Professional Caregivers Keep Older Adults Active in Life, Improving Quality of Life

As individuals age, they are at risk of isolation and loneliness. Staying engaged and connected with family, friends, and the community is essential. Professional caregivers can play a critical role in facilitating this involvement. There are many ways that professional caregivers can help care recipients stay actively involved in life, including church, family activities, friends, community events, and the health benefits that older adults can benefit from by staying active in life.

Aging Becoming a Global Issue

According to the United Nations, an estimated 703 million people aged 65 or older worldwide. However, the number of people who turn 65 each year can vary widely depending on the country. Here are some estimates:

• World: It is estimated that approximately 47 million people turn 65 every year worldwide.

• United States: According to the U.S. Census Bureau, an estimated 3.4 million people will turn 65 in the United States.

• Canada: An estimated 310,000 people will turn 65 in Canada, according to data from Statistics Canada.

• United Kingdom: An estimated 740,000 people will turn 65 in the United Kingdom, according to data from the Office for National Statistics.

• Australia: According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, an estimated 160,000 people will turn 65 in Australia.

Aging Often Leads to Long-Term Health Care

The percentage of people needing help with daily living activities or supervision at some point in their lifetime varies depending on factors such as age, health status, and lifestyle choices. However, here are some general estimates:

• United States: According to a report by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, about half of those who reach age 65 will need some form of long-term health care in their lifetime.

• Canada: According to a report by the Canadian Institute for Health Information, 35% of seniors aged 65 and older who live in the community have some level of disability, and 14% require help with at least one activity of daily living (ADL).

• United Kingdom: According to a report by Age U.K., 42% of people aged 65 and over in the United Kingdom have a limiting long-term illness or disability, and 20% of people aged 85 and over have difficulty with at least one ADL.

• Australia: According to a report by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 49% of people aged 65 and over in Australia have a disability, and 24% of people aged 85 and over have difficulty with at least one activity of daily living (ADL).

Aging and Financial Impact

The consequences of declining health and aging can be costly to a family's income and assets, changing lifestyles and creating tremendous stress and burden on family members. 

Quality of life is often one of the most important considerations when seeking long-term health care for a loved one. Access to quality care can improve the care recipient's overall lifestyle. Long-term care costs are rising sharply but will provide the best quality of care in someone's home or a facility like assisted living. 

LTC NEWS Cost of Care Calculator - Find Your Location

Untrained and unprepared family caregivers are not the best to ensure the quality of care, and the role of being an informal caregiver changes their lives and families. 

Staying Involved in Life Despite Aging and Health Issues

Staying involved in life is essential for older adults as it helps to maintain their overall well-being, quality of life, and longevity. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), older adults' active involvement in life has been associated with increased longevity, decreased rates of disability, and improved mental and physical health. 

Participating in meaningful and fulfilling activities, such as church, family activities, friends, and community events, can enhance older adults' social, emotional, and physical health.

Older adults, or those with chronic illnesses, mobility problems, or dementia, often require help with activities of daily living (ADLs), Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs), or supervision due to memory loss. 

The ADLs are generally considered to be: 

• Transferring

• Dressing

• Toileting

• Eating

• Bathing

• Continence 

The IADLs include: 

• Bill paying

• Housekeeping

• Laundry

• Meal preparation

• Taking medications

• Shopping

• Traveling outside the home

• Using a telephone

ADL assistance can be described as hands-on assistance (direct human assistance with the care recipient) or stand-by assistance. Stand-by assistance is generally where most individuals start. The care recipient can still perform their ADLs or IADLs but need another person to be with them for their overall health and safety. 

People often think of long-term care as an older adult in a nursing home with little quality of life. This is not the case, and quality home health care providers can help someone maintain a lifestyle that is meaningful. 

According to Kinnon Fisher, owner of Amada Senior Care in Auburn and Montgomery, Alabama, facilitating connections between the care recipient and the outside world ranks high on the list of caregiving tasks. Amada is one of the nation's leading home health agencies.

Fisher says this can help support the mental and physical health of the care recipient and improve the overall quality of life. 

Sharing news about family, friends, and current events is a great way to keep the senior client connected. A newspaper or magazine is a good source of current information. Another way to encourage the care recipient is to get a computer or tablet and help them get internet access to stay connected to loved ones, play games, and meet other seniors in similar situations, even if they cannot easily leave their home.

Professional caregivers can help older adults stay engaged by assisting them with transportation, accompanying them to activities, and helping them to prepare for and participate in events. This support is vital for those with mobility or cognitive limitations that prevent them from participating in activities independently.

If mobility issues prevent the care recipient from getting out into the community, a walker, scooter, or wheelchair could provide needed physical support for more activity.

Church and Religious Activities

For many older adults, church and religious activities are essential to their lives. Religious activities provide a sense of belonging, purpose, and meaning, which can enhance an older adult's quality of life. 

Spiritual well-being was defined by the National Interfaith Conference on Aging (NICA) in 1972 as

The affirmation of life in a relationship with God, self, community and environment that nurtures and celebrates wholeness.

According to a study published in the Journal of Religion, Spirituality & Aging, older adults who participate in religious activities have higher levels of life satisfaction and overall well-being (Krause, 2010).

Spiritual needs that people, especially as they age, include:

• For Meaning, Purpose, and Hope 

• To Transcend Circumstances 

• For Support in Dealing with Loss 

• For Continuity 

• For Validation and Support of Religious Behaviors 

• To Engage in Religious Behaviors and Spiritual Needs 

• For Personal Dignity and Sense of Worthiness 

• For Unconditional Love

• To Express Anger and Doubt 

• To Feel that God Is on Their Side

• To love and Serve Others 

• To Be Thankful 

• To Forgive and Be Forgiven 

• To Prepare for Death 

According to research, religion, and spirituality have demonstrated benefits for older adults, especially as they become more dependent on others for everyday activities.

Religiosity and spirituality among elders is a consequential component of global health.

Professional caregivers can help older adults stay involved in church and religious activities by accompanying them to services, assisting with transportation, and providing support with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Additionally, caregivers can assist with communication and help older adults to participate in discussions and activities during religious gatherings.

Family Activities

Family activities are another critical aspect of older adults' lives. Spending time with family members can provide a sense of belonging, love, and support, enhancing an older adult's mental health and well-being. 

According to a study published in the Journal of Gerontological Nursing, family activities have been associated with decreased rates of depression and improved overall well-being in older adults (Hogan, Haley, & Biermann, 2016).

Professional caregivers can assist older adults with participating in family activities by providing transportation, accompanying them to events, and assisting with meal preparation and other tasks. Additionally, professional caregivers can help older adults communicate with family members and participate in activities they may not be able to do independently.

Friendship and Social Activities

Friendship and social activities are essential for older adults to maintain mental and emotional health. According to the National Institute on Aging, social interaction can help to decrease the risk of cognitive decline and improve mental health.

Additionally, social engagement can reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation, negatively impacting an older adult's overall well-being.

Professional caregivers can help older adults to participate in friendship and social activities by accompanying them to events, encouraging them to engage with others, and assisting with transportation. Caregivers can also help older adults communicate with friends and family through phone calls, emails, and other forms of communication.

Community Events

Community events such as festivals, concerts, and other local events provide opportunities for older adults to engage with their communities and participate in fun and enjoyable activities. 

According to a study published in the Journal of Aging and Health, participation in community events has been associated with increased levels of life satisfaction and overall well-being in older adults (Phillips & Blieszner, 2005).

Professional caregivers can help older adults to participate in community events by assisting with transportation, providing support during the event, and encouraging engagement with others. Additionally, caregivers can help older adults to find events that align with their interests and preferences.

Quality of Life and Health Benefits

Staying involved in life can significantly benefit older adults' quality of life and overall health. According to the American Psychological Association, social interaction has been associated with decreased rates of depression, cognitive decline, and chronic diseases. Additionally, social engagement can enhance an older adult's sense of purpose, meaning, and overall well-being.

Participation in church, family activities, friends, and community events can give older adults a sense of belonging and connectedness, which can positively impact their mental and emotional health. According to a study published in the Journal of Applied Gerontology, social support and participation in leisure activities have been associated with decreased rates of depressive symptoms in older adults (Kim, Kim, & Han, 2015).

Participation in activities can also have physical health benefits for older adults. According to a study published in the Journal of Gerontology: Medical Sciences, participation in physical activity has been associated with improved physical function and decreased rates of disability in older adults (Choi et al., 2016).

Professional caregivers can help older adults participate in physical activities such as walking, exercise classes, and outdoor activities, improving their physical health and overall well-being.

Aging Doesn't Mean Quitting Life

Staying involved in life is essential for older adults' overall well-being, quality of life, and longevity. Family members should encourage their loved ones and caregivers to stay engaged.

Professional caregivers can play an essential role in helping older adults stay engaged in life. This support can enhance older adults' social, emotional, and physical health and give them a sense of belonging, purpose, and meaning.

As the population of older adults continues to grow, it is essential to prioritize their social and emotional needs and ensure that they have the support and resources necessary to stay engaged in life. By working with professional caregivers, older adults can continue to participate in meaningful and fulfilling activities, which can positively impact their quality of life and overall health.

As long-term health care costs continue to rise, the need for planning for the costs and burdens of aging becomes even more critical to retirement planning. There are limited ways to provide quality care when a family is in the middle of a crisis. 

Planning for the consequences of aging should be part of your retirement plan. For many people, this includes Long-Term Care Insurance. With a policy, you will be ensured your family won't be burdened with dealing with your long-term care, finding caregivers -- or even providing care themselves, or draining income and assets to pay for quality care.

What Is Long-Term Care Insurance? What Does It Cover?

Long-Term Care Insurance will help you maintain a level of independence and ensure a better quality of life as you will have access to your choice of quality care options, including in-home care. 

Most people get coverage in their 40s or 50s before health issues make getting coverage more difficult or expensive.