Seniors who live independently enjoy a wide range of benefits, from staying in the comfort of their own home to maintaining the privacy and autonomy they have always enjoyed. In fact, recent research indicates that nearly 80% of Canadians want to age in place¹—a desire we not only understand, but aim to support by offering exceptional in-home caregiver services throughout the greater Toronto area.
Here are four ways a Personal Support Worker (PSW) can help support healthy habits for seniors, allowing them to enjoy a better quality of life as they continue to live independently.
Encouraging better nutrition
Our caregivers are able to help clients with tasks like grocery shopping, meal preparation, batch cooking and even reminding seniors that it’s time for a meal. While some cognitively able seniors are able to determine when and what they’d like to eat, some older individuals require encouragement to eat both regularly and well. Our caregivers are pleased to offer this support and will also encourage proper hydration by bringing seniors a glass of water or other beverage as needed.
Managing medication
Managing daily medication can often be complicated for seniors, but our caregivers are able to assist with this task and ensure that prescriptions are taken properly and on time. This may include ensuring that certain pills are given on a full (or empty) stomach, reminding seniors to avoid dairy consumption during certain times of day if on certain medications, and simply alerting clients when it’s time for medication.
Assisting with personal care
Our dedicated caregivers are able to assist seniors with bathing, dressing, oral hygiene and other elements of personal hygiene. A PSW will also ensure that clients are dressed in clean clothes and even wash a load or two of laundry as needed. Not only is maintaining a high standard of personal hygiene good for a senior’s health, it’s great for their self-esteem and confidence.
Joyful companionship
Isolation is a major health risk², particularly as individuals age, and the companionship of a dedicated in-home caregiver can make a world of difference in their quality of life. Our PSWs are happy to play cards or board games, read aloud to clients, share conversation and stories, or go for walks in good weather. Caregivers are also available to accompany seniors to medical appointments or on errands. Life is better with good company, and we’re pleased to provide this as part of our service offering.
To learn more about in-home caregiver services from Living Assistance Services in Toronto, please contact us at your convenience. We’d be glad to answer your questions and offer a personalized quote.
² https://www.cdc.gov/aging/publications/features/lonely-older-adults.html