Stages of Aging in Seniors
Today, everyone has a story about caring for a senior family member. This is becoming all too common and something that results in the burn-out of many family members. Understanding the stages of aging in seniors will help to ensure that seniors are cared for and those caring for them do not experience health issues themselves because they are worn out or overwhelmed.
In order to help families of seniors be prepared and understand the primary needs of the issues relating to long-term care, the stages of aging are highlighted here.
Stage 1
During the first stage, the senior remains self-sufficient and can easily manage any type of disability or chronic health issue they may suffer from. In most cases, they won’t require any type of special support from their family. In fact, they will likely value their independence.
Stage 2
During this stage, the senior’s prior independence will turn into interdependence. Seniors will likely begin to accept care from their family members for certain activities, such as banking, shopping, house cleaning and cooking, but are usually reluctant to take full-on formal care yet. Seniors will often view the formal caregiver as the beginning to their end of independence. It is often suggested by professionals for families to consider utilizing seniors residences that are specifically designed for independent living.
Stage 3
Seniors will slow, become more and more dependent on others for all types of chores including transportation, shopping, cleaning and meal preparation. They may also need some stand-by assistance or direct help with certain personal care activities, such as grooming, bathing and getting dressed. There are a number of options for assistance in Santa Clarita at this point, including retirement homes or assisted living.
Stage 4
Providing care for seniors at home can create an exhausting situation that only gets worse as time passes. It is essential to ensure the senior is cared for without compromising your own health in well-being. In many cases during this stage, formal, full-time, in-home care will be too expensive for the family, which is when many issues may arise.
Stage 5
The final stage of long-term care will occur when families are at the point where they have to admit their senor loved one into a nursing home. This can be a difficult decision and one that many families struggle with.
Regardless of the stage, knowing what to expect is essential. If you are at the point where in-home care services could be beneficial, contact Comfort Keepers in Santa Clarita today. Doing this will help ensure the superior care a senior needs is received, allowing adult children and other family members to take care of other responsibilities. You can also visit our website or YELP page to view customer feedback and reviews.
Comfort Keepers
23900 Lyons Avenue
Santa Clarita, CA 91321
661-287-4200
