Senior Care - Health And Senior Wellness Is A Team Journey

Senior Care – Health & Wellness is a Team Journey

The health and wellness journey that seniors and their family members experience is a team effort that involves many people. From RAL home managers and caregivers to doctors and specialists, senior residents are often surrounded by many lines of communication. In order to ensure that the resident’s health and wellness goals are being met, families need to have a quality plan to navigate and communicate with all involved parties.

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WHAT ARE THE 5 KEY COMPONENTS EVERY RAL HOME NEEDS TO HAVE IN PLACE TO PROVIDE A QUALITY HEALTH AND WELLNESS PLAN FOR SENIORS?

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]A 77-year-old senior recently said, “I am scared to go to sleep at night.” She says watching so many peers pass away weighs heavy on the mind. What could be more important than taking good care of your health, especially for seniors? Senior health care requires the coordinated support of caregivers, doctors, specialists, and family members.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]Key information is ciphered through multiple channels and caregivers must use written communication. It is important to outline a written wellness plan in order to process health information successfully. Providing quality care plans attracts families to your assisted living home. A quality wellness plan should contain characteristics that caregivers and seniors can actually follow. Write a wellness plan outline for each resident in your RAL home that consists of key components for quality care.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]

5 PART QUALITY WELLNESS PLAN

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]I. Physical

II. Emotional and Mental

III. Self-care and Me Time 

IV. Building New Habits

V. Having Fun[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]There is nothing more important than taking good care of your health. According to Statista Research Department, Americans collectively spend nearly $4 trillion annually on wellness programs. Health and wellness do not require spending lots of money, all seniors need is help with planning and a sense of willpower. People often set new health goals at the beginning of each year, but fail to follow through. RAL home caregivers are able to help residents make these goals realistic. In order to provide quality care, apply the S.M.A.R.T. method to each part of your wellness plans.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]This method means you must be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timely. Under each part, evaluate the main goals you’d like to accomplish by measuring your expectations using this method.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]

I. PHYSICAL HEALTH

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]Indicate previous improvements in the physical health of the residents. Afterward, list the most important aspect of health the resident would like to improve. Write down the steps needed to reach each goal. What services do your RAL home offer to support the health goals of your seniors? Start small. When it comes to your dental health there are orthodontist in Tuxedo that you can consult. This will help residents stay on track, without feeling the urge to give up midstream. Be sure to involve the input of doctors, dentists, and family members in this process. Highlight any underlying health issues that need attention.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]

II. EMOTIONAL AND MENTAL HEALTH

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]Life perspectives are a crucial part of well-being. In fact, emotions trigger thoughts, and consequently, actions. Health and wellness is a chain reaction of negative and positive responses to situations and events. Better emotional well-being for seniors in assisted living requires allowing residents to create their own definition of success. Dedicating time in meditation is a simple and proven strategy to calm the mind, reduce stress and help promote happiness.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]

III. SELF-CARE AND “ME” TIME

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]Self-care is about meeting your core needs, taking a break, and getting rid of toxic relationships. It is important to write down what truly makes each resident happy. How can your RAL home provide more pleasing activities that accommodate the lifestyle of each assisted living senior? Another way to improve your mental well-being is to motivate yourself. Listen to TED talks, inspirational music, attending church services, reading and use other motivational methods. Afterward, write down personal achievements in each resident’s wellness plan. Be sure to analyze and write down things that disturb each senior as well. An assisted living residence should feel like home for seniors. Creating a functional social setting is critical to self-care.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]

IV. BUILDING NEW HABITS

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]Especially as seniors, the brain needs to learn new patterns of behavior. Successful new habits must be reinforced with repetition. In each wellness plan, write new desired habits and old habits that seniors are seeking to replace. Start each habit with a trial period of 10-15 days and revisit the wellness plan routinely. A 30-day challenge is best for creating lasting habits. Challenges are also great for boosting a sense of achievement amongst seniors.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]

V. HAVING FUN

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]What is life without laughter? Seniors need adventure, fun, and visitors. A quality wellness plan must include what each resident finds most enjoyable. Write down destinations, activities, and events that lend a sense of enjoyment for residents. Encourage seniors to get out of their comfort zone and do new things. Whatever their idea of fun is, encourage seniors to do it more and do it often.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]These steps should always be included in a quality wellness plan. The more information caregivers can gather from doctors, dentists, family members, and residents, the more useful each wellness plan becomes. You can see this site to learn more. Creating the ultimate wellness plan takes time, dedication and a genuine desire to improve the well-being of seniors in assisted living.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”24px”][vc_column_text]Care-driven RAL homes are identified based on how they approach to care planning, advocating, and suggestions when developing health and wellness plans:[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]

I. Care Planning

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]Care planning is vital for residents in assisted living homes. Caregivers are required to maintain a written care plan for every resident. Itemized care plans must be reviewed based on a routine schedule, and changes must be indicated based on hospitalizations. During care plan meetings, it is important to annotate notes, prepare questions, discuss concerns and review solutions. Care plans should include content ranging from mental and physical health, dietary plans, smoking habits, and medication management.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]

II. Advocating

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]Understanding the rules and regulations of the residential assisted living home enables caregivers, family members, and residents to advocate for healthy choices. It is important for RAL homes to know the rights of residents. Advocating is one of the greatest advantages of effectively collaborating care.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]

III. Suggestions

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]Always approach senior care with suggestions. Solutions for the best senior care often start with compromise or creativity. Caregivers can help improve situations with suggestions based on daily interactions.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]The benefits of building a wellness plan based on caregiver relationships with residents include the following:[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]

  • Reduced resident turnover
  • More satisfied residents and families
  • Reduced ambulance transports
  • Reduced ER trips
  • Reduced hospitalizations 
  • Reduced overall healthcare costs
  • Happier assisted living residents
  • Lower costs for family members

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WHY DOES RALNA PROVIDE THE MOST RELIABLE ASSISTED LIVING RESEARCH?

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]RALNA is advancing the industry with information that best serves the needs of senior care. Health and wellness is a vital part of the senior care journey and many RAL caregivers need resources to sharpen their skills. The landscape of residential assisted living is rapidly growing, and RALNA helps RAL businesses stay ahead of the game. Content at www.RALNA.com includes topics ranging from legislation, innovative products, unique services, marketing resources, employee retention tips and so much more. RALNA is preparing industry owners and operators with the resources needed to serve the oncoming silver tsunami of retiring baby boomers with the best care possible.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]What strategies does your RAL home put in place to provide the best wellness and health plans for senior care?[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_separator css_animation=”fadeIn” type=”normal” color=”#eaeaea”][vc_empty_space][vc_row_inner row_type=”row” type=”full_width” text_align=”left” css_animation=””][vc_column_inner width=”1/6″][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”2/3″][vc_single_image image=”99″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center” qode_css_animation=””][vc_empty_space height=”10px”][vc_column_text]

If you found the information on this article valuable, you’ll find enormous benefits by becoming a member of our community. Visit this page to become a RALNA Member.

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