Things Professional Caregivers Can Do for Seniors with ALS
According to the National Institute of Health, nearly 15,000 people in the United States have Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis or ALS. This condition usually affects people between the age of 55 and 75. Like most diseases that affect older adults, ALS is progressive and has no cure. If an older loved one is diagnosed with ALS, with time, they will rely entirely on others for help with daily activities. It is a challenging disease to cope with and requires a lot of dedication from caregivers. Hence, hiring a personal care at home service can alleviate the burden of keeping your senior comfortable without compromising their well-being. Here are things professional caregivers can do for someone with ALS.
Wheelchair Transfers
Seniors who use a wheelchair need to be transferred to various surfaces periodically, like a bed, couch, or recliner. Wheelchair transfers can be dangerous to the older adult and primary caregiver if they don’t have the knowledge or expertise. However, personal care at home experts are highly trained to handle such situations with the utmost care and professionalism. Your aging relative can sit anywhere they want comfortably throughout the day. It is advisable to avoid wheelchair transfers if you are the only person around since it can cause devastating injuries and other complications.
Dressing
As mentioned, personal care at home professionals help with day-to-day tasks like cleaning, cooking, and dressing. In the early stages of the disease, dressing can be a significant problem, especially by fastening the buttons, pulling clothes over their legs and arms, and pulling up the zipper. Since older adults prefer living independently for as long as possible, a personal care at home provider will only step in to help with complex dressing parts.
Bathing
Good hygiene is vital for self-esteem and good health. ALS is a progressive disease, meaning most tasks a senior performs independently, like bathing, require help. Cleaning an older loved one can be uncomfortable for family members, so it is advisable to consider onboarding a personal care at home provider to assist. A professional alleviates all the awkwardness and ensures the senior maintain proper hygiene.
Eating
Older adults diagnosed with ALS may start experiencing trouble lifting utensils or eating food. Even if they manage to put food in their mouth, swallowing can become challenging as the disease progresses. Many seniors living alone can become malnourished or choke while swallowing food. If you lead a busy lifestyle and need help to care for a senior, a professional caregiver can help prepare soft foods that are easy to swallow and coordinate with a dietitian to prevent nutrition deficiencies.
Nothing is more frustrating than sitting alone at home without the ability to move around or engage in social activities. Unfortunately, this is the case for many older adults living with ALS, but it doesn’t have to be for your relative. Personal care at home experts engage seniors and help them with various activities so they don’t feel alone. If you or an older loved one needs help caring for an ALS patient, schedule a consultation with a reputable caregiver.
Source: Source 1
If you or an aging loved one are considering Personal Care at Home in Fort Lee, NJ, please contact the caring staff at Applause Home Care today. Call (201) 326-8051
Applause Home Care provides independent, non-franchised quality Home Care for elders and families in and around Fort Lee, Hackensack, Ridgewood, Wyckoff, Paramus, Glen Rock, Pompton Plains, Franklin Lakes, Westwood, Montvale, and Fair Lawn, New Jersey.
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