Friday, December 19, 2008

WHAT PERSONAL CARE SERVICES ARE NEEDED BY OLDER ADULTS?

The following list was compiled by the Greater Detroit Area Health Council (GDAHC) for its policy paper entitled: "DESIRED CHARACTERISTICS OF A SYSTEM OF SERVICES FOR OLDER ADULTS."

These are services that a blue ribbon task force of experts on aging felt should be available in every community. Are they available in yours? Not every person will need every service, but every service will be needed by someone.

This blog post lists the Personal Care Services that were identified:

1. personal supervision and protection
2. supervision and assistance with personal care including care of skin, mouth, hair, etc
3. assistance in and stimulation of activities of daily living (viz., eating, bathing, transferring, etc.) and physical activities.
4. financial counseling, management
5. legal counseling
6. psychological counseling, diagnostic evaluations/work-ups
7. nutritional counseling
8. medication assistance and counseling
9. peer counseling, support groups, self-help groups
10. guardianship
11. therapies (occupational, physical, speech, recreational)
12. adaptation (personal and medical devices)
13. substance abuse counseling, diagnostic evaluation/work-ups
14. vision services
15. hearing services
16. dental services
17. provision of medical supplies
18. day care services
19. hospice services
20. pastoral services

Can you think of anything to add to this list? If so, please comment.

Bob Tell
Author, "Dementia-Diary, A Caregiver's Journal"
http://www.dementia-diary.com