Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/736806
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 9 OCTOBER 2016 Elderly Care VII Choosing the right care SHOULD we be lucky enough to live a long life, perhaps to 80 years of age or beyond, the chances are fairly high that we might need some assistance with activities of daily living. Thankfully we live on a small island so for most help is only a few minutes away. Initially care most of- ten than not comes from our relatives be it one of our children or perhaps a younger brother or sister. However, life has become increasingly fast paced, so finding relatives with noth- ing to do is increasingly becoming nigh impossible. The first and perhaps hardest step would be to accept and realize that one needs assistance before it becomes an emergency that would mean being shipped off to the near- est home or having a relative choos- ing care on your behalf, which would inevitably mean being stuck with the cheapest foreign care worker avail- able. Having your say in who cares for you is a right, and essential to maintaining an independent lifestyle. Once you have come to terms with needing some form of assistance the next step would be to identify the right person to accompany you at this stage of life. The very first consideration would be to maintain the safety of your home by ensuring that the care worker entering your home is trustworthy. Traceability is important so you would want to know where they live and who their rela- tives are by asking for copies of their ID and some references, a copy of their criminal record should also be obtained. Companionship is also vital since spending long ours with someone should be a pleasant and harmonious experience. One should make sure things like language and age are not a barrier, chatting and reminiscing become some of the nicer aspects of ageing. Proximity should also be one of the points to be considered, espe- cially since anyone would be better off with the person who is to become responsible for your care to be close enough to be around in times when you might need some extra assis- tance. Lastly and with a bit of luck, likeness which is often overlooked should be considered. What things do I have in common with this new person in my life? Could we cook together? Will I like her food? Can we play cards or go for a coffee? Finding the right match when searching for the right care at home is so important to continue living independently and happily. The goal of Seniors Helping Sen- iors® In-home Services is to match active seniors who can provide a service in our community to other seniors who would benefit from re- ceiving those services. The character of the seniors both providing and receiving services is key to ensuring the safety and security of all. We do our best to match personalities and activity levels and to encourage a strong friendship that is developed as seniors complete various activities throughout the day… together. Like getting a little help from your friends® Simon Fiorini Lowell, Seniors Helping Seniors, 9947 3334 care@ fiorinilowell.com