Overcoming the Elderly's Resistance to Assistance

There has always been a stigma associated with aging. Older Americans are often reluctant to acknowledge they need assistance because they fear losing their independence or becoming a burden to family. For over 20 years, Assisted Living Services in Meriden has encouraged families to create a plan early on that covers the full spectrum of senior care during Healthy Aging Month in September.

“Unfortunately it often takes a medical crisis before an elderly person can admit and accept the fact that he or she needs help,” explained Ron D’Aquila, RN and Co-founder of Assisted Living Services, Inc. (ALS) in Meriden. “Most often it’s family members, such as sons or daughters, who actually call to inquire about care because they say ‘my mom doesn’t think she needs help.’”

Instead, D’Aquila suggests having ‘The Talk’ with an elderly loved one about care to avoid problems in the first place. “Choose the right time, maintain your composure, be persistent, and involve other supportive family if possible. A proactive, progressive plan that incorporates the wishes of the senior person to remain at home will ensure their safety and happiness.”

The first step in the plan is assessing the home environment. ALS offers a free home safety inspection using a Quality Assurance Visit Checklist to make sure any areas of weakness are identified and corrected. For current clients, ALS Case Managers conduct unannounced visits and use the checklist to attend to the cleanliness of the environment, reduce clutter (which effectively lowers the risk of falls), ensure that medications are secured, and post an emergency plan that can be verbalized, among many other things.

“We focus on the main risk factors that impact seniors and individuals with disabilities the most: falls, medication compliance, fire safety, and rapid access to emergency care,” said D’Aquila.

Based on the findings, a Plan of Care will be created. “Of course, people are all different, as are their needs, so each client’s plan is personalized,” said D’Aquila. For example, if a client is in a weakened state from a recent setback or hospitalization, or is at risk for falls, ALS will have one of its Assistive Technologies Specialists from sister company Assisted Living Technologies, Inc. reach out to consult on various technological options that can supplement personal care.

Devices that can augment care include:

· Wireless bed-pad sensors that can alert a caregiver or family member living in the house that the client is getting up from bed or a chair so that the caregiver can respond and reduce the risk of a fall.

· Personal Emergency Response Systems with fall detection technology that can automatically call 911 if the person is unable dial the phone.

· Sensors that can send alerts if the client is wandering from a designated area.

· Electronic medication management systems to maintain compliance.

All of these technologies are provided at no cost and included free as part of the ALS CarePlus plan, an innovative and award-winning approach to caregiving. According to D’Aquila, “this approach is just smart business, providing a value-added program that benefits the home care client with the potential to reduce falls, improve quality of life, or improve medication compliance makes complete sense.”

Assisted Living Services can also help with the transition from facilities, visiting nurses, hospice and other disciplines by working collaboratively with discharge planners. As a home care provider, ALS is often the first to see an issue that needs to be addressed in order to improve a patient’s the quality of life. For example, there may be an issue of mobility. Certain equipment, such as a hospital bed or Hoyer lift, can improve safety not only for the client but also for the caregiver.

Assisted Living Services, Inc. and Assisted Living Technologies, Inc. are based in Meriden, Connecticut. The award winning home care company has over 400 employees serving clients across the state. Learn more by visiting www.assistedlivingct.com or calling 203-634-8668.