Non Medical Home Care Services in Atlanta, Georgia

Bathing or showering is one of the most basic ways to protect the body from common illnesses, ailments, and infections, and also to avoid foul odors. The frequency of washing our bodies usually depends on many factors, including culture and individual health needs. Health experts, however, recommend taking a bath or showering at least once daily, especially when it comes to sensitive body parts, such as genitals and underarms.

At Rosewood, we have noticed that the most common challenge experienced by seniors when it comes to practicing good personal hygiene is difficulties getting in and out of the bath. Others lack enough energy and/or balance to stand in the shower.

If you or your loved one is experiencing such a situation, it is important to seek or offer assistance as it is very easy for slips and falls to occur in the shower or bathroom if proper measures are not taken. Some of the safety measures we advocate for in such cases include installing walk-in tubs and grab bars, investing in a transfer bench or a shower chair, and placing non-skid/non-slip mats on the tub, shower, or bathroom.

Also, for seniors who require assistance with bathing or showering, we have noticed most are not comfortable revealing their bodies to anyone, and this includes their caregivers. For this reason, our caregivers have been trained to protect the dignity and respect of all clients as much as possible when providing personal care.

For example, a client who is still able to clean their private parts efficiently will be encouraged to do so with a little help from the caregiver. Also, whenever possible, our caregivers will only expose the body part that is being washed leaving the rest covered with a towel or robe as the process of washing goes on. We strongly believe helping our clients to bathe or shower should never be a degrading experience for them.

When it comes to bathing products, we always work with our clients’ healthcare providers and family to determine the best products based on their individual needs. But all in all, we usually advocate for products that have neutral pH to prevent the skin from becoming too dry.

Our caregivers have also been trained on the importance of using towels that are fresh, soft and dry when drying their clients after a shower or bath. This is because a moist towel can harbor bacteria and cause infections when used on the skin.

To lessen irritation and minimize the chances of clients developing dry skin, our caregivers have been trained to avoid rubbing the skin dry. Instead, clean towels are used to pat them dry, after which the skin is gently moisturized using the products recommended by their healthcare providers or family.

Our bathing service is part of the in-home care package which includes services like meal preparation, feeding, laundry, dressing, grooming, toileting, dental care, light housekeeping, medication reminders, and more.

At Rosewood Home Care, we know that certain conditions, such as Alzheimer’s, dementia, depression, arthritis, and others can make it difficult, or even totally impossible for seniors to perform a seemingly uncomplicated daily activity like brushing or flossing of the teeth. Some medications too can affect one’s health in a way that makes it necessary to change their daily dental routine.

Poor dental care puts seniors and other individuals who are not able to maintain dental hygiene for one reason or another at risk for oral problems such as bad breath, stained teeth, cavities, and gum disease. Unfortunately, there are more serious health issues that can result from poor dental hygiene, including:

• Dementia – Alzheimer’s disease may develop if bacteria travel to the brain via the bloodstream or via the nerve channels located in the head.
• Heart/cardiovascular disease – may happen when bacteria enter the arteries in the heart via the bloodstream.
• Respiratory infections – may occur when a person breathes in bacteria from infected gums and teeth.
• Diabetes complications – diabetes sufferers are more susceptible to gum disease and other periodontal complications. Inflammation of the gums, in particular, can worsen the symptoms of diabetes.

It is because of such reasons and more that we don’t overlook dental care here at Rosewood. To promote and maintain good oral health in our clients, our caregivers have been trained to ensure the following:

1. That a client’s teeth have been brushed gently at least two times daily – ideally right after breakfast and before bed.
2. That flossing is practiced at least once daily or according to the instructions of the client’s health care provider or family.
3. That an antibacterial mouth rinse is used at least once daily.
4. That only the recommended dental care products are used.
5. That the client or family members have been educated on the importance of visiting the dentist regularly for a deep cleaning and oral examination.
6. That the client remains well hydrated to avoid a dry mouth.
7. For seniors with removable dentures, their dentures must be brushed daily, rinsed after every meal, and soaked at night. The mouth must be cleaned as per the care plan before wearing dentures and after removing them.
8. That the toothbrush is replaced at least once a month.

Our dental care/tooth brushing and flossing service is part of the in-home care package which includes services like meal preparation, feeding, laundry, dressing, bathing, grooming, toileting, light housekeeping, medication reminders, and more.

For seniors, the disabled, and persons who are recovering from an operation or illness, making a trip to the bathroom is usually one of the biggest challenges they encounter every single day. For some, it is because they have injuries that make it difficult or impossible to navigate to the bathroom, while others have conditions that affect their ability to recognize when there’s a need to use the bathroom. Still, there are those that simply don’t have the strength to sit and rise from the toilet seat.

Whatever the case, if you or a loved one is having difficulties using the bathroom for any reason, it is important to seek or offer help as it is easy to fall and acquire serious injuries when walking towards the bathroom or trying to sit or stand from a toilet seat.

Toileting is among the personal care services we offer here at Rosewood Home Care. We understand that the degree to which our clients need assistance varies according to their individual needs. Some may need help sitting and arising from the toilet seat while others may need complete incontinence care. Therefore, our toileting services vary from client to client based on their individual needs.

Also, we know it is easy for caregivers to hurt both the client and themselves during the process of toileting. Because of his, our caregivers have been formally trained in safe lifting and transfer techniques.

For clients who are in diapers for one reason or another, we work together with their healthcare providers to provide incontinence care, which includes changing diapers, undergarments, and bedclothes, perineal care, managing fluid intake, encouraging pelvic exercises, and more.

Lastly, because persons who need incontinence care and/or help with toileting may feel embarrassed or distressed about their helplessness, our caregivers have been trained to minimize any feelings of embarrassment by maintaining the client’s privacy, independence, and dignity as much as possible.

Our toileting/incontinence care service is part of the in-home care package which includes services like meal preparation, feeding, laundry, bathing, dressing, grooming, dental care, light housekeeping, medication reminders, and more.

Lowered mobility, disability, injuries, and other health challenges can make it difficult for seniors and others to dress up or even undress without help. In seniors, difficulty in dressing and undressing usually starts with reduced dexterity, i.e., the ability to perform tasks and activities effectively with the hands.

Reduced dexterity is usually brought about by certain health problems, including stroke, Arthritis, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s, as well as the usual aging process.

At Rosewood Home Care, we know that the way people dress and style themselves can significantly affect their self-esteem. For that reason, and in a bid to help our clients maintain a consistent grooming routine, helping our clients to dress and undress is among the services that come with our personal care package.

To minimize any feelings of anxiety or embarrassment in our clients and to promote their independence and comfortability, some of the things our caregivers have been trained on include:

1. Making sure the curtains and door are closed for privacy when helping the client to dress or undress.
2. Making sure the room is warm enough so the client doesn’t feel cold.
3. Picking/choosing clothes that are comfortable, especially at the waist and hips.
4. Making sure all clothes, including underwear, are clean before being worn.
5. Promoting independence by allowing the client to do as much as they are able to do for themselves.
6. If possible, letting a client choose a favorite outfit or color.
7. Making sure the client is dressed for the weather, especially when going outdoors.
8. Making sure the client is wearing shoes or slippers that are comfortable and non-slip.
9. Encouraging the client to dress up for special occasions, e.g., when someone is coming over.
10. Notifying the client and/or their family when new undergarments are needed and when old and ill-fitting clothes need to be replaced.

Our dressing/undressing service is part of the in-home care package which includes services like meal preparation, feeding, laundry, bathing, grooming, toileting, dental care, light housekeeping, medication reminders, and more.

The importance of wearing clean clothes, especially when it comes to undergarments, cannot be overstated. Our bodies have a tendency to harbor bacteria both on the inside and outside. As expected, bacteria rub off on the clothes we wear.

This makes it risky for us to wear clothes that are unwashed, especially for persons with lowered immunity, like seniors and people who are recovering from surgery or an illness. Wearing dirty clothes can also cause foul body odor.

The same case applies to our beddings – they harbor all kinds of microorganisms that can lead to various sicknesses and infections. The only way to kill these microorganisms is to wash them well.

Other than sweat, some of the harmful elements that hide in our clothes and beddings include:

• Traces of defecation and body fluids (especially in undergarments).
• Dust mites. These microscopic bugs may trigger some health conditions like asthma and lowered immunity.
• Pet hair. Animal hair may cause coughing and various allergies.
• Food particles. Food leaves crumbs, which in turn attracts bugs.

At Rosewood Home Care, we understand that some seniors find it quite difficult or even impossible to do their own laundry for various reasons, such as reduced dexterity and limited mobility/flexibility. This is why we provide laundry services to seniors and other persons who need the service with the aim of ensuring everyone enjoys clean clothes and beddings without having to put their bodies at risk for injury.

Some of the things our able caregivers have been trained to do include:

1. Reading the labels to avoid damaging special fabrics.
2. Sorting the laundry by color.
3. Handling soiled or contaminated clothes and beddings.
4. Drying clothes immediately whenever possible to eliminate the chance of mold occurring on wet clothes, which can cause infections and bad odor.
5. Folding and putting away laundered clothes and beddings.

Our laundry service is part of the in-home care package which includes services like meal preparation, feeding, bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, dental care, light housekeeping, medication reminders, and more.

Healthy hair, nails, skin, and teeth are all signs of a well-groomed individual who not only pays attention to their health but personal hygiene too. On the other hand, emitting a foul odor and looking unwashed and shaggy are signs of a person who’s not only dirty but is also potentially dangerous to the health of those around him/her.

Unfortunately, personal grooming is among the daily activities that can become physically challenging or even totally impossible with age or sickness. In spite of that, grooming and hygiene must be maintained at all costs, not only for social reasons and personal dignity but for health reasons too. And this is especially true for seniors, invalids, and other individuals with immunity challenges.

Luckily this is a challenge that can be conquered through a variety of ways, with in-home care being among the most favorable options for seniors and other individuals who want to maintain their independence by aging or recuperating in their homes.

At Rosewood Home Care, we believe that when our clients look good, they feel better too. Because of this, grooming is among the personal care services we offer to seniors and other individuals who may require the service for one reason or another.

Some of the grooming services available are:

• Haircare – includes washing, drying, styling, and accompanying the client to a salon or arranging a home appointment with a hairdresser.
• Shaving the client or accompanying him/her to the barbershop, or arranging a home appointment with the barber.
• Trimming toenails and fingernails at least once weekly.
• Applying nail polish for clients who need the service.
• Cleaning the ears.
• Maintaining facial hair.
• Trimming nose hair

Our grooming service is part of the in-home care package which includes services like meal preparation, feeding, bathing, dressing, laundry, toileting, dental care, light housekeeping, medication reminders, and more.

What most of us don’t realize is that good nutrition impacts our health in many ways, including organ function, brain function, muscle and bone health, strengthening immunity, and managing chronic illnesses. In short, what you eat determines the kind of life you will lead – if you neglect good nutrition, you run the risk of living an unhealthy life the same way a heavy smoker runs the risk of developing lung cancer.

As we age, preparing nutritious meals often becomes a burdensome task. This usually is a result of decreased mobility, especially when suffering from conditions like disability and arthritis.

It is important for everyone to practice good nutrition, but for seniors and invalids, it is critical as poor nutrition can leave them more susceptible to sicknesses and illnesses. According to WHO (World Health Organization, many of the sicknesses and illnesses affecting seniors today are a result of poor diet.

Our meal preparation service is meant for seniors and other individuals who are unable to access nutritious meals for one reason or another. Through our carefully trained caregivers, we prepare healthy and tasty meals for our clients to ensure healthy nutrition, and also to ease them from the burden of having to cook or rely on friends and relatives. As a result, they are able to continue aging in place and live a longer, healthier, and more fulfilling life.

Some of the tasks that come with this service include:

• Meal planning – we work together with the client, family, and their healthcare provider/nutritionist to create a meal plan that suits their individual needs.
• Grocery shopping.
• Stocking the fridge and pantry.
• Preparing meals and snacks.
• Motivating clients to take part in the process of meal preparation (for clients who are still in a position to).
• Feeding assistance – for clients who need help during meal times.
• And more.

Our meal preparation and feeding assistance service is part of the in-home care package which includes services like grooming, bathing, dressing, laundry, toileting, dental care, light housekeeping, medication reminders, and more.

Loss of mobility is common among seniors and is usually a result of the natural aging process. Health conditions, such as osteoarthritis, peripheral neuropathy, Alzheimer’s, and heart disease can also contribute to poor mobility. Injuries, too, are a leading cause of this problem, not only among seniors but persons of all ages.
Early signs of mobility issues may include the following:

• Balance issues, i.e., becoming unsteady when walking or performing daily tasks.
• Experiencing difficulties rising from a chair, toilet seat, bathtub, etc.
• Having difficulties ascending or descending the stairs.
• Frequent falls, which can lead to serious injuries and more mobility problems.
• Painful or stiff joints.

Unfortunately, poor mobility or immobilization comes with many unpleasant consequences that are not only physical but also psychological and social. To begin with, not being able to walk well or walk at all means you can’t go out with friends, go shopping, or attend community events without having to depend on friends and family. This, if not addressed in time, can lead to emotional problems like depression and anxiety.

Loss of mobility also means you can’t perform tasks that were once easy without help. Such tasks can include daily activities like bathing, dressing, toileting, cooking, cleaning, laundering, and others.

If you or an elderly loved one is experiencing mobility difficulties or is always worried about falling when help is not available, it may be time to enlist the help a caregiver who, through in-home care, can help them age in their own home without having to depend on relatives.

Mobility assistance is among the personal care services we offer here at Rosewood to promote independence among seniors and other individuals who wish to avoid institutionalization.

Some of the things our able caregivers have been trained to do to help include the following:

• Identifying and getting rid of fall hazards in the home.
• Making sure there’s good lighting in the bathrooms and hallways, especially at night.
• Encouraging the client to stay active and helping with exercises that can improve flexibility and strengthen muscles (based on the recommendations of their healthcare providers).
• Monitoring the effects of medications that may induce dizziness.
• Helping the client to maintain a healthy weight by providing a healthy diet and assisting with regular exercise (based on the recommendations of their healthcare providers).
• Making sure the client is wearing proper footwear both indoors and outdoors.
• Routine transfers, e.g., from bed to the sofa, from sitting to standing, from bed to wheelchair, from wheelchair to bathroom, etc.
• Allowing the client to be as independent as far as their physical and mental capabilities can allow.
• Non-medical transportation and accompaniment to and from medical appointments and other appointments or errands.
• And more!

Our mobility assistance service is part of the in-home care package which includes services like grooming, bathing, dressing, laundry, toileting, dental care, light housekeeping, meal preparation and feeding, medication reminders, and more.

Based on statistics from the Department of Health and Human Services, 55% of seniors in America are non-compliant with their medication instructions. This simply means they don’t take their medications on time, and when they do, they don’t follow the instructions of their healthcare providers. As a result, approximately 200,000 seniors are hospitalized every year as a result of adverse reactions. These statistics are also from the Department of Health and Human Services.
Some of the reasons behind many seniors not taking their medications as instructed include:

• Vision challenges, i.e., having difficulties finding their medications or distinguishing between medicines.
• Memory loss, especially when one is suffering from dementia. This causes them to forget taking medication or to have trouble remembering if they’ve taken them or not.
• Dysphagia, a condition that makes it difficult to swallow medications. Because of this, some seniors chew medications that are meant to be swallowed whole. This can cause serious effects.

Unknown to many, failing to take drugs as prescribed can have serious effects, especially in the case where a senior who has a chronic condition like diabetes or high blood pressure forgets to take their medications, or overdoses by forgetting they’ve already had a dose.

Our medication reminders service is strictly non-medical, meaning our caregivers can only remind our clients to take their medications and offer minimal assistance if needed. This service is also not meant for seniors alone but for any adult who may require medication reminders for any reason.

Some of the tasks and responsibilities that come with this particular service include:

• Keeping a complete inventory of medications.
• Reminding the client to take their medicines on time and at the right dosage.
• Keeping track of the effects of new medications.
• Picking up medications/refills at the drug store.
• Arranging and accompanying the client to the doctor’s office for refills or medication reviews.
• Offering very minimal assistance with medication administration, such as handing the client his/her medications and opening the container.

Our medication reminders service is part of the in-home care package which includes services like grooming, bathing, dressing, laundry, toileting, dental care, light housekeeping, meal preparation and feeding, medication reminders, and more.