Learn more about the most common needs and wants of older people, including personal connections, community, a sense of security, and more. Sayings such as: “You are as young as you feel” and “Age is just a number” have become clichés because they are based on truth. It has increased by 10 years since 1950, and as people live longer, the quality of those extra years has also become increasingly important.
Care
centers for the elderly are thriving, and housing options for older people, such as independent living and assisted living, allow older people to safely live as satisfying a life as possible for as long as possible. For many people, good health equates to freedom, independence, and the ability to stay active.Common ailments, such as osteoporosis, arthritis, and incontinence, can negatively affect quality of life. Consistent, high-quality care is important to minimize the negative impacts of these and other health conditions associated with aging. A regular schedule provides stability and consistency for older adults who may otherwise feel lost as they lose some of the control of their daily lives. With a routine of meals and activities, older people know what to expect and avoid the confusion that uncertainty can create. Food is an important part of personal care and also of the community in terms of sharing meals and celebrations.
Foods that look and taste attractive, are nutritious, and don't cause unpleasant side effects are a necessary part of everyone's overall health and well-being. Whether we participate in activities or seek companionship, being part of a community gives us a sense of belonging and connection that becomes even more important as we we get old. Older people can feel marginalized when, even after a lifetime of contributing to society, they are ignored or treated like children. Addressing older people with common respect and courtesy is especially important.
Physical activity and movement benefit the body, mind and spirit at any age. Sports, walking or simple exercises are beneficial for maintaining balance and coordination, which can prevent falls and other injuries, as well as improving mentality. Both physical and emotional comfort are vital for anyone receiving long-term care. The ability to feel relaxed and at home in one's own environment alleviates stress and anxiety and contributes greatly to overall quality of life. Colavria Hospitality currently manages four senior living communities in the Denver metropolitan area that offer a unique combination of care options.
Our mission is to provide the people we serve with an environment that focuses on hospitality, people-centered relationships, and well-being of each individual. Each community operates according to our fundamental principles of collaboration, innovation and harmony to ensure a rich and safe lifestyle for patients, as well as an enjoyable work environment for our care team. We invite you to take a tour of our facilities. Elder care services aren't limited to assistance with life and daily activities.
Older people also need help managing their money. Planning for retirement can be stressful. Even older people who have saved their entire lives need to periodically reevaluate their financial situation. Studies have shown that older people with a sense of purpose are less susceptible to cognitive decline, heart attacks and strokes, and may even live longer. Why? Because they are more likely to take better care of themselves through physical activity and are less susceptible to overwhelming stress. Learning new things and keeping your mind stimulated improves brain health.
And physical activity has been shown to delay or even improve physical disability. People over 85 are the most likely to need full-time care. At this stage, many older adults have developed significant physical or cognitive impairments that make independent living challenging or unsafe. About 70% of people in this age group require some form of long-term care, whether it's home health aides, assisted living, or nursing home facilities.
It's shocking and disturbing to hear some of the things people say about older people right in front of them, as if they can no longer hear or feel. This disrespectful behavior infantilizes aging parents and disables them as human beings. Treating older people like children is much more common among people who have physical disabilities or cognitive. However, it's important to remember that, despite the deficiencies, older adults are not children.
They are adults worthy of respect and validation. Older people, however incapacitated they may seem, are autonomous beings with preferences and thoughts. When aging parents suffer from physical or cognitive impairment, it can be easy to assume that caregivers should do what's best for them. However, it's extremely important to remember that older people of all ages and abilities still want to think and decide for themselves.
Be sure to include your parents in all decisions related to their care and their lives. See our information on older people's rights online. Successful facilities management services for seniors consider what is most important to older people in their retirement years. The caregiver will keep track of the medication schedule and ensure that the older person is taking medications as needed. Older people often take several medications for a variety of chronic conditions, and keeping track of doses and schedules can be overwhelming.
Older people may find it harder to complete daily tasks on their own and can greatly benefit from having a caregiver. Older people who were once socially active may start to avoid meetings or lose interest in hobbies they once enjoyed. These conditions often require ongoing treatment, and older people may struggle to stay on top of treatments, medications, and lifestyle adjustments. As older people age, their bodies naturally undergo physical changes that can limit their ability to function independently.
In reality, people over 90 want romantic relationships and physical intimacy just like anyone else. In fact, more than 60% of people over 60 say they have regular sex, that is, more than once a month. Differences in life expectancy and health status contribute significantly to the gender gap in the care needs of older people. Many older people live with chronic health problems that worsen progressively with age, increasing the need for regular medical care and assistance with daily activities.
In addition, older people are more likely to forget to take safety measures, such as locking doors and cars, putting them at risk. Cognitive decline, particularly memory loss or conditions such as Alzheimer's and dementia, is one of the main reasons older people need care. Another key sign that an older person may need help is difficulty managing their medications and medical appointments. Medication management is one of the most important elderly care services because it ensures that older people get the medications they need and avoid overdosing.
