Assisted Living or Home Care? Choosing the Right Home Equipment for Seniors
>> Aug 31, 2018
Planning is going on to appoint a
minister for seniors in Canada which is a good thing as seniors need all the
support they can get. This is also a wise move because the numbers of aging people increases.
If you are a senior or a caretaker of a senior
who wants the best for the senior, you should know about assisted living and
home care, and you should decide of choosing one of them on the basis of the
needs of the senior. You should also choose the right home equipment for
seniors by visiting a website like Halo Healthcare where you can buy any
imaginable seniors’ product at the best prices.
Understanding
Assisted Living Homes
You should start by knowing what are assisted living
homes and who are they meant for. Assisted living homes are
homes that allow a senior with minimal support and guidance while allowing a
senior to enjoy his or her independence. They are made for seniors who need
only minimal care or attention on a daily basis. At such a home, you can expect
help with chores like organizing your medications, but you can’t expect
full-time and long-term care by professionals. So, people who need a wheelchair
to move around cannot depend on the assisted living homes.
Understanding
In-Home Care
As you might have guessed, in-home care is
usually the opposite of assisted living. Many agencies provide in-home care in
which a professional caretaker is assigned to a senior to help the senior live
a normal life. The professionals are trained to deliver any kind of service, be
it companionship or supervisory care. In-home care is best suitable for seniors
who don’t want to leave their homes but cannot depend on a friend or family
member to take care of all their needs.
Choosing
the Right Home Equipment for Seniors
It is hoped that by now you have a clear idea of
whether you or a loved one needs assisted living homes or in-home care. No
matter which of the options you have chosen, you should know that there are a
few home equipment pieces that are needed by most seniors whether they are
living at assisted living homes or they have opted for in-home care.
Read About
the Equipment Options
The process of choosing the right home equipment
begins with reading about all the equipment pieces and their categories and
making a list of equipment you or an elderly loved one would need. Once you do
that, the process of selecting would be easier and more convenient.
Know About
the Broad Categories
Some of the categories that you would come across
while seeking the best equipment for seniors are mobility & accessibility,
orthopedic, incontinence, therapy & fitness, daily living aids, wound &
skin, and stockings & foot care.
Identify
Essential Equipment
A few pieces of equipment that can prove to be
handy for most seniors are canes, wheelchairs, walkers, grab bars, raised
toilet seat, disposable gloves, incontinence briefs, supports & braces, leg
warmers, bandages, back support cushions, etc.
Choose
from Rent or Buy
Many people face the rent or buy decision when it
comes to choosing the right home equipment for seniors. We suggest that you
rent expensive products like a wheelchair if you don’t need it for the long
term and buy small and less expensive products like canes, walkers, bandages,
etc.
Seek
References
If you are after a discount or you want to ensure
that you buy only top-quality equipment, then you should ask your doctor or a
medical professional to recommend a few products or brands. It will ensure that
you buy products that last long and offer value for money.
Read
Reviews
Once you have made a list of equipment you need
to make the life of a senior easy, you should check the reviews of different
products to know about their durability, average lifespan, quality, and worth.
Reading reviews of seniors or caregivers of seniors who have bought the
products would let you know an unbiased opinion about the products you intend
to buy.
Compare
Products
The next step is to compare different products in
each category and buy ones that meet the needs. For instance, while comparing
wheelchairs, you should look for wheelchairs that can be moved by the person
sitting in it without anyone else’s assistance. This will make the senior (who
is using the wheelchair) feel more independent and in control.
Seek a
Giant Store
It is also recommended that you buy all the
equipment you need from a giant online or offline store that specializes in
offering the products for the elderly. It will not only help you save time, but
you may also get attractive discounts if you buy multiple products at once.
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