Tips For Making Quality Of Life A Top Priority For Our Clients
At Pegasus Home Health Care, we value the well-being of our professionals and clients. To that end, we welcome diversity, promote equity, and seek to improve inclusivity. It’s all part of our philosophy of making a positive difference in the lives of others.
Pegasus skilled in-home caregivers in Ventura and elsewhere are dedicated to helping individuals live safely and independently in their homes. Remaining in familiar surroundings has proven physical and mental health benefits. Career home health care nurses understand the importance of making quality of life a top priority for our clients.
Quality Of Life Includes More Than Physical Health
Quality of life is a subjective term. It is, however, generally considered to be more than the absence of disease. It can encompass such factors as:
- Financial stability
- Happiness
- Independence and autonomy
- Psychological health
- Relationships with family and friends
- Safety
- Spirituality
An individual’s perception of their circumstances influences whether they have a positive quality of life. It involves what matters most and their comfort level with their current situation.
Quality Of Life Varies Among Individuals
Individuals often define quality of life differently as they age. Their health and its effects on their abilities become the principal criteria of their perception of well-being. When assessing your patient’s quality of life, consider how they feel about their:
- Dependence on others
- Disabilities and chronic illnesses
- Impaired cognition
- Inability to perform the activities of daily living
- Life expectancy
It’s essential that you talk to your patients about what is important to them. Quality of life may have an entirely different meaning to them than it has to you or others.
Quality of life is not a static condition. It’s ever-changing. That’s due to the interconnections and interactions between factors like the ones listed above.
So at one time, your patient may say, “life is good,” because a friend visited. On another day, they might say that “life sucks” because they didn’t sleep well. It’s all about their perception of what makes them happy and comfortable.
Communication Is A Vital Part Of Quality Of Life
Some research shows that the single most important factor in a positive quality of life is the ability to communicate. That makes listening to your patients an essential part of your in-home care. You may be the only person with whom they can share their feelings.
And listening carefully helps you gain a crucial understanding of what’s important to them. That enables you to provide the best care for their overall well-being. You may need to teach family caregivers good communication skills.
As a home health nurse, you are familiar with your patient’s physical problems. Ensuring that they receive good health care is an essential part of improving their quality of life. Encourage them to schedule regular appointments with the relevant medical professionals.
Help them stay in compliance with any medical instructions. Also, evaluate whether they are taking their medications as prescribed. If they are on restricted or special diets, the dietician on your team can provide needed assistance.
Your patients may put on a “good front” for their families. Your training can help you recognize the signs of depression. You can help them obtain professional counseling if needed.
Tips For Improving Quality Of Life
Family caregivers may need assistance in finding ways to improve the quality of life for their loved one. Consider suggesting that they:
- Engage their loved one in mental activity. That can be as simple as solving a puzzle, or more challenging tasks such as balancing their bank account.
- Find ways to make their loved one feel useful and needed. Appropriate activities should be based on ability, but a challenge can be good.
- Improve their social life. If their loved one can’t go out, arrange for visitors and gatherings at home. Make them part of family celebrations and holidays. If their loved one is able, help them serve as volunteers.
- Include physical activity as part of each day. The physical and occupational therapists on your team can custom-design exercises if necessary.
There is always something that can be added to make life better. It’s frequently minor changes or small gestures that increase a person’s happiness and joy in life.
Even the tiniest improvement helps create a more positive outlook. Positivity helps individuals feel more energetic and experience less stress. Seniors who regard life as positive often reduce their risk of cognitive impairment.
Aging often means that individuals have to adapt. Studies have shown that individuals with a high degree of resilience will have a greater quality of life. Teach your patients and family caregivers these tips for improving their resilience.
Joining Our Team Can Increase Your Quality Of Life
Pegasus skilled in-home caregivers in Ventura and our other locations help their clients improve their quality of life. They know that good communication is essential. Our career home health nurses teach family caregivers how to increase their loved one’s happiness.
Pegasus is a licensed Home Care Organization and a Joint Commission Accredited Home Health Care organization. We’re hiring dedicated professionals from all walks of life. We’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer.
