Elderly Care | Disabled Care | Caregiver | Incontinence Care | Disabled Children Care in Twin Falls, Idaho

Benefits of Home Care for Seniors

Benefits of Home Care for Seniors
Aging is a fact of life. It doesn’t matter how healthy or athletic we are, at certain point we all experience a decline in motor coordination. While family and friends can help with small tasks, sometimes they lack the skills to support their senior loved ones adequately. That’s why it’s important to count on professionals like caregivers: they can provide the elderly with the best care possible. But how do you find the best option?

According to a survey called The United States of Aging, 90% percent of seniors intend to continue living in their current homes, and nearly 80% of Americans aged 70 and older say they can’t live independently and accomplish daily tasks without assistance. In this blog, we explain why home care is always preferable to a nursing home.

Caregivers Offer More Independence

Most seniors prefer receiving home care over moving to a nursing home because they want to be more independent. While a retirement facility could mean a new beginning, it requires a period of adaptation, and your loved one’s home is already the perfect place to make them feel happy, comfortable, and confident. Naturally, the elderly still need help with some activities, like meal preparation, bathroom aid, and dressing. Also, having someone to take care of them helps prevent accidents. A professional caregiver can offer assistance, companionship, and independence in a way that wouldn’t be possible at a nursing home.

Home Care Helps Healing

In-home care is a great option for seniors who are recovering from a medical condition or a surgery. A professional caregiver will ensure the safety of your loved ones by taking into account their medical history and specific needs. Be aware that this journey to recovery is often emotionally overwhelming for both the elderly and their families. However, caregivers are prepared to support patients in pain and help them heal faster. In addition to that, being at home, establishing social connections, and feeling independent have a positive mental impact on seniors. Home care services go beyond making sure that medicines are being administered properly and are valuable for improving wellness and health.

You’ll Get Personalized Care

If you need someone to look after your senior loved one, you should consider home care because it offers a personalized service. Home care provides high-quality, safe, and affordable assistance tailored for specific needs. The caregiver can work together with either the family or the health care provider to create a program and make adjustments on the fly.

A Caring Hand Home Care has been helping seniors in the state of Idaho and surrounding areas for over 25 years. All our caregivers are submitted to an extensive reference and background check to make sure they’re the right people for the job. If you have a loved one who needs elderly care, contact us through our website or call 208-736-4903.

Managing Your Parents’ Needs—And Yours

managing-parents-needs-blog

Helping Your Parents Stay in their Homes Longer

As your parents age, knowing how to help them stay in their home while adequately offering assistance can be difficult. However, understanding which signs indicate they need help is the first step toward being able to assist them effectively. Likewise, when it’s apparent that your parent requires more support than what you’re capable of giving, it’s important to understand your options regarding home care. Lastly, make sure you ask for assistance from other family members. Supporting your parent as they age is challenging, but asking for help from a sibling can help.

Looking For Signs Your Parent Requires Help

If you and your siblings have spent most of your adult lives away from the family home, the holidays are an opportunity to witness changes in your parents’ personalities. USA Today has a good article on how the holidays are an opportunity to witness any “off” behavior. For example: has your mom or dad put supper in the oven only to forget about it entirely? Have you found the milk in the bathroom cabinet or the toothbrush in the fridge? Although these may seem harmless, if strange behaviors repeat, they may be a red flag.

Adding Physical Supports Around The Home

Even if your parent is still cognitively alert, they may require more physical help. For your parents’ safety, it’s essential to understand their limitations around the home, even if they don’t. The first step in creating a safe home for your senior parent is to clear out the clutter. Whether you’re welcoming your parent into your home or helping them to organize their own, reducing anything they may trip over will ensure their safety. Secondly, using baby gates to protect your parent from steep stairs will lessen the chance of them tumbling down in the middle of the night. Lastly, installing handrails and around the home will allow them to move around independently.

Don’t Go Through it Alone

If you suspect your parent or parents may need more help than they’re indicating, the holidays offer a perfect opportunity for a family meeting on how to best support their advanced needs. Ultimately, implementing changes in your parent’s life is difficult, but any changes may be better received if they are realized in a family discussion. However, whether you decide to hire home care to help them remain in their house longer, or move them into your home, asking for another family member’s assistance will help to facilitate the changes.

Contact Us

If you feel that your parent or loved one would benefit from some external help, contact us. And remember, home care isn’t just for the individual who needs assistance, but for the caregiver as well.