Senior Home Care

Most seniors will eventually need assistance. It can be very difficult for loved ones to know when that moment comes. However, the process of hiring a caregiver will be easier if you’re not trying to do it after a crisis. Choosing the right person can be the difference between being able to stay home and having to move into a long-term care facility.
 
When to Hire a Caregiver

There are many signs that you can use as guideposts in your decision. If you’re the primary caregiver, you may find yourself becoming overwhelmed. Perhaps your loved one’s needs have grown too numerous or perhaps you desperately need a break but never seem to get one.

Making yourself ill won’t help your loved one. You need to take care of yourself as well. If you constantly find that your own needs are neglected, it’s time to start thinking about getting outside help.

An in-home caregiver might be a shock at first. However, your loved one should be able to adapt to the right person. The caregiver’s goal is to make your life easier, not harder. That means he or she will try to disrupt your routine as little as possible. Your loved one’s comfort is paramount.

There are also physical signs that your loved one needs a caregiver. How is their balance? Do they have trouble standing up from chairs? Seniors who are unsteady on their feet are at risk of falling. If someone isn’t home to help when the fall occurs, your loved one could spend hours laying on the ground in agony.

You should also look at your loved one’s self-care routine. Are they taking their medication correctly? If your loved one is unable to take their medication on their own, you’ll need to find someone to start supervising them. It’s very important that they follow their doctor’s treatment plan.

Skipping medications can wreak havoc on your body

Massachusetts company North River Home Care notes that it’s “crucial” that family members “obtain superior home care services for a loved one needing assistance.”

How to Talk to Your Loved one About Home Care

Once you’ve noticed the signs that your loved one needs extra assistance to get through their day-to-lives, it can be incredibly difficult to initiate the conversation. Your loved one might become upset or emotional. They might be resistant to change or feel unhappy about needing help.

It may seem like a daunting task but you don’t want to put off the conversation for too long. Your loved one might be injured or they might go days without taking their medication.

Often, the person knows or suspects that they need help. They might feel nervous about talking about it aloud or they might be afraid to ask for help.
 
Advantages of Home Care

There are huge benefits to hiring an in-home caregiver. Many adults appreciate the ability to remain in their own home for as long as possible. Adapting to life with a caregiver can be hard. Doing it in an environment that you already feel comfortable in can make the process easier.

In-home care is cheaper than a nursing home and provides more individualized attention. Your loved one’s caregiver will be focused entirely on them.

You should also highlight the fact that your loved one will be more independent with a caregiver than if they moved into a residential or nursing facility. Their life doesn’t have to change drastically.

One of the biggest advantages of hiring a caregiver is the peace of mind that it’ll give both you and your loved one. You’ll know that if anything happens, your loved one won’t be alone.

Choosing a Home Care Provider

Few decisions are as important as choosing the right home care provider. It’s a big change in your loved one’s life. You want everything to go as smoothly as possible. That means hiring someone that you can trust. The caregiver will be witness to intimate moments. They’ll see your loved one during times when they’re vulnerable or frightened. It’s really important to choose a quality person.

You should also think about your loved one’s needs. If they have serious medical complications, they might need a licensed nurse to care for them rather than a caregiver. This is a decision you can make with your loved one’s doctor if you don’t feel comfortable making it yourself.

Whatever you decide to do, there are resources you can use to help. Before settling on a caregiver, read reviews about the company they work for. If there are a lot of negative reviews, be wary.

This is a guest blog entry.