When a family member loses the ability to care for themselves, it can also change the lives of their loved ones dramatically. Many people wish to care for their elderly loved ones themselves, but work and other family commitments often mean there is not a lot of time left to give them the type of day-to-day care their elderly parents need.
Why Hire 24-Hour Home Care
As a person becomes too old to take care of themselves, many families think that a nursing home is their only option. However, another approach that enables people to continue living at home is hiring in-home caregivers to provide the specific services that the person can no longer handle. This allows them to age in the place where they are most comfortable.
In-home care assistance is a great way to ensure a loved one is being cared for as family caregivers handle their own matters, such as work, relationships, childcare and self-care. It is also useful when an elderly person is recovering from an operation, injury or illness and need extra attention around the clock.
In addition, when care is received in the home, it reduces the chances of an elderly person being exposed to the types of contagious infections they might encounter in a nursing home. It is also easier and more convenient for family members and friends to visit.
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Signs It Is Time For 24-Hour Home Care
Keep Your Independence
One big reason many people turn to 24-hour care is that it means their elderly loved one does not have to lose their sense of independence. Many people hesitate to move into a nursing home, especially if there are only certain things they are unable to do at home alone. At-home caregivers enable people to receive the help they need in the comfort of their own homes while maintaining as much independence as possible.
Help Around The House
24-hour home care is a great way to get assistance with some of those simple tasks that become more difficult with age, whether it is cleaning up, cooking, doing laundry or running errands. A home caregiver can help with light housekeeping and maintenance to take some of the burden off of people as they get older.
Individual Attention
Another benefit that 24-hour care has over a nursing home is the opportunity for the personal, one-on-one attention that it provides. In nursing homes, employees are often too busy to get to know each individual on a personal level. With a home care provider, in contrast, a senior citizen can get the personal attention they deserve, truly forming a bond with someone and ensuring their wants and needs are being addressed.
Social isolation can be so damaging to older people’s health and its effects have been likened to smoking. For people who are living with a disability or chronic illness, the companionship that home care can provide can go a long way toward keeping them mentally healthy and in a positive state of mind. For many people, home care is like getting help from a familiar friend. Caregivers will often be matched with seniors based on their personality and other factors.
Home caregivers can also help with personal care tasks, such as bathing, shaving, getting dressed and washing hair. As people age, it can be difficult to bathe themselves properly, and home caregivers are trained in helping with this sensitive task in a dignified way. When it comes to dressing, they can advise on the proper clothes for the weather conditions and provide the degree of assistance needed, whether they need help with the whole process or just buttoning buttons and tying shoes.
Many times, home caregivers can encourage people to take care of themselves and practice proper hygiene regardless of whether they are leaving the home or expecting visitors. Proper hygiene is essential for avoiding bacteria that can cause illness, so cleaning should not be overlooked.
Personalized Meals
Many older people find that nursing home meals leave a lot to be desired. People living in these settings must usually eat on a schedule with set meals each day. With in-home care meals can be prepared and served at times that suit the individuals. Care workers can also prepare meals in advance for later reheating for those who are more independent, or they cook and serve meals each day. They can ensure that elderly people are getting all the nutrients they need to stay healthy and help with eating, if necessary.
In-home caregivers can do as much or as little as a person needs. For example, an elderly person might still be able to cook and enjoy the process, but perhaps they need an extra set of eyes to ensure they do not leave the stove unattended or injure themselves while chopping.
Assist In Driving
Many older people struggle with driving, whether they have lost some of their motor function or vision or the physical aspects of driving cause them pain. In-home caregivers can transport seniors to the grocery store, doctors’ appointments and other types of errands to help people accomplish everything on their to-do list well into their golden years. They can also bring elderly people on social outings or to walk in the park and get some fresh air.
Talk With The 24-Hour Home Care Experts
Home care services offer tremendous benefits to older people who need more assistance than family members can provide, whether it is because of work, family responsibilities or simply the need for some time away from their care responsibilities to recharge. Many people turn to home care to avoid missing children’s activities, family time and career opportunities.
If you would like to find out more about how 24-hour care can help your elderly loved one, get in touch with the home care experts at Comfort Home Care. This family-owned business is devoted to helping people age in safety, comfort and happiness. Comfort Home Care can provide caregivers with specific expertise in areas such as Alzheimer’s, injury recovery, Parkinson’s, fall prevention and end-of-life care.
