Family involvement in care can make a huge difference in healthcare outcomes. Working together with caregivers and loved ones to improve health outcomes, emotional well-being, and the overall quality of life is one way that family involvement makes senior care stronger.
According to a study by Berkman and Syme, people with weak family ties have a measurably higher mortality rate compared to those with strong family relationships.
One of the first large epidemiological studies showed that people with weak social and family ties had significantly higher mortality over nine years.
The importance of family in senior care can't be understated. That's why senior living communities here in Tampa, FL make family involvement in care a top priority.
According to Steven E. Barkan, the primary purpose of having a family is to provide a strong foundation of support throughout life. The family offers emotional, physical, and social support.
Families are uniquely positioned to provide such support because they are most familiar with each other's stories. In senior support, collaboration between family and caregivers is crucial because the family can often offer context that professional caregivers lack.
Towards the end of life, the importance of family transforms. Elder adults are no longer the caregivers; instead, the roles reverse, and children and grandchildren become the carers. This type of care isn't just about solving practical problems; it's also about creating connection and emotional support for seniors.
While caregivers in senior living communities do all they can to improve quality of life, the importance of family can't be understated. Every family has a unique identity and dynamic that an outsider could never fully understand. The best senior care plans involve caregiver collaboration with loved ones, as family members always have valuable insights.
The research about the importance of family is clear. According to Fingerman et al, it consistently demonstrates that family involvement in care leads to better health outcomes. For example, senior-family relationships mean fewer emergency room visits and faster health recoveries.
Multigenerational caregiving makes seniors more resilient. It helps them plan for the future better and improves family communication.
Caregiving within families is often subtle, according to the study. Young adult caregivers often play a critical role, but that role is under-recognized even by the young adults themselves. Many of these young adults don't self-identify as caregivers, yet they provide regular care that has a positive impact on seniors.
Family members are invaluable in providing insights that no one else could. Because of the deep, long-standing emotional connections, family members often notice small behavioral or physical changes long before professional caregivers.
This allows earlier interventions. A close connection with family also provides strong motivation to stick to medication or care routines.
There are clear benefits to improving health when you have a strong connection to your family. For instance, a senior with mobility issues might be motivated to work on improving their physical condition because they want to attend their granddaughter's wedding. Without that family connection, they might lack the motivation to get active.
Connected caregiving is most effective when there's close collaboration between professionals and family. Formal documents such as senior care plans can solidify this connection. Family involvement in care can be incredibly effective and rewarding, provided this collaboration system is in place.
When families stay involved, care becomes more stable, more personal, and more effective. Family matters in how we age.
When care includes family, it becomes more than a task. It becomes a source of meaning and strength for everyone involved.
As this article has stated, when families stay engaged in care, seniors benefit from stronger emotional and practical support.
Effective family support depends on reliable communication and clear responsibility.
Reliable communication and shared responsibility create a strong foundation for effective care.
Reliable communication and shared responsibility create a strong foundation for effective care. Despite best intentions, families often face obstacles that make connected caregiving difficult.
Clear communication and cooperation help families manage these barriers. When everyone works together, care outcomes are better for everyone.
Studies have repeatedly demonstrated the importance of family as a foundation of well-being in senior care. Because of the deep personal history shared between family members, the support of loved ones helps to link personal history with professional observations, resulting in quicker interventions and better healthcare outcomes.
Not only do these caring relationships result in better healthcare outcomes, but they also provide strong motivation for seniors to keep up with their wellness goals.
Here at Discovery Village at Tampa Palms, collaboration with family members is just one part of our holistic wellness approach. Residents can also enjoy delicious chef-prepared meals from our Sensations Dining Program, which provides optimal nutrition for seniors without compromising on taste and flavor.
Are you interested in seeing how our comprehensive care approach helps seniors achieve the best healthcare outcomes and live a relaxed and fulfilling lifestyle?
Contact us today to set up a tour of our community, where you can see our supportive systems in action.