What do we mean with OLD?
It depends on our physical, psychological and emotional health. But other factors are the culture and social environment we are growing old in.
WHO-The World Health Organization defines ageing as 60 +years
Ageing itself should not be seen as equal to frailty and sickness. Today WHO is encouraging “Active ageing”. This will be a great challenge for the global health care systems in the future.
The good news is that disability rates among elderly have declined in recent years. Healthier lifestyles and an awareness of prevention is the cause of this positive development.
Why is the concept of home health care important for the community and for the individual?
An awareness of demography together with decreased mortality shows that the number of elderly increases tremendously, globally. This set a demand on home care as a necessary supplement to hospitals and nursing care centers in all societies. There are physiological, psychological and emotional benefits for the individual to be at their own home and this will help to improve the general quality of life for the elderly and disabled.
The importance to have well educated nurses caring for the elderly prevents development of multiple disorders related to ageing and decreased activity.
Who may make use of our assistance and services?
A person with any physical disability due to accidents or illness living at home and in need of assistance / basic rehabilitation.
Patients discharged from hospitals after medical problems, such as stroke, fractures, cancer or major surgery etc.
Families who need help to care for their elderly or disabled, in their absence from home.
Terminal care when the family wants to care for a loved one at the ending of life at home.
Why is it important with a rehabilitative approach integrated in home nursing?
The importance of maintaining functions are essential for the prevention of diseases and handicap
Even if you only can sit up in the chair /sofa for 30 minutes at the time, it will reduce the risk for pressure sores, respiratory problem, and much more. Also to be able to meet your family and friends on a horizontal level instead of a vertical perspective makes a big difference.
Through this service common age related disorders, can be prevented, alleviated or delayed as:
Muscle weakness and atrophy
Weakness of the born structure
Depression and other psychological disorders
Problems pertaining to the circulatory system
Constipation
Pressure sores
How can the program be designed?
We strongly encourage the individual to do what is possible for him / herself. For example a person that is paralyzed on one side of the body, still has one side of the body that is functioning and can compensate for the loss.
How can we integrate rehabilitation into the nursing care?
A typical program may include assistance to the following:
• Getting in and out of the bed- with only the assist necessary. If care receiver uses his own strength to come out of bed this will help him to recover.
Personal Hygiene - if the person can lift up the arm to wash his/her face ,this will prevent stiffness(contractures),and increase muscle strength.
General mobility - If the care receiver can take weight on one leg there is no reason to lift him. Lifting will reduce the strength as well as increase risk for osteoporosis. Procare will teach and train care receiver how to do this
Different exercise programs to increase strength, endurance balance and fine motor skills for example
Companionship to lessen loneliness, boredom and isolation.
Does this service involve medical care or treatment?
We can assist with simple nursing tasks when delegated from the physician. We will be in close cooperation with the responsible physicians who will delegate what he believes can be care at home and that is not considered as a medical treatment.
Why can not the caring for the old family member be performed by other family members or house maids instead?
Family, friends and household members are no doubt a necessary support system for the elderly. But when there are certain conditions that may need special attention a professional home nurse is needed. Our assistants are professionals, trained to provide services that require a special approach, skill and educational knowledge.They also have 24 hours back-up support from the supervisor who can give valuable advices.
The care assistants are specially trained to handle the particular equipment provided by Procare.
Without proper training in lifting and transfer techniques, the caregiver can suffer serious injuries while assisting the elderly.
Our Care Assistants have been trained to have a tender touch and an empathetic approach towards the elderly. They can provide a respite to the family and friends of the elderly.
