In-Home Care For Adults With Disabilities

Receiving a diagnosis of a serious disease or disorder can be frightening, especially if it will likely lead to the need for assistance in many everyday tasks. Who will be there to help? Will I be able to make it on my own? These are questions you will undoubtedly struggle with, whether the diagnosis is yours or that of a loved one. One of the most effective answers to virtually all things care related is non-medical in-home care services.

In-home care can assist with virtually every aspect of a disabled person’s life that does not directly require medical treatment. The number and type of services needed can vary greatly, depending heavily on the type of condition that serves as the root of the disability, and how much existing support the patient already has.

In-Home Care for Adults With Disabilities

As you are researching when to choose in-home care, here are some of the most common services needed and performed through non-medical in-home care for someone with disabilities:

Ambulation and Mobility

Many disabilities result in a reduced capacity to move about normally, or cease being able to altogether. Simple things, such as getting out of bed, walking to different parts of the house or using the bathroom can become impossible to do on your own, which is where a non medical in-home care worker can step in and help. A personal care assistant can help reduce the risk of falls and other health and injury considerations as well.  Not only is this important as far as actually accomplishing the activity in question, the degree of respect and empathy it is performed with can help boost a patient’s self esteem in a much-needed way.

Exercise is also a concern with many types of disabilities, with reduced mobility issues making it difficult to find the motivation and energy to do anything physically strenuous. A non-medical in-home care professional can help develop a realistic stretching and light workout routine that can provide needed exercise and activity, without causing undue stress or physical trauma.

Toileting, Grooming, and Personal Hygiene Activities

Just making it to the restroom may not be enough for all disabled persons, some may need assistance with actually performing daily toileting duties. One of the most effective means of bolstering someone’s self confidence is if they look good, which is a task that may be difficult for them to do on their own. An in-home care professional can assist with everyday tasks like brushing teeth hair, bathing and combing hair and other grooming activities based on an individual’s preferences. All of these hold great importance for both sanitation and self-regard.

Memory Assistance

Many disabilities such as those related to Alzheimer’s disease or other cognitive challenges can create problems when it comes to remembering things. Keeping track of keys, remembering if the oven was turned off, these are everyday instances that can become most difficult for a cognitively disabled person to keep track of. Not only is an in-home care professional efficient at reminding them of these essential things, they can help come up with ways to make it easier for the individual to operate on their own, such as lists or automated reminders.

As one of the most frequent reasons for commitment in an assisted living facility, forgetting to take medication is to be avoided at all costs. With many disabilities one missed dose can have dramatic repercussions. Helping to remember to take each medication time on time is something an in-home care professional is especially adept at.

Transportation

As with traveling around the home, actually getting to places outside can be extremely difficult for many people with disabilities. Public transportation options may be unsuitable for many types of disabilities, with reasons ranging from inability to get to the bus, to forgetting which stop to get off. In-home care professionals can help with this in a variety of ways including physically driving to the destination or helping to navigate oftentimes confusing bus schedules or timetables if more independence is desired. Either activity serves to reduce the stress a disabled person inevitably has, as well as providing a kind companion to pass the time along the way.

Housekeeping and Property Upkeep

A clean house is another way to promote health and peace of mind, especially in situations where slip and fall can be a factor. Personal injury exists alongside missed medications as one of the top reasons for commitment to a nursing home, so making sure that everything is kept neat, tidy and out of the way is something a non medical in-home care worker takes very seriously. Taking care of the outside of the residence is also important. This is a service the in-home care professional can perform themselves, or can make arrangements with an outside contractor.

Overnight and Live-In Care

Some disabilities may require round-the-clock care attention, something that can be especially difficult if the individual lives alone. Special attention that is needed right before bed and early in the morning can be best served by an in-home care professional that stays over during the night. This usually includes the in-home care professional staying in a room set aside for them that close to the patient’s room, then returning home after services are performed in the morning.

Other, more serious disabilities, may require the caregiver to actually live on site, similar to a nanny. This kind of care is most common when the disability renders the person completely unable to take care of themselves in instances such as a stroke or serious dementia. The in-home care professional is available at all hours of the day or night and can make arrangements for virtually any emergency that may arise.

Contact Comfort Home Care For More Information!

While living with a disability is undoubtedly a life-changing experience, it does not have to be an impediment to living a normal life altogether. By incorporating a non-medical in-home care professional into the mix, activities of life can go on with less interruption and reduced challenges. Please give us a call or send us a message online if you would like to better understand our in-home care services offered in Howard County, Montgomery County, MD, and Washington DC. We are ready to provide the dependable care your loved one deserves to live life to the fullest.