How live-in care can help to reduce the progression of age-related illnesses and reduce the risk of falls.

‘Live-in care’ is sometimes called ’24-hour care at home’, ’24 hour care’ or ’24 hour live-in care’, but what does that actually mean?

Live-in care is a type of home care service. A home care service simply means that you are supported by a care worker in your own home. The difference with live-in care is that your care assistant will live in your home with you rather than only visiting at times when specific care or support is needed.

Live-in care has a number of benefits which we will be exploring through our latest blog series – Exploring Live-in Care with Bluebird Care. In this blog article we explore how live-in care can help to slow down the progression of age-related illness and reduce the risk of falls in older people.

Live-in care can help to slow down the progression of age-related illness and reduce the risk of falls in older people in a number of ways:

• Personal care: Live-in care assistants can provide personal care, such as bathing, dressing, and grooming, which can help to prevent skin breakdown and other health problems and help someone to maintain good personal hygiene.
• Medication management: Live-in care assistants can help to manage medications, which can help to prevent drug interactions and other medication-related problems. They can also remind older adults to take their medications on time, which can help to improve their overall health.
• Nutritional support: Live-in care assistants can help to ensure that the person/s they are providing care and support for are getting the nutrients they need, which can help to slow down the progression of age-related illness. They can also help to prepare meals and snacks, which can make it easier for someone to eat healthy.
• Social interaction: Live-in care assistants can provide social interaction and companionship, which can help to reduce loneliness and depression. They can also help someone to stay active and engaged, which can improve their overall health.
• Mobility: Live-in care assistants can help someone with their mobility, such as transferring from a bed to a chair, or reminding someone to use their walking aids which can reduce the risk of falls and falls related injuries.
• Fall prevention: Live-in care assistants can help to reduce the risk of falls by helping older adults to stay active and mobile. They can also help to identify and remove hazards in the home, such as loose rugs and clutter.

In addition to these specific benefits, live-in care can also provide peace of mind for family members and friends, knowing that their loved one is being well-cared for in their own home.

Here are some additional tips for reducing the risk of falls in older adults:

• Stay physically active. Exercise helps to improve balance and coordination, which can help to prevent falls. A live-in care assistant can help to encourage someone to take daily walks and even attend exercise classes.
• Wear sensible shoes. Shoes with good traction and support can help to prevent slips and trips. Wearing shoes that fit and are in good condition is also essential to help reduce the risk of falls.
• Remove home hazards. Make sure that your home is free of clutter and tripping hazards.
• Light up your living space. Good lighting can help to improve visibility and reduce the risk of falls.
• Use assistive devices. If you have difficulty walking, there are a number of assistive devices that can help to keep you safe.

If you are concerned about the risk of falls for an older adult in your life, talk to your doctor or a healthcare professional. They can help you develop a fall prevention plan that is tailored to the individual's needs.

To find out more about our live-in care services, give our Customer Care team a call today!