Senior care has evolved over the years, in the past, there weren’t many options for seniors except to live at home. Nowadays, seniors have many options when it comes to their care, they can choose to live in nursing homes or communities, or have home care. Here at Coastal Home Care, our certified nursing assistants are trained and experienced in providing personalized senior home care in Wicomico County, Maryland, to individuals. We understand the value home care offers to our clients and the security it brings to their families.
At Coastal Home Care, we treat each client with the utmost respect and protect their privacy and dignity. All care plans start with a personal assessment performed by a Coastal Home Care Registered Nurse. Below is the history of senior care:
The Beginning
In the first century of our country’s history, there were no such things as home care services, nursing homes or assisted living. Life expectancy was around 37 years old and society was mostly rural. Historically, care for the elderly was managed primarily by families. In the United States, the industrial revolution created circumstances that caused a shift in the traditional care model.
The increasingly urban society caused many families to have all members of the family, including children working six days a week for 12 hours a day. This left families unable to care for seniors, which made them turn to facilities for the mentally ill or almshouses for care. Almshouses were grim, packed, poorly maintained, and plagued with disease and crime.
Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid
Established in 1935, the Social Security program sought to eliminate almshouses and give seniors the financial means to live independently. The program succeeded in its goal, and by the 1950s, almshouses were all but extinct. In 1965, the passage of Medicare and Medicaid offered readily available healthcare to seniors. Throughout the 70s and 80s, regulations passed to create care standards for nursing homes.
As life expectancy increased, due to modern medicine, the number of senior care facilities grew as well. In the late 1980s, nursing communities started to become more specialized, offering new services such as physical therapy, rehabilitation programs, occupational therapy, speech and hearing therapy. These were designed to improve all aspects of seniors community lifestyle.
Current Senior Care
Senior living communities are becoming more dynamic to better cater to the needs of each individual. Senior communities must provide more than healthcare to convince seniors to make the move. Amenities like on-site entertainment, dining options, social enrichment, and physical fitness are becoming more common. Individuals now have greater control of their care and the ability to dictate their own lifestyle.
Many seniors today are turning away from traditional nursing homes and instead look for home care and community living arrangements that also provide in-house care. One of the advantages seniors have today is access to technologies that allow them to stay in their homes longer. Technologies, such as virtual assistants allow them to contact people, provide entertainment, and hook up their entire home including lighting and thermostats.
Dependable Senior Home Care in Wicomico County, Maryland
Senior home care has come a long way since the almshouses of the late 1800s. A great senior living community can make all the difference between simply living and living well. It is important to be aware of every possibility surrounding that choice, including the realities of home care service. Coastal Home Care offers dependable senior home care to Wicomico County, Maryland, and surrounding areas. We are proud to offer trained nurses who are dedicated to giving care and support to our clients.
For additional information about our services, please contact us at (866) 687-7307.