Inadequate dental care for seniors is one of the most overlooked problems in the elderly community, yet it’s one of the leading causes of diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and lung disease. The elderly neglect their oral care because oftentimes, they are unable to brush their own teeth and they need to rely on the assistance of another person to do it for them. Dementia further complicates the problem, causing seniors to misinterpret your behavior if you are trying to help them. Residents with dementia can get pretty violent, which makes treatment and elder care challenging. It is very important for the caregiver, nurse assistant, or home health aide to establish a good working relationship first, otherwise a suspicious senior may perceive you as invading their personal space.
Although there is no specific ratio of staff members to nursing home residents, assisted living facilities and nursing homes are notorious for having understaffed teams of caregivers and nurses who are grossly outnumbered by their patients. It’s easy for nurse assistants to overlook oral care, especially if a senior with dementia starts to physically hit the assistant to resist dental care.
If you have a loved one who is currently residing in a nursing home, or if you have an elderly loved one who lives with you, you can try hiring a home health aide or skilled caregiver who knows how to persuade your loved one to brush their teeth. It can be humiliating to allow a family member to brush their teeth for them; try an experienced home care provider who will connect with your elderly loved one, especially if it’s been a while since they have been to the dentist.
A-1 Home Care has skilled caregivers, companions, certified nurse aides and home health aides who will visit your loved one at a nursing home or provide a full-service range of meal preparation, medication reminders, transportation, bathing, grooming, and hygiene in the comfort of your own home. If you are concerned that your loved one may not be getting the attention he or she needs at a nursing home, we will step in and deliver superb individual attention to your family member.
Call A-1 Home Care today for a free quote (310) 657-8780 or visit our website https://www.a-1homecare.com/ for more information. Established in 1991, A-1 Home Care has established trust in communities like Malibu, Manhattan Beach, Hollywood, Brentwood, Redondo Beach, and surrounding cities in the Greater Los Angeles area.
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