Wellness Check-In Program For Seniors
For our older seniors who live alone, a timely wellness check is crucial to make sure that they are safe and comfortable. However, the family could be prevented from checking in as frequently as they would like by work, obligations, family, and life in general. According to Statistics Canada, 24.6% of older individuals live alone, compared to 14.7% of the total population. Seniors experience many changes as they age, including changes in their intellect, mobility, social life, and general health.
When a senior's health, safety, or general well-being is at risk, regular senior wellness assessments become imperative. Sometimes it's impossible to contact your loved ones, and you need someone to simply go and see whether everything is all right for your own peace of mind. It will be vital to engage someone to drop by and check on your loved ones whenever there is a change in their routine.
Our senior citizens occasionally dislike burdening their family members by disclosing significant changes in their lives. Even when they begin to lose the ability to carry out daily tasks, they still strive to hide this from family until something happens that could put them in the hospital or worse. Many times, seniors may refuse to accept any help with care since they prefer to handle things on their own and may be in denial.
When should you arrange a senior welfare check because you are worried?
They don't answer the door or the phone when you try to reach them.
You notice that they are beginning to forget things.
When your elderly loved one is recovering from surgery.
Seniors are especially vulnerable in situations like intense heat or cold. Whenever these situations arise, regular checks will be important
When they return home from the hospital or E.R and you want to make sure they are adjusting well. Many times, when they come back home, they are still weak and need some assistance to transition to regular daily life.
When they receive vaccines that may have side effects.
When their cognitive impairment is declining, can they remember information? Is there any short-term memory loss, or rapid mood swings?
What specifics are examined during a wellness examination?
Do they eat healthily? Are there enough groceries for them? In the refrigerator, are there any spoiled foods?
Is the home in good condition? Watching out for clatter or any dangers in the home that could lead to falls or other injuries, in addition, to making sure that everything is being taken care of in the house. E.g., blown light bulbs, pet care
Is the senior being examined properly dressed? Are they wearing soiled clothes? Did they shower or bath?
Do they take their prescribed medication at the appropriate time? Reminding them to take their medicine as prescribed
Checking mobility, are they finding it hard to move around, hard to stand, do they need support when standing, any limping?
Pay attention to their wants and needs.
Monitor their vital signs.
Have they stopped engaging in their hobbies or preferred pastimes? Do they simply want to be by themselves?
Every wellness exam is very individualized.
Benefits
Allows for advance care planning for your loved ones
Preventive care services can be put in place to make sure your senior loved ones are safe. Full assistance in setting up the care services or activities to address the concerns raised from the wellness check
Allows for seniors to communicate their wants or needs and for these to be addressed
Families get access to resources that can help with the situation at hand.
Peace of mind for the family.
A detailed report is sent to the concerned family member after each wellness check.