Care For The Elderly Over The Phone

Elderly care is very much an issue these days, in part because the baby boomers are retiring, and are applying for Medicare and other insurance coverage. For the families of this population, care in the home is always a concern, and often a struggle. Keeping the elderly safe in their homes has necessitated many family members quit their job, or change to part-time work.

For many elderly and their families, hiring part or full-time, in-home care for monitoring and companionship is financially unfeasible. Also, on-site care is not always needed for the amount of hours caregivers wish to provide, especially if they are agency affiliated.

We need to focus more on care for elderly over the phone as a unique and very important aspect of phases of elderly care and assistance. This is due, in part, because much of the need for elderly care is for monitoring, safety, and companionship. There are agencies in many areas which provide over the phone monitoring, but not only do many areas not have them, but the types of services and timing of services are limited. Many times, care for elderly over the phone services do not personally meet the client, do not have their physical/medical information, do not know how to contact family members or understand the physical layout or hazards in the client's home. All of this can put the client at risk. Some workers who provide the care for elderly over the phone services do not have a medical or social work background, and are ill-equipped to provide comprehensive assistance when it is needed most.

A high-quality, Care for Elderly Over the Phone service is very much needed. With resources on state and local levels becoming more depleted, ways to care for elderly over the phone seems like the next step in improving our health care, and to keep tabs on older people in their homes.

Some elderly will not hire caregivers to come into their residence, as they are very private people. Even if finances are not an issue, they resent the "intrusion." Care for the elderly over the phone is a way to provide monitoring, and honor those who wish to maintain their privacy. If on-site services are required, they can be put in place for the specific reasons needed, such as bathing or shopping.

Phone systems are now available that will relay the pictures of the speakers to each other. This can provide a more personal service, as well as provide information to the caller about issues in the client's residence that may be a concern.

Even though providing care for elderly over the phone sounds like something family or friends can do, it is not always easy or convenient to stop at work, or take the time several times a day to check on someone. Therefore, care for elderly over the phone should be a priority in agency services and local government planning for the future.

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