Active Aging
For the almost 58 million Americans who are currently 65 or older, good health isn’t only about feeling great during the day — it ensures many years of safety and freedom to continue exploring and spending time with loved ones.
Holistic home care is one solution that aims to make those years as rich as possible.
Challenges Facing Seniors
Seniors face many challenges as they age, including lifestyle changes and evolving healthcare needs. Addressing these challenges is essential for a population that has another 20+ years ahead of them!
Physical Changes and Needs
Older adults are more likely to have chronic illnesses, experience falls, and deal with limited mobility than their younger counterparts. They may also exercise less and have limited access to a balanced diet as their lifestyle changes.
Mental Roadblocks
Cognitive decline and increased rates of depression are two of the biggest mental challenges for seniors. Although about 25% of seniors experience behavioral health concerns, many don’t have sufficient access to mental health services; these conditions are also often underdiagnosed as a result. Poor mental health can decrease quality of life and lead to worsening physical health as well.
Social and Lifestyle Adjustments
Social isolation and loneliness are primary concerns for adults as they transition out of the workforce into retirement. Moving away from a long-term home, forming new friendships, and adjusting to limited mobility can all exacerbate health challenges. Activities that previously brought joy (such as attending church or chatting with coworkers) may no longer be feasible without new supports or resources.
What Is Holistic Care?
Holistic care (or holistic wellness) refers to supports and routines that address the whole person, not just one aspect of their wellbeing. Physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and social health are all addressed through holistic care.
Seeing a patient as a complete, complex picture is the most important value in holistic care. Holistic care also aligns with the World Health Organization’s guidelines to support healthy aging.
Physical Wellbeing
Holistic wellness does not avoid treating physical concerns. On the contrary, holistic care seeks to improve physical outcomes by using various methods of treatment.
Traditional medications, doctor’s visits, and physical therapies are all part of holistic care. Seniors often experience rapid changes in their health, and addressing these concerns with doctors is essential.
Mental Wellness
To support overall wellness, mental health is also important. Because seniors face both cognitive and psychological challenges, having mental health support early in the aging process is key. Access to therapists, support groups, and brain-strengthening activities all support mental wellness for seniors.
Spiritual and Emotional Support
Research shows that the social support from religious or spiritual practices can have beneficial health effects for the aging population. Similarly, experts in the field acknowledge the key role that emotional and social support play in mitigating the mental and physical impacts of aging.
Holistic Home Care
Home care for seniors is a sought-after solution to address the challenges of aging. With a nurse or home healthcare aide at home, you can easily get the care you need without giving up comfort and familiarity.
However, traditional home healthcare primarily addresses physical health needs. Combining the ideas of home care and holistic wellness results in a support system that many seniors need in their retirement years: holistic home care.
Nursing aides who administer medication and leave are not adequately addressing a patient’s social and mental support needs, and a weekly card game with friends cannot provide professional knowledge to address age-related concerns. Having skilled nurses who provide holistic home care is the best of both worlds.
What Does it Look Like?
Holistic home care nurses or companies often provide a combination of the following services:
- Professional nursing care for physical health needs, including medication and personal care.
- “Additional” physical care, including massage therapy, yoga, or acupuncture.
- Networking resources. Nurses can connect seniors with other professionals in fields like mental health and community support.
- Socialization and care. Nurses provide regular, expected interaction that goes beyond physical care, including card games or exercise.
- Connection with peers. Nurses can encourage and support seniors in joining peer groups for volunteering, socializing, and compassionate support.
The idea is to tailor services to a patient’s needs rather than providing a one-size-fits-all solution, so the possibilities for holistic home care are almost endless.
