Everyday activities like showering and brushing your teeth can become more challenging with the progression of aging or health challenges.
Memory issues, limited mobility, and other health changes can lead to an increased need for personal care for the elderly. In fact, the need for help with basic personal tasks is often a key element in determining the need for long-term care.
Even as seniors strive to maintain independence, their need for help with personal care can be one of the most compelling reasons to move into assisted living.
At Judson Meadows, we include personal care as part of the services we offer, with the level of help depending on the needs of our residents. As a result, we successfully enhance residents’ lives, health, and safety.
Personal Care in Assisted Living Community
Personal care in an assisted living community typically describes what many refer to as “activities of daily living” (ADL). Carrying out basic care needs each day supports physical and mental health among residents.
This level of care also helps to prevent skin infections and other potential skin issues, minimize dental problems, maintain a neat and healthy appearance, and detect possible health issues.
Personal care for seniors and other members of assisted living communities typically revolves around providing help in one or more of the six main categories of ADLs, including:
- Bathing, including grooming and brushing teeth
- Dressing without struggling with zippers and buttons
- Eating independently
- Transferring from a bed or chair to a wheelchair and back
- Continence, including controlling bowel and bladder functions
- Toileting, including the ability to get on the toilet and off again
Importance of Personal Care for Seniors
When seniors struggle to provide personal care for themselves, it can affect their overall quality of life. Poor personal hygiene can lead to physical problems, including skin infections, body odor, and dental issues. Seniors who are unable to meet their own needs or have trouble remembering to complete important ADLs may have a greater risk of falling or suffering other injuries when they are left to their own devices.
If personal care isn’t prioritized, seniors’ appearance and self-esteem suffer. They may look unkempt and unhealthy, which can have an impact on their mental health.
Not only does keeping up with personal care support physical and mental health, but it also provides an opportunity for individuals and staff members to observe any changes that could indicate a possible health problem.
For example, during a bath, a staff member may notice a lump or bump that should be examined or an ingrown toenail or callus that requires attention.
How We Can Enhance Your Personal Care
At Judson Meadows, we offer personal care according to three service tiers that are based on residents’ needs. The commitment to quality care extends beyond ADLs to include instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), including medication management, housekeeping, meal preparation, and transportation.
For example, all residents get help with IADLs like weekly housekeeping, daily bed making, personal laundry, medication reminders, transportation to appointments, and activities. Residents also receive bathing assistance and personalized health plans.
As their needs progress, our levels of care provide additional help with activities like medication management, transfers and mobility, food assistance, toileting, and continence management.
By offering tiered levels of service, we are able to provide an ideal balance between independence and reliable personal care assistance for our residents.
