What Is Palliative Care For Seniors?
Palliative care for seniors can help seniors that have a serious long-term or chronic illness. Many seniors get palliative care while they are also getting curative care for their medical conditions. Families and caregivers sometimes mistake palliative care for hospice care or end-of-life care, but palliative care is care that focuses on quality for seniors with medical conditions that typically can cause a lot of pain or other problems. In-home care services for seniors are often part of palliative care.
In-Home Care Westfield NJ – What Is Palliative Care For Seniors?
When seniors have palliative care they often work with a team of doctors, nurses, psychologists, social workers, or religious clergy who all work together to try and offer support and care that will improve or maintain a senior’s quality of life. In-home care makes it easier for seniors who are battling diseases like cancer, Alzheimer’s, or Parkinson’s to live at home where they are comfortable and can have a better quality of life.
Some of the ways that palliative care can help seniors are:
Medication Management
Medication can help seniors who are struggling with conditions that can cause painful symptoms. Some medications can also help seniors who are trying to manage anxiety or depression that is related to their medical condition or issues caused by that condition. A palliative care team can work together to assess your senior parent’s current state and their needs so that they can prescribe medication that will improve their quality of life and help them maintain their independence.
Nutritional Counseling And Support
When seniors have serious medical conditions like cancer they may lose their appetite or end up eating unhealthy foods because those foods are the only ones that appeal to them. With nutritional counseling and in-home care to help shop for groceries, cook meals, and clean up after meals seniors can use the power of good nutrition to help their bodies stay strong. Many seniors are malnourished, and the support that comes from having palliative care can encourage seniors to eat more and eat the right foods to help support good health.
Sleep Disorder Support
Seniors in general are prone to poor sleep and to having sleep disorders. Sleeping problems like insomnia, anxiety, and depression can be even worse for seniors that are dealing with chronic serious, and painful medication conditions. But having palliative care at home can help seniors overcome their sleep disorders through behavior and lifestyle changes as well as medications. Sleep is important for good health, and the more your senior parent sleeps the better their chances of having a great quality of life are.
Social Support with Palliative and In-Home Care
Having a serious medical condition can be lonely and isolate seniors, especially if they are in a lot of pain most of the time. Palliative care and in-home care for seniors give seniors social support and connection which can help them stay connected to the world instead of withdrawing into their own worlds. Seniors with a care team have a better chance of avoiding loneliness and depression.
If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring professional In-Home Care Services in Westfield NJ, please talk to the caring staff at Generations Home Health Care today. Providing Home Care in Somerset, Essex, Union, Morris, and Hunterdon Counties. Call us today at (908) 290-0691 or (973) 241-4534.
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