When it comes to the health and wellbeing of your loved one, it is only natural to want the best care possible. However, not all families want to move their elderly or disabled loved ones to a care facility. If your loved one wishes to remain in his or her home, an in-home care agency can make it possible. Home care providers offer a wide range of services that ensure loved ones receive the care and attention they need within the comfort of their own homes. Learn more about hiring an in-home care agency and how they can provide essential activities of daily living (ADLs).
Activities of Daily Living and Why They Are Important
The activities of daily living, or ADLs, are a series of basic activities that are commonly performed by individuals on a day-to-day basis. These activities are often essential for independent living in a facility or at home. While the exact activities that ADLs entail can vary, most agencies separate these activities into five main categories. The first is personal hygiene. An in-home care agency can provide help with personal hygiene tasks such as bathing and showing, nail care, grooming, and oral care.
The next category is dressing. Getting dressed may seem like a simple task for the average person, but for seniors it can be a time-consuming and painful process. This is often due to balance and mobility problems that make it hard to dress and undress. In-home care providers can provide seniors with help to make appropriate clothing decisions. They can also help your loved one dress in the morning and change into pajamas in the evening. For important events like parties, doctors’ appointments, and similar occasions, they can also help choose outfits that fit the event.
The next ADL is eating. While many seniors still have the ability to feed themselves, many are not able to shop and prepare meals on their own. An in-home care provider can help with these tasks to ensure that your loved one receives the nutrition he or she needs to thrive. Maintaining continence is also an important ADL. Having the capacity to use the restroom, including getting on and off the toilet, can be made easier with help. Mobility is the final ADL category. Mobility may include walking independently from one location to another, transitioning from a seated to a standing position and vise-versa, and getting in and out of bed. If your loved one has mobility issues, an in-home care agency can help.
Roles and Responsibilities of an In-Home Care Agency
Studies have shown that approximately 90 percent of seniors say they want to remain in their homes as long as possible. As the home is a comfortable and familiar place, many family members also wish this for their loved ones. Unfortunately, many seniors find that they are no longer able to care for themselves in their older years and require more and more assistance with common daily tasks. When this happens, hiring an in-home care agency is often the best solution to avoid burnout among family members.
When you work alongside an in-home care agency, you will find that your loved one’s care team can provide many of the same services available in nursing facilities. In-home care providers are able to take over your loved one’s care full-time or temporarily as you enjoy a rest or respite. Many seniors find that receiving in-home care provides many benefits over moving to a nursing home or assisted living facility, such as lower medical bills, great convenience, and a better quality of life.
Depending on the level of care needed by your loved one, an in-home care agency may be able to provide you with a variety of medical and non-medical services. To ensure that your loved one remains healthy, providers will monitor your loved one’s blood pressure and heart rate. They may also care for incisions or other wounds following surgery or an injury. In addition, in-home care providers can also help manage catheters and IVs, as well as provide cognitive and physical therapy. To ensure that your loved one continues to get the care he or she needs, providers can also educate patients and caregivers about proper at-home care.
Many times, seniors are not able to perform basic tasks on their own, such as personal hygiene, cleaning, and preparing meals. An in-home care agency can provide adequate staff to ensure that these essentials are completed. In-home care providers can help your loved one shop for food, prepare meals, and clean up dishes. They can also clean other areas of the home and help with chores such as laundry and vacuuming. If transportation is needed, in-home care providers can also provide rides to and from the store, appointments, and other destinations.
In addition to direct care responsibilities, an in-home care agency can provide your loved one with companionship. Living on your own can get very lonely and family members may not be able to visit frequently. Over time, loneliness can lead to other conditions such as depression and poor nutrition. A professional care provider will not only talk to your loved one but can engage in activities designed for a more enriched life. From going for daily walks and attending church to playing word games or painting, socialization and companionship can make a world of difference for seniors.
Contact an In-Home Care Agency for More Information
Making major life decisions for an aging loved one is never easy. Many family members may find it difficult to decide between putting their loved one in a nursing facility or allowing them to remain at home with the help of an in-home care agency. For seniors who value their privacy and independence, staying at home is often the best choice. With an in-home care agency there to provide services day and night, family members can achieve peace of mind. For more information about in-home care, contact your local in-home care agency.
