Across Canada there continues to be a growing demand in home care for the elderly. Receiving care from a home care company is understandably a preferred option for many, as it allows a person to continue living in their own home and retain their independence. Home caregivers can provide assistance with a whole range of activities to support and improve the quality of life of elderly people. Many home care companies can also provide caregivers that can accompany clients on appointments outside of the home environment too.
Seniors receiving care at home will still often need to attend outside appointments, such as medical visits, physical therapy sessions or dental check-ups. Often the case, they will also need a family member to be with them for these appointments. Situations occur where family members simply cannot take time off work to accompany their loved ones; this is where home caregivers can step in to help out. Here we look a little closer at the benefits of using home caregivers in these situations.
Enhanced Safety
Caregivers can ensure that clients get safely to and from their health and medical appointments. They can be there to assist seniors that have mobility issues and help out to arrange suitable transportation to and from the destination. Large medical facilities can often be overwhelming to navigate for elderly people, and having a caregiver be there to guide them brings great comfort and less stress.
Emotional Support
Attending any kind of medical appointment can cause worry and anxiety; the presence of a familiar person to sit with and talk to can significantly reduce this. A caregiver’s companionship is invaluable for many seniors waiting for their health appointment, especially if there are potentially long wait times. Just knowing that a caregiver is there can make any health or medical appointment more tolerable for an elderly person.
Communication and Advocacy
At health and medical appointments, effective communication between a senior and their healthcare providers is vital. When needed, a caregivers can help articulate the client’s needs and concerns to ensure that they receive the appropriate care. Additionally, a caregiver can also make note of any advice and instructions the health provider gives to a client. This helps ensure that after the appointment these are understood and followed correctly.
Care compliance
When a family member cannot take time out to accompany a loved one, the health or medical appointment may be cancelled or postponed. Both can have ramifications further down the line for an elderly person, especially if their health condition is being closely monitored by health professionals. Having the option of having a caregiver as a medical escort means that seniors are more likely to adhere to appointment schedules and follow-up care.
Other outside activities
It is not just health and medical appointments – home caregivers can also play an integral part in a senior person’s other outside life activities. Going for walks, visits to the grocery store and attending community groups are just some examples of where caregivers can accompany seniors. Caregivers can provide care, support and companionship in these situations and help make these away from home experiences more enjoyable.
Conclusion
Elderly people often have numerous appointments outside the home that are crucial for maintaining their health and quality of life. When family members are not available, attending these appointments alone can be daunting. Mobility issues, lack of confidence and anxiety are just a few of the challenges they face when facing making visits outside their home. This is where the presence of a caregiver becomes invaluable. Having home caregivers as an alternative solution in accompanying elderly clients to appointments is beneficial for a number of reasons. This includes a person’s safety, emotional well-being, companionship and compliance in receiving health and medical care when needed.
A Selectacare home caregiver can be there as a medical escort to accompany and support you or a loved one to health and medical appointments. We can also be there for you for other activities you want to attend outside the home. Call us today to find out more!