(Newswire.net — May 3, 2021) — We’re all different and we all have different traits. We all also have different needs as we age. Now, is it time that elderly care was more reflective of this? For those who are unaware, responsive care is the process of being in tune with your patient’s cues, thinking about what they could mean, and responding to them in an appropriate and sensitive manner so you can meet their mental and physical needs. Of course, as people, we’re changing all of the time, so this also means understanding that our choices, decisions, and needs can change as well. This is something that many people believe needs to become more ingrained into the care of elderly people, and that is something that we will explore in further depth in this post. So, should elderly care become more responsive and how can we achieve this?
We all change as we age
There should never be a one-size-fits-all approach to care. After all, we all have different needs and requirements. A patient with dementia, for example, is going to require different home care services when compared with someone who does not have this condition. However, can all elderly patients with dementia really be put in the same box? No, as there are different types and severities of dementia. Some can be managed for a time with medication, some sufferers decline slowly, while others seem to deteriorate over a very short period of time.
Continuous Improvement of care
A good responsive care plan is one whereby health needs are continually being evaluated and reviewed to ensure that the patient receives the right support and care at that specific time. It is not just about recognising the person as an individual, but also recognising their individual needs as they change. Care and support should adapt when the person’s decisions, choices, and needs change. This is at the core of responsive care.
A flexible option to addressing changing needs
Most people can agree that elderly care does need to become more responsive as care homes aren’t right for all patients, and neither is ad hoc care. However, we are lucky that there are a lot of great home care providers who offer a responsive service. Home care, as it is focused on one person, is much more responsive by its very nature when compared with care homes whereby a group of people are being attended to at the same time. Therefore, live-in care is a good way to begin when it comes to ensuring your service is responsive.
If you are looking for private live in care in your own home, it makes sense to look for a company that offers responsive care. After all, you want to make sure that your elderly loved one is receiving a service that is completely tailored to his or her needs. You want to be safe in the knowledge that their decisions, choices, and wants are being taken into consideration, and that the carer in question recognises that your loved one’s feelings and thoughts are subject to change. This is what responsive care is all about, and it can ensure a higher level of healthcare and a better quality of life for the person in question.