What is Adult and Senior Care?

Adult and Senior Care  |  December 12, 2022

One of the first questions I am asked by folks is ‘what exactly is adult and senior care’? As expected, the question itself is partly based upon a curiosity about the types of services we offer; however, we also find that it is also based upon a general lack of knowledge about what comes next in life. After all, many of us have not yet come to that bridge and so have not yet had to enduring its crossing. When family caregivers call us to discuss their parent’s or partner’s situation, they look to us for guidance. We educate about our care services and also advise as to a beneficial care plan – one that is centered around their loved one’s needs and wants. As such, let us discuss adult and senior care as well as the core services that Comfort Keepers offers.

Adult and Senior Care

At Comfort Keepers, our mandate is to provide care services to both adults and seniors during times of need. Such times can include pregnancies, injuries, and illnesses. More often than not, however, people request our service just for sheer convenience. Our staff take on a versatile role, acting as a friend, caregiver, housekeeper, and advocate. Ultimately, we aim to help preserve autonomy, promote recovery, sustain and improve quality of life, and instill peace of mind for our clients and their families.

Caregiving

We offer caregiving as the standard service. It is aimed at those who are fairly independent, and require less assistance with their activities of daily living. Caregivers will help your loved ones through Companionship, engaging in Light Meal Preparation, helping with Light Housekeeping, and providing Respite Care to a family caregiver. After all, the Golden Years do not need to be spent alone, in an empty home, doing housework – with only a tv to keep us company.

Personal Support Work

Personal Support Work is an enhanced form of Caregiving aimed at those whose independence is at risk or compromised. It serves to assist your loved ones with their activities of daily living (ADL’s). This specialized service includes assisting with positioning/re-positioning, assistance with walking, feeding during mealtime, keeping up with Medication Reminders, escorting to and from the bathroom for toileting and bathing, helping with grooming and dressing, and related activities.

Companionship

Even before the threat of Covid-19 infection and the subsequent lockdowns became an unending reality, our seniors were often physically isolated and feeling lonely. Covid-19 only made matters worse. As such, Companionship care involves social and recreational activities that fulfill our needs by engaging our loved ones with the things that bring them joy. This could be as simple as going for a walk together, having a chat over tea and cookies, playing cards or a board game together. It can also include cooking together, singing and dancing, hosting the neighbours, or anything else that comes to mind. At Comfort Keepers, we are big on fun, and encourage clients to make time for it every day!

Light Housekeeping

Light housekeeping is another essential need that never goes away. So, instead of your loved one spending their limited time and energy doing this, our Caregivers can handle most of it for them. This includes doing the laundry, washing the dishes, vacuuming, mopping common areas of the home, and more.

Light Meal Preparation

An essential element of our care plan is Light Meal Preparation. Admittedly, our clients are always concerned about the nutrition of their loved ones. That is rightfully so, because many adults and seniors find themselves too tired, too ill, or too forgetful to maintain a consistent eating schedule. We can help minimize a reliance on frozen and canned meals. Instead, we can help prepare simple, healthy, and delicious meals for your loved ones.

Incidental (accompanied) transportation

Our seniors have an active schedule that involves many trips to the doctors, specialists, clinics, and hospitals. However, it can also include weddings and local events. Notably, during the Golden Years, this can be a challenge for our loved ones. Admittedly, time moves slowly for our elders. Injury and illness compound this effect. Comfort Keepers provide incidental accompanied transportation to help with times like these. We send a Caregiver to accompany your loved one from their home to their destination and then back. We remain with them and ensure they are comfortable, and we will advocate for them insofar as we can.

Post-Hospital Care (Hospital-to-Home Service)

Our hospitals provide the care we need while we are visitors there. The reality is far different once we are discharged. We are often completely on our own. Comfort Keepers arranges for a Caregiver or PSW to meet your loved one at the hospital. We will secure transportation. We will also pick up any necessities on the way home (prescriptions or groceries). Our duty is to encourage clients to remain hydrated, well-fed, and comfortably resting at home. This aids in their recovery over the coming weeks.

Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care

Alzheimer’s and Dementia care is another common service that is provided. This typically includes keeping company for a loved one (“Adult-sitting”). It also means engaging them with meaningful social and recreational activities to stimulate the senses and pass the time. Equally important, it provides respite care for the family caregiver who often has a lot on their plate.

End-of-Life Care

End-of-life care is all about dignity and comfort. It is a transitionary period in one’s life when one needs help the most. Our Caregivers are there to assist your loved ones during this challenging time, and to provide much-needed relief for the family caregiver.

In sum, we have identified what adult and senior care is, what it includes, and the value it offers. We welcome you to keep this in mind when thinking about securing care for your loved one. Most importantly, we encourage you to contact us to discuss your situation!

Comfort Keepers Helps

Comfort Keepers senior care of Hamilton, Kitchener, and Waterloo has been helping seniors lead healthy, active, and enjoyable lifestyles for over two decades in North America. We understand the challenges of the golden years, we know what our seniors are capable of achieving, and we offer companionship and care that helps empower seniors to sustain their autonomy, maintain good health, and enjoy their time in retirement.

Our trained caregivers can make your day-to-day life easier and help you make the most of your time, rendering it a relaxing and enjoyable experience. At Comfort Keepers Kitchener and Waterloo senior care, we can help you achieve your tasks so that you can focus on the things that matter. We help our clients find joy by elevating the human spirit.
Call us today for more information on how we can serve your needs.

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