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In this article, we’ll take a quick look at what elderly care planning is, how to create a care plan and just why elderly care planning is so important!
What is an elderly care plan?
An elderly care plan is a customised plan of care designed to meet the unique needs and preferences of an older individual. This comprehensive plan addresses all aspects of an elderly person's life, including not just their physical needs, but their emotional and social needs as well.
The care plan typically involves input from the elderly individual themselves, family members, and healthcare providers, such as doctors and nurses. The ultimate goal is to create a flexible plan that accurately reflects the individual's personal preferences, medical history, and current health status.
The care plan may include a range of services, such as assistance with daily activities, medication management, physical therapy, social activities, and medical treatment. It may also involve coordination with other healthcare professionals and agencies to ensure that the individual receives the best possible care.
An elderly care plan is an ongoing process that may be adjusted over time as the individual's needs change. Regular assessments are typically conducted to monitor the elderly individual's health and well-being and to make any necessary adjustments to the care plan.
6 steps to create a care plan for elderly
As a domiciliary care provider, here are the 6 steps you should take to create a high-quality care plan for an elderly person:
- Conduct an initial assessment: The first step in creating a care plan is to conduct an initial assessment of the elderly person's needs - including a comprehensive evaluation of their physical, emotional, and social needs. This assessment may involve reviewing their medical history, conducting a physical examination, and talking to the individual and their family members.
- Develop a care plan: Once this initial assessment is complete, the next step is to develop a care plan that addresses each of the elderly person's specific current needs accordingly. The plan should be tailored to the individual's preferences (including down to personal things like how they like their tea, or where they keep their walking stick!) and should take into account any medical conditions or limitations with every step.
- Identify specific goals: Next, the care plan should include specific goals that are designed to improve the individual's health and well-being. These goals should be measurable and should be designed to improve the individual's quality of life. For example, a goal could be ‘Take one lap of the garden or house during the care visit to help build mobility and core strength - with the goal to increase to two laps within three months’
- Determine the types of services needed: You should then determine the types of services that are needed to achieve the goals outlined in the care plan. This may include assistance with daily activities, medication management, physical therapy, and social activities such as local meet-ups or trips to the park.
- Develop a schedule: Once the types of services are identified, it’s time to develop a schedule for providing these services. This should take into account the individual's preferences and should be flexible enough to accommodate changes in their health or schedule. It should also be well within the capacity of your care team to provide, without running the risk of late or missed visits because of travel or scheduling issues!
- Regularly review and adjust the care plan: Finally, the care plan should be reviewed regularly to ensure that it is still meeting the individual's needs. Adjustments may need to be made to the plan based on changes in the individual's health, preferences, or other factors. Regular assessments should be conducted to monitor the care recipients, progress and to make any necessary adjustments to the care plan.
Importance of elderly care planning
Elderly care planning is important for several reasons! Firstly, high quality care planning helps determine the type and level of care that elderly individuals require based on their unique physical, mental, and emotional needs. This ensures that they receive the appropriate care and support to maintain their health, independence, and quality of life.
Secondly, effective care planning can help identify potential health issues or risks that elderly individuals may face, and help develop strategies to either prevent or manage them. This can help avoid health crises, minimising the need for hospitalisation or emergency care.
Thirdly, care planning can provide peace of mind to both the elderly individual and their family members by ensuring that their care needs are addressed and that they have a plan in place for the future. Growing older should be something done with confidence, and knowing there’s a plan that takes everything into account is crucial to that.
Fourthly, care planning can help identify the most appropriate and cost-effective care options for elderly individuals based on their needs and resources. This can help maximise the use of available resources, including financial resources and healthcare services! With the NHS currently under immense pressure, care planning can really help alleviate hospital admissions and support earlier discharge.
Lastly, care planning involves communication and collaboration between elderly individuals, family members, healthcare providers, and other caregivers. This can help ensure that everyone is on the same page regarding the elderly individual's care needs and goals, and that care is delivered in a coordinated and effective manner - something which is crucial for meeting regulatory requirements!
In summary, elderly care planning is important for ensuring that elderly individuals receive appropriate care, avoiding or managing health crises, providing peace of mind, maximising resource use, and facilitating communication and collaboration among caregivers.
Did you know Birdie can actively help you create the best quality care plans possible? Find out more about Birdie’s personalised care plans here!
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