When it comes to senior housing in Fayetteville, NC, the importance of a physician cannot be understated. Having a doctor can help in many ways and often ensures that residents in retirement communities have a safe and comfortable stay on campus. Here are some of the benefits of having a physician at hand in a retirement community.
Medical Examinations
The attending physician in a retirement community may undertake medical examinations before a resident joins a community and when the need arises after that. This is important as it helps catch any underlying medical problems your loved one may have. This, in turn, will help you and the retirement community understand the needed level of care. This helps to preempt any surprises that may occur down the road and ensures that your loved one is getting the right level of care.
Approving Plan Of Care
The attending physician in a retirement community must also sign off on any plan of care developed to help the resident improve their health. For example, the care plan involves various physical activities, especially if your loved one suffers from any limb or joint issues. The attending physician needs to sign off on the care plan because if it is not done properly, such activities can end up causing more harm than good. The doctor will evaluate the resident’s medical condition and either modify some of the elements in the plan of care to sign off on them.
Prescribing Medicine
The attending physician can also help residents by prescribing medicine to the residents as needed. if the resident has another doctor who attends to them, this process is often done in liaison with the doctor to ensure that they get the right medicine and dosage. Having an attending physician on site also helps, as the attending doctor can update the resident’s physician on the medical progress of their ward. This way, your loved one gets the highest level of care.
Attending To Emergencies
The physician at a retirement community plays a critical role in responding to any medical issues that may arise. By responding quickly in such situations, physicians can give the emergency care needed before the resident can be referred to a hospital for more specialized care. Having a physician on call is also great for the residents’ peace of mind. Knowing there is a medical specialist at hand allows the residents to relax and participate in activities and events.
Recommending Diets
Another important role physicians play in a retirement community is to help residents get maximum nutritional value by recommending diets based on existing medical problems. For example, residents living with Type 2 Diabetes require a very carefully tailored diet to help them manage their blood sugar levels. The attending physician at a retirement community can work with the community management staff to ensure that each resident gets the right type of food for maximum health benefits.
