Biopsychosocial Model of Activating Care for Elderly and Senile Individuals at Home

Due to the introduction of new medical technologies, there is an increase in the number of people, including those of elderly and senile age, who have extended their lives but need constant care at home from medical and social services. Research on age differences in biological needs with home care found for middle-aged people, when compared with elderly and senile-aged individuals, that the greatest difficulties and the greatest contribution to a reduction of the quality of life were made by insufficient nutrition, limited independence in the performance of household manipulations due to joint damage, pain, and other biological causes, as well as hypothermia syndrome. People of older age groups were characterized by the need to bridge the lack of communication, to enhance the role of the family in the implementation of care, and to increase confidence in caregivers and the availability of medicines and religious services. The original model of biopsychosocial, activating, home care for the geriatric contingent of patients differs from traditional approaches in the use of activating kinesiotherapy and cognitive exercises. Developed on the basis of identified age-based determinants of the quality of life, it contributes to the achievement of a higher level of functionality and independence of the geriatric patient, which is accompanied by an improved quality of life.