Aging looks different for every senior. The type of care you need and the time in your life when you need it most will depend on factors like temporary and chronic health conditions, as well as personal preference.
There is an almost 70% chance that adults over the age of 65 will need some form of assistance as they get older. By moving into an assisted living community, you ensure that you’ll have seamless access to that care once you need it.
What do personal care assistants do to enhance the assisted living experience at Seaton Springwood? Read on to find out.
Supporting Activities of Daily Living
No matter your age, everyone needs to be able to complete activities of daily (ADLs) living to support their overall health and well-being. ADLs include tasks like:
- Bathing and grooming
- Using the restroom
- Dressing
- Transfer and mobility (e.g., getting out of bed, sitting in a chair, etc.)
- Housekeeping and cleaning
With age, seniors may experience changes in balance, stability, strength, and range of motion that can impede their ability to complete ADLs. Chronic health conditions and disabilities can also make ADLs less accessible.
Personal care assistants are trained in proper ADL assistance, allowing seniors to maintain their dignity, health, and independence.
Providing Medication Management
An estimated 80% of older adults take at least two prescription medications, often on a daily basis. Most prescriptions have specific instructions for best usage, including:
- How to store the medication
- When to take the medication
- How often to take the medication
- Whether or not to take the medication with food
This can create complex medication administration schedules that some seniors may struggle to maintain. Some medications also have a negative interaction with over-the-counter drugs or supplements, limiting the additional steps seniors can take to support their health.
Personal care assistants can provide medication management. This involves overseeing a senior’s medication schedule, from picking up prescriptions to taking them properly.
Enhancing Safety and Security
When aging at home, seniors are often responsible for monitoring their own safety and security. In a medical emergency, they may not be able to get to the phone and call for help.
Personal care assistants have the training needed to recognize the signs of a medical emergency. By checking in on assisted living residents, these assistants can identify and react to emergencies swiftly.
In memory care communities, personal care assistants can also prevent security concerns like wandering. Seniors and their family members can rest assured that residents have appropriate supervision.
Facilitating Social Activities
Assisted living communities don’t just provide residents with better medical support. Staff members work hard to put together programs for active seniors, including a calendar of exciting social activities.
Senior living community activities can include:
- Game nights
- Movie nights
- Guest lectures
- Concerts and performances
- Classes
- Community outings
Our caregivers get to know the members of a community. This allows them to put together activities that meet the interests and desires of their residents. They can also help residents attend and participate in these activities, providing assistance and accommodations as needed.
Offering Companionship
Studies show a link between pleasant social interaction and strengthened cognitive performance.
One of the biggest benefits of living in an assisted living community is the opportunity to build and enjoy a wide social circle. The social activities we discussed above give residents a chance to get to know each other.
Personal care assistants also play an important role in this arena. Our caregivers get to know the residents they work with each day. Caregiver visits serve a practical purpose, but they also provide residents with reliable and consistent companionship.
Addressing Nutritional Concerns
In assisted living communities like Seaton Springwood, nutrition is a top concern. We recognize the important role that diet plays in overall health. We also believe that eating should remain a pleasurable experience, even as dietary needs and abilities change.
We take a varied approach to senior nutrition, starting with our Sensations Dining program. This program provides:
- Communal dining opportunities
- Friendly tableside service
- Chef-prepared meals
- International and familiar cuisine
Seniors also have the opportunity to dine in their private quarters. They’ll still receive prepared meals up to three times a day plus snacks. Our personal care assistants are available to help with eating and communicating about dietary restrictions.
Creating Opportunities for Caregiver Respite
Even in an assisted living environment, many seniors receive support and care from family members. This can include tasks like taking seniors to and from doctor’s appointments, helping with ADLs, and providing companionship.
While we encourage family involvement, we know how important respite can be in preventing burnout symptoms such as:
- Emotional and physical exhaustion
- Changes in sleep patterns
- Social withdrawal
- Irritability and frustration
Taking a break from caregiving can protect familial relationships. It can also give family caregivers time to focus on their own needs.
Personal care assistants ensure that seniors are safe and cared for while family caregivers take necessary breaks. They can also take over these duties completely so that every visit with family is a social visit.
Improving Continuity of Care
When seniors are managing multiple or chronic health disorders, even a small oversight can have a serious impact. Continuity of care is an approach to care that involves ongoing health management and communication.
At Seaton Springwood, our personal care program includes:
- 24/7 nursing
- In-house therapies
- Pharmacy coordination
- Transportation services
All of this contributes to better health management. We also offer on-campus memory care, allowing many of our residents to remain in a familiar environment longer.
Meet Our Personal Care Assistants at Seaton Springwood
Most seniors benefit from having professional assistance as they age. Personal care assistants play an important role in senior living. At Seaton Springwood, our caregivers do far more than assist with ADLs. They provide medical support, companionship, and more.
Seaton Springwood is beloved by residents and their families. Our personal care assistants go above and beyond to keep residents healthy and happy. Our exclusive programs set us apart from other York communities.
Are you ready to schedule a tour and meet our team? Contact us today.
