Defining Level One & Level Two care
I tell my classes at College of Dupage that every field of study has its own vocabulary. This is true of gerontology; the study of the social, psychological, and biological aspects of aging. This is also true of geriatrics, the branch of medicine that studies diseases of the elderly.
Golden Elders turns an ear to all information regarding elder care. Since my specialty in counseling was not gerontology or issues of the aging, I too had to learn a new vocabulary. For me, two phrases that needed definitions were Level One and Level Two care.
For those of you looking for care for a loved one, I’ve researched what these two terms mean. In order for me to explain what Level One and Level Two care entails at Golden Elders, I decided to find out what these terms mean to other senior care providers.
For most caregivers, Level One care includes a more companionship, supervisory role. The loved one is able to perform activities of daily living, or what the industry refers to as ADLs. ADLs are defined as “the things we normally do in daily living, including any daily activity we perform for self-care (feeding ourselves, bathing, dressing, grooming) work, homemaking, and leisure” (Wikipedia). Examples of basic ADLs include:
-Personal hygiene
-Dressing and undressing
-Eating
-Transferring from bed to chair, and back
-Voluntarily controlling urinary and fecal discharge
-Elimination
-Moving around, as opposed to being bedridden
Level Two care means that our guests require minimal help with the above skills.
Gerontology is a study that has become an ongoing pursuit for me, and I have found help along the way. Let me introduce the ladies who help me:
Nancy Olenski is a great caregiver and my right arm. She comes from a background of helping “disabled” children, and she brings her warmth and good heart to us every day.
Leigh Ann May is my wonderful volunteer. Leigh Ann approached me several months ago and asked if she could help out. You will never guess what Leigh Ann’s master’s degree is in? Would you believe “gerontology?”
Nancy, Leigh Ann, and I go that extra “mile” with our guests…embarrassing accidents happen. We will help your loved one with these basic life tasks.
Until next time…take care -