Caring For Baby Boomers and Seniors In Their Own Homes

With proper health care, you as a baby boomer or senior could live to be 100 years if age, or older. You can also be instrumental in helping other baby boomers or seniors live to be a ripe old age, in their own homes.

Senior care is becoming a major concern in North America, particularly because there are thousands of baby boomers and seniors in our era. By baby boomers, I am referring to those who were born after World War 11 and those over sixty five as seniors. It is only a matter of time, before baby boomers become seniors too.

The big problem for baby boomers and seniors lies in the reality that very soon, there are not going to be enough nurses, personal support workers or even family members to care for them, or perhaps for you, if you are a baby boomer heading into retirement.

Hospitalization or nursing home care may not be feasible or possible for the majority of baby boomers and seniors, in spite of the fact that it will be needed by many of them. For many,  it may mean twenty four hour care, seven days per week.

The actual cost of hospitalization and health care is extremely high already. Many baby boomers and seniors may not be able to afford the kind of care they will need.

What can we do to rectify this situation? Everyone of us has baby boomers and seniors in our lives; many of us are in baby boomer status already, or beyond that age.

Can baby boomers and seniors be cared for in their own homes? Definitely.

Ten tips for managing baby boomer or senior care at home:

1. Baby boomers and seniors are generally most comfortable in their own homes, with their family members and in amongst their own belongings. To take them out of that environment may result in dis-orientation. They are accustomed to the food, temperature, air, etc. and changing any or all of that may result in other, more serious problems. They are used to having people come and go in their lives, as well. This is the world that they know.

2. Safety is a major concern and the majority of baby boomers and seniors feel safe at home. In fact, most of them have already instituted safety precautions for themselves, although this is not always the case. One of the first things that must be taken into consideration is whether or not the baby boomers or seniors are safe. If not, immediate action is necessary on the part of the family or designated care giver.

3. In taking a serious look at health care in the home of baby boomers or seniors, it is always a good idea to do an assessment of the environment, in the light of what is currently happening. This can be done quite easily, by spending quality time with the baby boomers or seniors and other family members. Visiting the family doctor with the baby boomers or seniors, along with other family members is generally a good idea. Remember that many of these men and women will have had the same doctors for many years and their doctors may be almost the same age they are. The doctors will likely know the baby boomers or seniors well and their preferences must be taken into consideration.

4. Remember that baby boomers or seniors in need of care, will have definite ideas about what they expect in terms of their own health care needs. Many of them may not have had sufficient care in the recent past and will improve immensely when their proper health care needs are met. You may be totally amazed at the degree of improvement. They may or may not understand the current changes in the health care system, and you may have to explain it to them.

5. Dietary needs are especially important, as nutrition is a primary factor in health care. Assess the baby boomers or seniors for their ability to provide adequate food to sustain their health. Many of them  may not have sufficient income to provide for their own dietary requirements. They may need to obtain a supplemental income of some kind. A few may be hoarding their disability or old age pension checks and not using them to meet their needs. Find out who is looking after their finances and work with that family member or other person. If necessary, find or designate a family member to take the financial responsibility for them.

6. Assessing medical needs is a huge factor. Many baby boomers or seniors will be in need of wheelchairs, walkers, canes, etc. and have never had anyone to help them in this regard. They may need drugs that they cannot afford and will require assistance in that respect. They may require other health care items that can be obtained quite easily. What about their medications? Ask them if they are taking their medications? If not, why not? Where are they obtaining them and are they over-priced? Are they hoarding their medications or using out-dated medications? Have they obtained generic drugs? Do they know what generic drugs are? How are their medications stored? Do they know how to dispose of medications that are outdated or have not been used?

7. Spiritual needs are extremely important to baby boomers and seniors, as the era in which they grew up probably focused on having those needs met. Do they have a priest, pastor or chaplain? Is that person aware of what these baby boomers or other seniors stand in need of at this time in their lives? Make contact with the person of their choice, if they are not able to do so.

8. Have plans been made for baby boomers or seniors, should they pass away unexpectedly? Is there a 'DNR' (do not resuscitate) order request, signed by the baby boomers or seniors, family members and their doctor? Has a will been drawn up? If not, why not? Does he or she have legal counsel? What about power of attorney? This may prove to be extremely important in the future.

9. Fear and paranoia are major issues with baby boomers or seniors, as many have had bad experiences previously with others including health care workers, lawyers, doctors, etc. A lot of them have had their homes broken into and things stolen by people who they have trusted, including family members and friends. It is like losing a part of themselves when there is a violation like this in their homes. It is not easy to get people to trust you when they have been violated in some way, by someone else.

10. Health involves healing, happiness and wholeness. You can be instrumental in bringing this into the life of  baby boomers or seniors as minor care givers, family members, personal support workers or nurses. Consider carefully what you can or cannot do and then make a positive, constructive decision with respect to the baby boomers or seniors in your life or under your care. Care is important, but quality care is even more important.

Remember that there are those around you who have gone through this before and that you are not alone in caring for baby boomers or seniors. There are many organizations which can be of help, as well. What you do can be instrumental in helping others to live to a ripe old age.

Think about doing some of these things for yourself also, if you are a baby boomer or a senior and you could be among the ones who live to be a hundred years of age or older.