8 Types of Aged Care Approaches You Need to Know
Collaborative Post
As we get older, many of us will need some form of care and support to maintain our quality of life. Thankfully, there is a good range of aged care approaches available that are designed to meet the unique needs of senior citizens.
These approaches encompass a variety of services and support options. However, with so many choices available, it can be tricky for seniors and their families to pick the right one. At the very least because each approach has its own set of benefits.
It is useful to understand the different types of aged care available so that you can make informed decisions about the care and support you will require as you age.
This article will provide an overview of the various aged care approaches available and outline the key features and benefits of them.
Afterwards you’ll have a firmer idea of which one is most appropriate to maintain independence and quality of life in one’s twilight years.
What is Aged Care?
Aged care is an umbrella term that refers to the overall range of services and support that is available to seniors who require assistance with essential living activities on a daily basis.
It can include services such as personal care, nursing care, assistance with household tasks, and social support and can be provided in a range of settings. They include the individual’s own home, community-based settings, and residential care facilities.
The overall aim of aged care is to help seniors maintain their independence, quality of life, and dignity as they age. It aims to achieve this by providing them with access to the specific support and care they need to meet their circumstance.
Aged Care Approaches
There are several aged care approaches available to seniors, although they may differ from country to country. Here are some of the more popular types.
Home Care Packages
Home care packages provide a range of services and support to senior citizens who wish to remain in their own homes. This approach enables seniors to maintain their independence and continue living in familiar surroundings while receiving the assistance they require.
Home care packages are tailored to meet the unique needs of each person and can include services such as personal care, household assistance, nursing care, and transportation.
Generally, home care packages are available to senior citizens who have been assessed and approved by the government as requiring assistance. They range from basic support to high-level care, with the level of funding being calculated after their needs have been assessed.
Residential Aged Care
For seniors who require a more intensive level of care and support that can be provided in their own homes, residential aged care is a good option.
These facilities provide round-the-clock care, accommodation, and support services to seniors who may have complex medical needs or need help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating.
They can be public or private enterprises and often provide additional services like nursing care, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and social activities.
Respite Care
Caring for seniors can be physically and mentally demanding. So, if you find yourself in this situation, you may want to consider respite care.
This approach provides short-term assistance to seniors who are being cared for by family members or other carers. It enables people to take a break from their caring responsibilities with the peace of mind of knowing their loved one receives the support they need.
This type of care can be provided in the individual’s private abode or a residential care facility and can range from a few hours to several weeks. It can also be called upon in emergencies, such as when a carer becomes ill.
Palliative Care
Palliative care is a specialised approach to caring for individuals who have been diagnosed with a serious illness, such as cancer, heart disease, or dementia, and who are in the advanced stages of the disease.
This approach aims to provide relief from pain and other symptoms, as well as emotional, social, and spiritual support to both the patient and their family.
Essentially, palliative care is about improving the patient’s quality of life and ensuring that they can live as comfortably and as fully as possible.
It is often provided by a team of healthcare professionals, like doctors, nurses, social workers, and spiritual advisers and can be administered at home, in a hospital or in a residential care facility.
Dementia Care
For those who have been diagnosed with dementia or other cognitive impairments, dementia care might be a suitable option.
It provides seniors who are living at home or in a residential care facility with a range of services catered specifically for individuals with dementia, including assistance with daily activities, memory support, and social activities.
To maximise their success, these types of care providers work closely with the individual and their family to develop a plan that meets their unique needs.
Consumer-Directed Care
If you want more control over the care and support you receive, then consumer-directed care may be for you.
The good thing about this aged care approach is that it enables seniors to choose the services and support they require and gives them greater flexibility in how their care is delivered.
Seniors who receive consumer-directed care are directly involved in the development of their care plan and have the flexibility to make changes as their needs evolve.
Active Ageing
Active ageing is an approach that focuses on promoting healthy ageing and maintaining independence as seniors get older. It incorporates programs and services that promote physical activity, social engagement, and healthy eating.
Overall, these programs are designed to help seniors maintain their physical and mental health and to enable them to continue participating in their communities.
Technology-Enabled Care
A comparatively new form of aged care approach is technology-enabled care.
As its name suggests, it uses technology to provide care and support to seniors. Such technology can include telehealth, remote monitoring, and assistive technologies, which enable older people to access care and support from their own homes.
The good thing about this approach is that it provides seniors with the support and care they need in a more flexible, convenient and real-time manner.
Final Thought
As you can see, there is a wide selection of aged care approaches available to meet the needs of seniors as they age.
Whichever one you choose is up to you. But at the end of the day, all of them can help seniors to live a fuller and more meaningful life.
Image by Freepik
