Services to Take Care of Elders

People are living longer than ever and over 65 million adults are caring for an elderly, frail or disabled family member, according to the National Family Caregivers Association. If you find yourself in the position of caregiver you'll need to know what services are available to help provide care for your loved one.

Companion Services

• Agencies offer help by providing companion and housekeeping services. These employees are bonded and given background checks during the hiring process. Most agencies require 24 hours to provide services and may ask for a two-hour minimum. Companions and housekeepers cannot provide medical care or administer medication, but they will keep doctor appointments for your loved one and do light chores. If you cannot afford these services the Medicaid Waiver Program may be available in your state.

Adult Day Care Centers

• If leaving your loved one home alone is not an option, or if you would like to make sure they enjoy social and mental stimulation, there are adult day care centers. They operate during the weekdays and offer planned activities, meals, and possibly other services. They are regulated at the state level and there are over 4,600 centers across the country according to the National Adult Day Services Association (NADSA). Most are staffed with an activities director, registered nurse, social worker and personal care assistants.

Assisted Living and Nursing Home Care

• When you reach a point where your loved one requires more care than you can give, it may be time to place her in a nursing home or assisted living facility. There are different levels of services available and some have separate wards for progressive care.

  Visit each prospective facility before placing a loved one and take careful notes and observe the venues for cleanliness, unpleasant odors and unkempt patients.

Hospice Care

• Hospice is usually the last care a patient receives and refers to the type of care, not the place, although hospice homes are available. It is made up of a network of volunteers and physical, spiritual, social and emotional needs are responded to. Hospice care is offered when a cure or recovery is no longer possible. Although most patients are elderly or cancer stricken the service is available to a person of any age or type of illness.