Sooner or later, everyone must at some point deal with the question: How should it go on in old age? Regardless of whether this concerns one’s own future or that of one’s parents – in any case, it is important to have a plan in place before one’s strength wanes, one’s illness worsens or one’s memory weakens. Around 80 percent of people over the age of 50 would like outpatient care at home if they needed it. In this way, not only can the familiar surroundings be preserved, but also a piece of freedom and individuality. But there are a few things to consider when choosing the right care service.
Outpatient care: helper instead of intruder
Ideally, the life partner, a child or another relative agrees to take care of the person in need of care several times a day. However, due to work, family or other responsibilities, this is not always possible – at least not to the full extent – and a professional caregiver is needed to assist. This not only relieves the burden on relatives, but also gives them more time. Instead of wasting valuable free time feeding, washing and cleaning, you can leave such care services to a professional and instead go for a walk with the person in need of care, play cards or read something to them. It is true that it is unusual, especially for older people, to share intimate matters such as personal hygiene or going to the toilet with a stranger. At the same time, many people are uncomfortable, for example, having their children, who have looked up to them all their lives, suddenly wash them or take them to the toilet. Such situations may be less problematic with a professional than with your own relatives.
Trust your gut feeling
Nevertheless, the nurse should treat the patient as lovingly as possible, as if she were related to him. Here there are qualitatively large differences with care services. While some work lovelessly as well as in staccato and dispatch their customers in minute cycles, others take their time, listen and respond to individual needs. The choice of the right care service should therefore be well thought out. Ask around among your acquaintances for experiences with care services, ask your family doctor and visit the services you can choose from in person. Get to know the staff there in a personal conversation. Pay attention to your gut feeling. Do the caregivers seem cheerful and motivated, or stressed and disinterested? During the conversation, ask if care is always provided by the same caregiver, or if you have to adjust to a new face every day.
Outpatient care: services vary
The better trained the caregivers are, the better care you can expect from them as well. This is especially true if you need to take medications or get injections on a regular basis. The more help you need, the more comprehensive the service should be. So think beforehand about the areas of your life in which you need support: should the caregiver help with household chores, cleaning, bringing meals, administering medication, doing the shopping and running errands? Or is it enough for you if someone briefly checks on you twice a week? Find out beforehand whether the care service also offers all the services you want.
Outpatient care – around the clock in the neighborhood?
Pay attention to cleanliness and hygiene: do the employees wear clean clothes, do they appear well-groomed, are they well equipped with auxiliary materials? Last but not least, it is also important that the care service is close by so that it can be on the spot quickly in an emergency. Find out whether there is also an on-call service on weekends and at night. In addition, the care service should be networked with other institutions that are important for personal care – such as the family doctor or social services. In general, of course, it is important that the care service is able to settle its services with care and health insurance companies. Depending on the care level, the patient is namely reimbursed by the insurance company for the costs of the care service.
Care alone is not enough
To make it possible to live at home in old age, a good nursing service is often not enough. If old, frail people live alone, various remodeling measures should be made in the home to make everyday life easier and prevent accidents. These include, for example:
- The installation of ramps and stair lifts
- The installation of handrails and grab bars
- The lowering of shelves and wall cabinets
- The installation of a shower seat or a bath lift
- The raising of the bed and the toilet seat
If old people are supported by such assistance and a friendly, competent and reliable care service in their own homes, then nothing should stand in the way of a self-determined life.
