Charlie spent most of his 65th birthday on a ladder painting the second story of his house. It had been his home for 31 years, and he planned to spend the rest of his life there.
Aging in place, or getting older without having to move, is a cherished goal of most Americans. Just as children flourish when nurtured in a stable environment, studies show that older adults do better mentally and physically when allowed to age in familiar surroundings among supportive friends and family.
After retirement, some couples decide to move to smaller quarters, with fewer maintenance responsibilities, or to a more favorable climate. And eventually, due to health problems and physical limitations associated with aging, many people spend the final years of their life in a nursing home or assisted care setting. For most individuals, however, the ideal is to age in place, and with supportive services now available, about 70 percent of Americans manage to remain in their own homes.
For those individuals who do not need 24 hour care, but are in need of supportive services, Beckwith Family Adult Day Services in Boone may be the resource they are looking for. The adult day center is a certified program available Monday through Friday. It provides a vibrant environment for adults requiring assistance, support, activities, and involvement with others throughout the day to be happy, active, productive and safe.
It’s estimated that 40 percent of Americans over age 75 will eventually need extensive health care services or have physical limitations affecting their daily activities. A person with heart disease may experience chest pain and shortness of breath from a modest amount of digging in the garden or from climbing one flight of stairs. Arthritic joints make it difficult to lift cooking utensils or do household chores. A frail individual struggles to get up and down from the couch. Failing vision, hearing and reduced sensitivity to touch and smell can create a significant risk for an older individual or couple.
Charlie was fortunate to live in a stable neighborhood. Most of his neighbors were in their 50s and 60s and had lived on the block for two decades or longer. They were friends who exchanged personal favors, such as watering plants and taking care of pets for each other when they were out of town for vacation. When his neighbor became disabled by stroke, Charlie made sure that Bert’s lawn was mowed and his walks were clear of snow. Unfortunately, Charlie’s neighborhood is a rare breed in today’s highly mobile culture, and even a highly supportive neighborhood is not always enough when health problems begin to take their toll.
It’s estimated that at least six million seniors require help not only with snow shoveling and home repairs but basic tasks such as getting out of bed, dressing, cooking, cleaning and handling finances. In most cases, spouses, sons and daughters help with many of these duties, often with the help of neighbors and support services in the community.
Whether family members are available or not, seniors have resources in the community they can call on. Beckwith Family Adult Day Services is helpful to individual who would like their loved one to remain at home for as long as possible, but need additional support. The adult day service program may be for you if you:
* Want assurance that medications, diet, exercise and therapy programs are followed.
* Are concerned about leaving your loved one home alone.
* Enjoy the convenience of multiple services provided at one location.
* Must balance a loved one’s care with personal and professional responsibilities.
Beckwith Family Adult Day Services is appropriate for individuals with a decreased ability to do things for themselves, memory problems, unsteadiness or frequent falls, physical challenges, personality changes, difficulty enjoying life, or conditions that affect independence such as Alzheimer’s, dementia, heart problems, arthritis or stroke.
If given the choice, most seniors would prefer to live at home with assistance rather than go to a nursing home or assisted living. And, in many cases, though not all, this is an option.
If Beckwith Family Adult Day Services sounds like a program that would benefit you or a loved one, call Kris Kvach, RN, Supervisor, at (515) 432-2275. Tours of the facility are available. |