Caring for an elderly loved one is challenging, whether they live with you or not. Between caring for Mom, Dad, or whomever and juggling your other responsibilities, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. You don’t have to care for seniors you love by yourself, and sending Mom or Dad to a nursing home isn’t your only option. There are many benefits to hiring an in-home caregiver.
How can a caregiver help? Every care situation is different, but here are a few ways caregivers can assist you and your elderly loved ones.
One of the biggest benefits of having a caregiver is that seniors can remain at home, whether that’s their home or yours. The caregiver will simply go to the senior’s home to provide the needed services. This might be as simple as helping with meals or as extensive as providing 24-hour care.
More than 90% of people prefer in-home care to nursing home or other institutional care. Having an in-home caregiver will allow the seniors you love to keep their independence and stay with their families.
Caregivers can help with as much or as little as you need. There are many daily tasks that go into caring for a senior loved one that can easily take a toll on family members. Caregivers can relieve stress and help with:
By having a caregiver to help with these daily tasks, you can spend less time worrying about getting these little things done and more quality time with your special senior.
Many people assume that a nursing home is the only option when a senior begins requiring regular medical attention, but that isn’t the case. Many caregivers are registered nurses and can provide needed medical care right in your home. RN caregivers can help with:
As your elderly loved ones age, they will likely need even more care, care that you may not have enough knowledge to provide. A caregiver can fill this gap and allow seniors to stay at home.
It’s normal to worry about your elderly loved ones, but it’s important to recognize that you can’t be with them all the time, especially if they don’t live with you. One of the benefits of having a caregiver is that he or she will be with your loved one as often as needed. By spending time with your loved one on a regular basis, a caregiver can watch for physical and cognitive changes and notify you if something seems alarming. You can take comfort in knowing that your loved one is being cared for by a professional.
It isn’t easy leaving the care of your loved one in the hands of someone else. Deciding to hire an in-home caregiver is a big decision that requires research. As you contact care providers, here are a few questions to ask:
These questions will help you get a better idea of an agency’s experience and services.
Nursing home and institutional care aren’t the only care options for seniors, and here are many benefits of having a caregiver. Talk to the seniors in your life about how they would like to be cared for, and research the caregiving options in your area.
Angels Senior Home Solutions is a based-in-faith company that provides in-home healthcare and personal care services for seniors. Visit our website here or find us on Facebook or Twitter!
