Page 67 - Lubbock Senior Link Magazine Fall 2019- Online Magazine

HONORING SENIORS

PERSONAL CARE

Services Fill Gap in

Healthcare Need

by Kim Davis

ccording to national statistics, one out of
every four American families is caring
Afor a parent, an older family member, a
spouse, or a friend. Those statistics support an
increased need for personal care services within
the healthcare industry.
In general, personal care services help individuals
alleviate concerns about themselves or a loved one
being alone and needing help with everyday tasks
such as personal hygiene and dressing, getting to
appointments, post-hospitalization and companion
care.

“As we continue to see Medicare cuts in individual
care plans, many are often left without the proper
assistance to function safely in the home,” said
Bradley Madison, administrator/owner of Calvert
Personal Care Services (CPCS) .

One of the greatest long-term needs of older adults
and those with chronic illnesses is for in-home,
skilled care services. Those who provide such
services are referred to as personal care assistants
who are trained as certified nursing assistants,
custodial care workers and personal companions.

In-home workers make it possible for people
with functional limitations to remain at home in
a comfortable, safe and familiar environment.
Personal care assistants provide a wide range
of assistance with activities of daily living,
such as bathing, dressing, grooming, assisting
with transfer or ambulation, toileting, light
housekeeping, laundry and providing medication
reminders.

In addition, personal care assistants help with
instrumental activities of daily living, such as
shopping, meal preparation, making medical
appointments, transportation, laundry and
companionship.

As the aging population continues to “boom”,
there will be increasing need for these
professionals. Cost of nursing care is an issue,
but for most seniors, the comfort of being home is
invaluable.

Lubbock Senior Link 67