with as much dignity as possible. Some work just for seniors who fall within certain groups, such as, the disabled, ethnic groups or catering to a particular gender.

For more great information about Senior Services visit our “Senior Services” Guide.

Senior health care is an all encompassing term since the elderly are afflicted with so many illnesses that will determine the type of health care they require. The first thing family members need is information on what to do and where to get help and support.  Some of the issues that are important when talking about senior health care/seniors care include:

• Access to medical care - Access to medical care is very important to seniors, so special care is needed in selecting the best there is in senior health care. One consideration is to ensure that seniors are as close as possible to medical help if the need arises.
• Access to drugs - Seniors care means ensuring that the elderly have access to any drugs and medication they need as easily as possible at the most affordable cost.  As such seniors and their caregivers should be made aware of the availability of cheaper generic drugs where possible.
• Access to proper residential facilities - Living facilities and nursing homes are an important part of senior health care needs. When planning anything to do with senior care, this must be examined carefully.  Some questions to ask when determining senior care in terms of residence are:

1. Can the person live at home with assistance?
2. Can the person live at home by themselves?
3. Will they need to be placed in a health care facility?
4. Can they be moved into an assisted residence facility?

Once these questions are answered deciding on the best residential facility for seniors becomes easier. For one, base on the health care needs of the senior, some facilities can be automatically eliminated, because someone needing assistance has to be placed in a facility that offers this.

• In-home care / nursing - In-home nursing as part of senior health care / seniors care is not just medical in nature. Many in-home nursing care programs provide companionship to the elderly. Many elderly persons are shut-ins, that is, they are unable to leave home regularly and strive on having someone to talk to.

In-home care also provides assistance with transportation, leisure activities, running errands and doing light housework.

Over all, senior health care is much more than just medical care; seniors care includes the emotional and spiritual wellbeing of the elderly.  This means keeping the elderly occupied with creative activities such as crafts, movies and trips where possible.

The persons taking care of seniors should be suited to the task, as the job of caregiver to the elderly can be extremely demanding and stressful. Seniors care calls for patience and a genuine love for the elderly among us.

Finally, end of life care is an important aspect of senior health care even though it is an unpleasant thought. Making sure that our aged loved ones are well taken care of in their final days is important not only for the seniors but their caregivers as well.

For more great information about Senior Health Care visit our “Senior Health Care” Guide.