What Do You Know About Senior Care?

By: Suzy Edris

There are millions of Americans who are over the age of 60. Some of them are still strong and can still work for a living. There are some of them however who are weak and forgetful. They are the elderly people who we often see in senior care facilities.

No one should assume senior care is so easy. The volunteers at senior care homes are the living proof. They find that the job is very taxing and needs a lot of patience. If you have children, you will know that caring for elderly people is very much the same as caring for young children because they need a lot of attention, caring and caution. In addition to that their health is of a great concern. As we know elderly people are more inclined to health problems because of their age and their weakening systems. Actually some of them have serious health problems which have to be closely watched by their physicians.

Below are some of the truths in senior care that you should know first before you decide to get into senior care.

1. Senior care is not easy

Senior care is hard work. If you are thinking that your job is just sitting watching over your elderly while they sleep the whole day, you are wrong. These people need little sleep. This is more so with those who are sent to senior care homes who will enjoy the chance given to them to socialize and to do some fun activities that they surely like to participate. Your job is like a supervisor except that you are asked to watch over the elderly people 24/7. Your tasks include taking care of their meals, their medicines and their clothing. What happened to those who are too weak to move? You will have to also clothe them, bathe them and even help them with their bowel movements. So hopefully it is clearer what senior care is to you.

2. Senior care is multi-tasking

Don't expect to have just one charge to take care of. Most senior care homes will assign two to five patients per caregiver unless of course you were hired specifically for one patient or the facility that you worked in caters to the rich and the famous. In addition to watching over your charges, you will also be tasked to schedule their medicines and to take care of their food intake and diet.

3. Senior care can be depressive

Remember that when you are taking care of elderly people, you are basically in charge of their health. This is more true with those who have illnesses and health conditions. You must know everything about their health problems and also their medications. A little familiarity on first aid will also go a long way in senior care.