Our veterans are valuable members of society whose contribution to American life is based in commitment, devotion, and self-sacrifice. Our veterans made a living of putting their lives on the line to preserve our way of living, and it is our responsibility as caring citizens to ensure that veterans are well looked after. As our beloved veterans begin to age, in-home care services are a great option to provide support and care while maintaining a commitment to independence.
Beginning In-Home Care
Starting the process of in-home care for veterans involves careful preparation and organization. The decision itself can be a daunting one, especially if your aging relative is uncertain about the process or remains unwaveringly committed to their own self-reliance. Reassurance with regards to the preservation of their health and independence will help the situation, allowing your loved one to feel more at ease. Be sure not to force in-home care services on your elderly veteran, instead fielding a positive dialogue and making sure they feel like the decision is a collective one.
In-Home Care Services
In-home care services include support for the Activities of Daily Living, among other important life functions. Also known as ADLs, the Activities of Daily Living are the basic tasks we all complete on a daily basis. As we get older, we may require help completing such tasks. This includes eating, getting dressed, and bathing. Professional caregivers who provide in-home care are trained extensively in a number of areas including CPR protocols, specialized care methodologies, and social, mental and emotional stimulation.
Going Above and Beyond
Quality of life is an essential factor to consider when choosing care for your veteran. Professional aides in companies who go above and beyond will not only assist with ADLs, they will also help with medication dosage and reminders, prepare meals, assist with cleaning and laundry, and provide an exercise regimen for your loved one that is customized to them.
Additionally, care services that go above and beyond will include extra services that you’ll really appreciate, including transportation assistance—doctor’s appointments, trips to the grocery store, and picking up prescriptions at the pharmacy can all be taken care of so you don’t have to worry about them. It really is the little things that make all the difference when it comes to our loved ones.
Customized Care Plans
When considering professional care for your loved one, it’s crucial to consider their specific limitations and needs, both physically and mentally. Choose a care provider that allows you to fully customize your care plan to maximize the benefits of care to your relative. Customized care plans ensure that your relative has the best quality of life available to them, catering to their needs with the timing and scope of assistance that integrates best with their lifestyle. In addition, in-home care providers with registered nurses on staff give you the option of occasional in-home visits from a nurse to monitor your loved one’s health. These occasional visits will ensure that the custom-tailored care plan is addressing all of your veteran’s needs and that they are happy, secure, and most importantly, healthy.
Five Ways In-Home Care Can Improve Quality of Life for Veterans
As we get older, we start to need help with our everyday tasks to keep up with the pace of life’s demands. Aging at home, rather than at a facility, is a top priority for many seniors. As a result, when managing the household and minutiae of everyday life starts becoming increasingly difficult, in-home care can become a desirable solution. Here are five ways in-home care can improve quality of life for veterans:
Care for Long-Term Injuries
If your relative served in the military, there is a chance that they may have sustained a long-term injury while carrying out their duty for their country. An in-home provider can help care for someone with a long-term injury by checking in on them regularly, providing rehabilitation support, and organizing their medication to help manage their pain and maintain mobility. Having someone there when you’re injured can help you to remain calm and enjoy life.
Activities of Daily Living
When you opt for in-home care services, the professional help you receive is customized to your needs or to those of your aging veteran. For example, some veterans may not eat as much as they should, even if they’re perfectly capable of doing so. Having a professional caregiver call in to monitor their meals and help alleviate some of the burden of eating by making a sandwich or a bowl of soup will greatly benefit your loved one. As family members of an aging veteran, you try to do as much as possible for them but there are simply times when you may not be available because of the demands of your own family or career. A professional caregiver, on the other hand, can form a strong bond with your relative and assist them with the activities of daily living according to their personal needs as often as is necessary.
Independence
Choosing in-home care instead of an assisted living facility or a nursing home allows one to remain independent throughout the aging process, an important aspect for many aging veterans. Not only this, but many veterans speak with a feeling of dignity and pride when discussing how important their own home is to them. When you go to an assisted living facility or a nursing home, it’s a constant reminder that your physical and mental health isn’t at its best. However, in-home care enables you to live a dignified life and retain as much normality in your circumstances as possible.
Companionship
In-home care allows family members to feel confident that their loved one is receiving daily companionship. This is extremely important for an aging veteran to fight the feelings of loneliness and depression that are all too common in seniors. In-home care services take your situation very seriously, including emotional and mental health in addition to your physical constitution. In-home care providers can select a caregiver who best fits the needs and personality of your aging veteran for their care to encourage stability and the development of a genuine personal relationship.
Peace of Mind
Ultimately, one of the most important functions of in-home care, especially for veterans, is providing peace of mind to them and their family. If you are a family member of a veteran who is in need of assistance on an increasingly frequent basis, the services available to help are extensive. There are so many benefits of caring for a loved one at home. It’s important that we take care of those who gladly gave their service to our country to thank them for their sacrifices and devotion.
