Domiciliary Care
Domiciliary care is the provision of home care to people who cannot function independently; they rely on others for personal care and home chores. Most of the elderly prefer domiciliary care rather than being in nursing homes. That is because they are more comfortable in their homes.
Domiciliary care workers provide a wide variety of services; they include preparation of proper diets, provision of medication, personal hygiene, and assisting the client in attending the doctor’s appointments. Some of the domiciliary care workers are well-trained nurses with vast experience. The workers are supposed to be kind, friendly, and sympathetic. That will make it easy for them to establish a rapport with the clients. They should provide emotional support to the aged. These workers play a significant role in helping seniors achieve independence and live a quality life.
There are several advantages and disadvantages of domiciliary care. One advantage is that it reduces stress. Some of the older adults do not want to be in nursing homes. It is challenging to get used to the routine and the people living there. Domiciliary care allows them to stay at home with the family. Integration with a caregiver is more comfortable than adapting to a new environment. Secondly, it reduces the burden for the family. Sometimes the family members would like to take care of a senior, but they have other issues to attend. Having a caregiver gives them peace of mind. They know that there is someone who is taking care of them.
Domiciliary care also offers tailored and personalized services. The caregiver is only attending to one person. Seniors have different needs. Some require physical therapy, and others have dementia. The caregiver can attend to that particular need. Besides seniors, other people also opt for domiciliary care; they include people with mental health problems and physical disabilities. Domiciliary care is cheaper compared to nursing homes and hospitalized care. It allows patients to have time for family members and also stay with their pets.
It also has several disadvantages. One may not get the preferred caregiver, and the agency may keep changing them depending on their availability; it is challenging to bond with each one of them. When the caregiver is not around, the person may have to take care of themselves, which is stressful; it can also lead to loneliness. Geographical location may also limit access, and one may end up getting an unqualified caregiver who is not conversant with proper diets and medication.
References
Opit, L. J. “Domiciliary care for the elderly sick–economy or neglect?.” Br Med J 1.6052 (1977): 30-33.
Kendall, Jeremy, et al. “The motivations of domiciliary care providers in England: new concepts, new findings.” Journal of Social Policy 32 (2003): 489.
