According to a state Department of Health report, 82 percent of adults have at least one chronic disease and over half (53 percent) have two or more chronic diseases.
“We find that like the foundation of a family, experienced home healthcare agencies form a structure that is effective, efficient, and responsive to the needs and values of seniors and their families,” said Marissa Ramos, RN.
“Even though studies show Hawai‘i seniors live longer, they are still more likely to have one or more chronic conditions, such as cognitive impairment or heart disease,” said Marissa. “With chronic conditions come a greater likelihood of pain, loss of function and increased dependence. Skilled, licensed providers can help by carrying out physician’s orders, making assessments, assisting with managing pain and educating and training families.”
Home healthcare agencies are uniquely equipped to help seniors and their families manage a wide range of care. Experienced providers can assess needs that are less complex, yet very important to the ongoing safety and quality of life of a senior family member.
As seniors continue to age, more direct personal care may be needed. Home health aids and nurse supervisors are trained to provide both basic and more advanced levels of care.
“When consulting with adult children and their parents, it’s important to understand the fine details of our senior’s life and history,” said Janet Grace, a home healthcare sales and marketing director. “This brings a special level of trust to the discussion and allows for a more comprehensive clinical plan of care to be developed, making an uncertain and difficult task better to accomplish.”
“Every day, I have the privilege of hearing the amazing stories of our clients lives, the work they’ve done, the sacrifices they made and important lessons passed down through generations,” said Janet. “Because of these experiences, I’m deeply touched by how committed adult children are to making these same sacrifices for their parents by ensuring that safe and reliable home care is easy to access. This helps to preserve and perpetuate the legacies passed down from one generation to another.”
Caring for parents or loved ones may appear to be a relationship where one person gives and the other receives. However, research shows that the relationship actually goes both ways. Adult children caregivers experience tremendous moments of comfort, appreciation and great satisfaction.
Teaching our keiki to respect and love their kūpuna and informing them about their rich history and heritage will continue a family’s legacy of immense joy and reward far into the future.
ATTENTION PLUS CARE
Accredited by The Joint Commission
1580 Makaloa St., Ste. 1060, Honolulu HI 96814
808-739-2811 | www.attentionplus.com
AGING IN HAWAII EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH PROGRAM:
a monthly program to provide resources for seniors and
their families, instructed by a registered nurse, who covers
a different aging topic each month.
For class information on fall prevention and upcoming
topics, call 808-440-9356.
Leave a Reply