Woodside Family Practice

Archive for the ‘Elderly Care’ Category

The Expo is designed to broaden the community’s awareness about resources available to help manage elder care issues. Throughout the day, attendees can visit information booths that promote good health and well-being and receive free health screenings.

At 11 a.m., Allen C. Waltman, M.D., Director, Geriatrics, Signature Healthcare PrimaryCare Affiliates will present the workshop “Primary Care in the Elderly”. Dr. Waltman is Board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and has additional distinctive qualifications in Geriatric Medicine.

Every attendee will receive a free copy of the latest EECO Resource Guide for Older Adults and Caregivers.

There will also be giveaways, raffle prizes, and refreshments. This free, one-day event is sponsored by Elder Education Community Outreach (EECO) and Old Colony Elderly Services’ Family Caregiver Support Program.

For more information, contact Sara Gassett at Old Colony Elderly Services, (508) 584-1561 ext. 272.

About Old Colony Elderly Services

Incorporated in 1974, Old Colony Elderly Services (OCES) is one of 27 private, non-profit Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.



The organization’s mission is to provide services which will support the dignity and independence of elders by helping them maximize their quality of life; live safely and in good health; and, prevent unnecessary or premature institutionalization.

OCES serves the towns of Abington, Avon, Bridgewater, Brockton, Carver, Duxbury, East Bridgewater, Easton, Halifax, Hanover, Hanson, Kingston, Lakeville, Marshfield, Middleboro, Pembroke, Plymouth, Plympton, Rockland, Stoughton, Wareham, West Bridgewater and Whitman.

The agency has 110 employees and operates more than 12 programs serving elders, their families and caregivers. For more information call (508) 584-1561 or visit the website at www.oc-elderly.org.

Elder care, sometimes referred to as long-term elderly care, includes a wide range of services that are provided over an extended period of time to people who need help to perform normal activities of daily living because of cognitive impairment or loss of muscular strength or control. Elder care can include rehabilitative therapies, skilled nursing care, palliative care, and social services, as well as supervision and a wide range of supportive personal care provided by family caregivers and/or home health care agencies. Elder care may also include training to help older people adjust to or overcome many of the limitations that often come with aging. If appropriate, elder care can at best be provided in the home first.

Where do we start when looking for resources for elder care for a loved one? Resources that can help the elderly stay in their own home are the first place to start. A variety of independent living services are now available to help the elderly care for themselves in their own home despite their changing physical needs. This may help, delay or totally avoid moving into an assisted living or nursing home.

Resources for Elder Care that can help the elderly stay in their own home:

Visiting Angels – Visiting Angels is non-medical in home elderly care service provider and elder care living assistance service. Visiting Angels offers a variety of customized services to help the elderly stay in their own home. Visiting Angels are elderly care specialists.

American Society on Aging – The American Society on Aging is a nonprofit organization committed to enhancing the knowledge and skills of those working with older adults and their families. This site offers useful resources on a variety of aging-related and elder care topics and elderly care advice.

Elderweb – This site is designed for both professionals and family members looking for information on elder care and long term care, and includes links to information on legal, financial, medical, and housing issues, as well as policy, research, and statistics.

National Resource Center on Supportive Housing and Home Modification – NRCSHHM is a non-profit organization that promotes aging in place and independent living for persons of all ages and abilities. The website contains excellent resources on senior housing, elder care and home modifications.

Elder Care Link – Provides resources to those in need of home care.

Alzheimer’s Foundation of America – is an organization, which provides optimal care and services to individuals confronting dementia, and to their caregivers and families.

The American Optometric Association — is the authority in the optometric profession and leads the way in its mission of improving the quality and availability of eye and vision care everywhere.

Beltone — has been helping people hear better for 65 years as the most trusted name in hearing care among adults over fifty.

By using resources available, elderly care in the home becomes a viable option. Elder care does not have to mean you have to do it alone. Becoming knowledgeable about elderly care issues make the aging transition an easier road to go down.

Elder care is such an issue that many of us might find ourselves dealing with it. We could be facing the duty of caring our elderly loved one, elder parents or a friend. The issue of elder care becomes significant when cases of broken bone or signs of dementia occur between elders. Added to this if any elderly family member has just returned from hospital, their proper caring becomes an important issue. In most of the cases the nature of these conditions tends to be fragile. Hence, situations demands adequate assistance in everyday activity. In order to ensure the welfare of elder adults, elderly home care is the best available options.

Sometimes, elder people refuse to shift to other places, even if the situation demands. For example, due to higher education or better career options relocating become inevitable. Sometimes, senior adults suffer from a sense of insecurity and lack the self-confidence. They prefer to stay at their own known place. Under this kind of situation, home care services for the elderly are one of the effective solutions.

Elder care is not limited to providing medical care. The aim of elderly home care ensures that senior adults lead an active lifestyle. Elderly home care ensures that adults become self-sufficient as much as possible. The caregivers or the companions help the adults in taking part in various activities according to their interest. With an active body, the mind equally becomes active, thereby adults regaining their self-confidence.

Locating elderly home care service becomes an easy job, if you take the help of Internet. You can also ask your friends and colleagues about the numerous types of services available with home care. But it would be sensible, if you hold a conversation with your elderly loved one before taking the service of elder home care. With this conversation, you will be able to know about the preferences of near one and avail the service accordingly.

It is a pity that many senior citizens are moved to nursing-homes or hospitals, who might just require helping hand in running daily tasks of life. The solution to this type of problems lies in the hand of elderly home care services. Senior citizens, who need non-medical support, are also benefitted from this service. Senior home care services can provide a substitute to long-term care.

Since, in most of the cases working persons are unable to give adequate time, the variant services of the senior home care service works as a good alternative. These services include light housekeeping, meal preparation, errands and shopping, respite care, meditation assistance, hygiene assistance to name a few.

The longer period senior citizen spends time at their own home, they will stay healthy both physically and mentally. Take advantage of elderly home care to ensure a better life of your elderly loved one.