As seniors grow older, their circle of friends, acquaintances, and even family draws tighter – especially if their health or other circumstances prevents them from getting out as much as they did previously. For the senior caregiver, the world also tends to become smaller, as a significant amount of their time is dedicated to the needs of their loved one at the expense of personal pursuits. The needs of seniors and the responsibilities of caregivers grow and change over time, but what can remain constant is the support networks available to provide assistance.
While there are many wonderful resources available at the state and national level including the Caregiver Action Network (CAN), Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA), and others, Senior LIFE through its LIFE Health and Wellness Centers provides a broad range of customized services that encompass both the health & wellness and emotional/social support needs of seniors and their family caregivers alike.
As a uniquely structured and positioned entity in the senior healthcare space, Senior LIFE offers eligible participants access to local LIFE Health and Wellness Centers. These centers, which function similarly to a senior center but with the added benefit of providing comprehensive healthcare through an interdisciplinary team of medical professionals including doctors, nurses, therapists, and others, are warm and inviting places where seniors can socialize, receive hot meals, and freely interact within a vibrant community of their own.
Program participants are given access to a dedicated social worker who helps manage and coordinate care while also addressing emotional, family, and social needs. Senior LIFE social workers serve as a trusted liaison for caregivers who they communicate with regularly. Social workers are also able to connect you with additional resources within your community, as well as provide family support and individual counseling.
Senior LIFE’s array of in-home care services also work to expand the caregiver network into a senior participant’s home, which can give family caregivers a much needed respite and peace of mind in knowing that their loved one is in good hands and someone is checking in during the day. In-home care can include compassionate personal care services designed to help seniors maintain independence and dignity. These services include help with dressing, toileting, showering or bathing, grooming, light housekeeping, and more.
At Senior LIFE, we believe that living independently doesn’t mean you have to go it alone. Part of our core mission of keeping seniors in their homes entails creating meaningful and productive connections that foster community for both the senior participant and the family caregiver. To learn more, visit us at www.SeniorLIFEPA.com or call 1-877-998-LIFE (5433).
