While some seniors are fine with transitioning to a nursing home or care facility when they are no longer able to fully care for themselves, others prefer to remain in the comfort and familiarity of their home. In-home care services allow elders to maintain a sense of independence while having the ability to receive daily assistance from qualified caregivers. In-home care has quickly become one of the most preferred options by aging adults who want the convenience of professional care without leaving their homes. Here are just a few benefits of in-home care services to consider when making your decision.
1. Support for ADLs
It is normal for your aging loved one to need help in the home. From bathing and dressing to meal prep and cleanup, these tasks can become difficult for seniors, especially when mobility becomes an issue. In-home care services often cover activities of daily living (ADLs), such as bathing, eating, toileting, transferring, and continence. In-home care services may also include instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), such as companionship, household management, financial management, medication management, shopping, transportation, and other services designed to help a person live independently and thrive.
2. One-on-One Attention
One of the biggest advantages of choosing in-home care services over alternatives like nursing homes and other care facilities is the one-on-one care the person receives. When you opt for in-home care, your loved one will receive personalized care and attention from a qualified caregiver. This staff person provides individual care to your loved one, which is not possible in nursing homes where just a few staff members are left to care for numerous residents. Having this one-on-one attention can be highly beneficial to a senior’s health and happiness.
3. Quality Training and Resources
What makes in-home care health aides truly unique is the amount of training and resources that they bring to the table. Before being matched to a senior, these caregivers are put through intense training to ensure that they know how to handle all types of situations that could occur in a household. Examples of training topics include fall prevention, infection control, emergency preparation, and proper implementation of ADLs. If a person receiving in-home care services needs more advanced care, physical and occupational therapists can be brought into the home for scheduled visits. Seniors can also schedule visits with skilled nursing staff.
4. Better Diet and Nutrition
When seniors live alone and do not receive outside care, their nutrition can suffer. Many aging adults do not want to make meals for just one person and instead rely on convenience foods for the bulk of their nutrition. This can result in excess weight loss or weight gain, as well as a wide range of health problems. Seniors suffering from various illnesses or injuries can also sustain a loss of lean body mass. An in-home care provider will ensure that your loved one is maintaining a healthy diet that contains all the essential nutrients the person needs to stay healthy.
5. Light Household Chores
Cleaning can become difficult for seniors as they grow older. Mobility issues, chronic pain, and other issues can make it nearly impossible to keep up a household. While an in-home care provider cannot provide maid service, they can assist with light household chores. You can rely on these home health aides to help with the daily demands of housework, such as vacuuming, laundry, dishes, and other basic chores. These tasks not only help your loved one maintain a clean and hygienic living environment, but they can also reduce the likelihood of injuries caused by clutter.
6. Faster Recovery
Several studies have shown patients who remain in the comfort of their own home instead of a hospital or nursing home recover faster. These individuals also have a lower risk of developing infection due to exposure to germs which is more common in medical facilities. According to the CDC, approximately 1.7 million hospital-associated infections in some way contribute to patient deaths each year. Although the home may not be a sterile environment, there is typically fewer bacteria and a lower risk of infections being passed from one patient to the next.
7. Family Participation
In-home care services allow family members and friends to take on greater roles in a person’s care. Getting involved in patient care can be tricky when the person is living in a hospital, nursing home, or another type of direct care facility. However, in-home care services create a versatile environment that allows family and friends to maintain an active role in their loved one’s care. Schedules can also be arranged to ensure that there is always someone available to provide support to a senior, such as a health aide in the mornings and other family members in the afternoon and evening.
8. Caring Companionships
As adults get older, they often drift away from friends and lose loved ones. Oftentimes, this results in feelings of loneliness or depression. Maintaining social interaction is important for a senior’s physical and mental health. In-home caregivers can provide seniors with some of the social interaction they need. Home health aides can become trusted companions for walks, games, movies, reading, and other social activities. They can also accompany seniors on errands, such as medical appointments and grocery shopping trips.
Learn More About In-Home Care Services
Some family members may not recognize the need for professional care for their loved ones. It is important to familiarize yourself with the subtle signs that your loved one may need help in the home. You may notice the person’s health is declining, their diet is poor, they are withdrawing from their favorite activities, or they have unexplained injuries. They may also have a disheveled appearance due to a lack of self-care. Getting your loved one the care they need can make a drastic difference in their overall health, happiness, and wellbeing. For more information about in-home care services, contact Comfort Home Care.
