Originally published on social-matic.com
Senior caregiving is becoming an increasingly important issue in our society. Worldwide there are more people over 60 than ever. According to The Lancet, in 2000, this segment of the global population represented only 11%. However, by 2050 this number is expected to rise to an all-time high of 22%. This rapid increase in the elderly population means more people need care.
Elderly care is more critical than it has ever been, and the need for this care will only continue to grow. More and more families need to understand the roles that they play in providing this care. They also need to understand the roles that care workers play. Matthew Bussard, a Medicare specialist from Rhode Island, understands how vital it is for everyone to understand the unique roles that both families and care workers play in caring for seniors.
Family Members:
Family members often play the most prominent role when it comes to caring for seniors. The family typically assumes positions such as assisting with daily living activities and helping with medical tasks like administering medication or managing medical equipment. The family also typically takes roles that involve assisting their seniors with daily living activities.
The family also often manages the process of coordinating care between providers. This might include setting up and going to doctor’s appointments and even navigating insurance. When family members assume these roles for their loved ones, they must know where to find the help they need to ensure that their senior’s needs are being met.
Caregivers:
Most seniors also have a variety of professional care workers involved with their care. These professional care providers work alongside family members to ensure that all of the senior’s needs are being met. There are many different types of careworkers, and each type has a different role to play.
Personal care aides are the most common type of home care worker. They help with day-to-day living activities. A registered nurse is another type of caregiver that often assists with rehabilitation or recovery from surgery or a medical condition. Home health aides assist seniors inside their homes when seniors might have difficulty being home alone. These care providers have special training that helps them identify potential problems so that the right help can be contacted right away.
Some seniors might also have a variety of therapists involved with caring for them. These could include physical, occupational, or speech-language therapists. A medical social worker is a final type of caregiver. Their job is to help seniors and their families learn how to use the available community resources.
This is an issue that affects nearly everyone in some way. For some, it may just be a matter of caring for a loved one – for others, it could mean increased demand for healthcare resources.
Whatever the reason, when dealing with elderly caregiving, it’s essential for families to know what’s going on and how each person can help. To navigate this stage of life, seniors depend on a village of people, so that village needs to know how to work together.
About Matthew Bussard
Matthew Bussard is a financial services broker offering support to Medicare users in Rhode Island. He is passionate about creating a difference in his clients’ lives by helping them enroll in Medicare with professionalism and care. Mr. Bussard volunteers with Medicare recipients at Oak Street Health Clinics, providing efficient, continual guidance to clients every step of the way. Matthew also participates in various charitable activities, including The Hunger Project, the MDRT Foundation, local clean-ups, and little league coaching. He donates to local charities and makes a difference in his community in every way possible.