There comes a time in life when you and your family may need to call in additional support for the senior members of your family. After all, their safety and well-being are your primary concern. You need to give them the support that allows them to feel safe and comfortable. This is where elderly home care comes in.
Choosing the right in-home care provider can help you address all your concerns. But let’s first understand why exactly is in-home care necessary?
In-Home Care For Seniors: Why Is It Important?
We live in an ever-busy world with so much to manage that we practically juggle our responsibilities, and we often find ourselves torn between our needs and those we care for. We try to balance everything from our lives to our careers to caring for our families. And to top it off, if our parents or loved ones start facing concerns like a disability, disease, or terminal illness. What do you do then? That’s why many family caregivers are curious about in-home care services that can help them manage the many responsibilities of caring for an older adult.
The biggest advantage of in-home care is that it allows older adults to remain in their homes and avoid going to a nursing home. Many kinds of research on aging show that older adults feel more comfortable with the environment at home. Of course, the factor of receiving in-home care depends on the level of needs of a person. For instance, does one need nursing or medical care? If so, home care is not the best choice. If medical care is not an issue, a professional caregiver through a home care agency will suffice.
Now, having discussed the importance of in-home care for seniors, let’s look at some signs when a loved one might need home care.
Indicators Your Loved One May Need Home Care
According to Convex Interactive, The majority of older people are happy and independent. However, as people get older, they experience physical and mental changes that make it difficult to maintain independence. While a decline in functional abilities doesn’t always necessitate the transfer to a nursing home, it does indicate a need for extra help to support your elderly parents or loved ones.
The signs can appear out of nowhere, shocking family members that the older adults in the house may need home care. These signs may include unexplained scars, confusion, and difficulty performing daily tasks like dressing, eating, cooking, etc. Whatever the case may be, watching your parents age is difficult and worrying. However, recognizing signs like these in your loved ones can help you decide when to get them some additional help.
That being said, here’s a list of several signs indicating whether your loved one requires in-home:
Difficulty Remembering Things
It’s natural to forget things as you get older. Your brain also takes a toll along with all the other body parts. As a result, you may notice your aging parents having trouble recalling recent information, misplacing items, and being forgetful in general. These are all signs that your parents may require additional assistance.
Poor Personal Hygiene
Changes in personal care and hygiene are two of the most common red flags that your loved ones are struggling to keep up with routine personal care activities. For instance, if you notice your parent wearing the same clothes for days, has a disheveled appearance, and abandoning their usual hygiene habits. It may be time to discuss the topic of home care with them.
Excessive Mood Swings
Sudden changes in attitude can signify that an older adult is dealing with issues like depression, loss of energy, or a complete loss of interest in activities they once enjoyed. Hiring an in-home caregiver can ensure that your parent always has someone around them.
Having A Hard Time Moving Around
It’s common for seniors to experience difficulty with mobility as they age. If you’ve noticed that your elderly loved one can’t stand or sit without grunting, you might consider hiring an in-home caregiver. They can’t only make it easier for older adults to get around more easily but also help them keep active using basic mobility exercises.
Things To Look For When Hiring Home Care Help For Seniors
So you’ve decided it’s time to find a caregiver. Then you need someone with whom your loved ones would feel secure and at ease. You want the best possible assistance, but with so many home care agencies, you may be overwhelmed with so many choices and make the wrong decision.
To help you avoid that, there are a few different ways to determine which agency will work best for you.
Know Your Loved One’s Needs
Before you find the best in-home care provider, assess the needs of the person who needs care and assistance. Home care is a broad term, and knowing what kind of assistance your loved one needs will help you determine what level of care would be best suited for your situation.
Ask For Recommendations
You could start your search for a home care agency by asking for recommendations from your doctor, family, or friends. This will greatly narrow down your options.
Do Your Research
Even after asking for recommendations, you can’t just choose a home care provider and go with that decision, especially when it concerns your loved ones. Before you hire a home care agency, it’s a good idea to do your research and find out what others think.
Interview A Homecare Agency
After conducting your research and narrowing down your options, the next step is to interview the agency itself. Set up a call or appointment and do the follows:
- Inquire about their caregiver training.
- Find out if your loved one will have a consistent caregiver or if they will have different people coming in and out.
- Who would oversee the caregiver, and how would they ensure that the caregiver is providing proper care?
After going through this process with your few selected agencies, you’ll have a good sense of which one is the best fit.
To Conclude
Caring for older adults will always present challenges regarding their safety and care. But, in-home care for a loved one is the best way to ensure they age gracefully and receive all the care, support, and assistance they require to remain happy and safe.
Ready to hire an in-home caregiver for your loved one? Consider getting in touch with companies like Happy Hands LLC. They offer personal and individual home help for seniors and are a perfect fit to give your parents the care and comfort they deserve! Book a consultation today!