In-home care services offer support that goes beyond visiting nurse services. Hiring an in-home caregiver for your loved one will allow them to remain in the comfort of their own home, surrounded by their belongings, while still receiving the care they need to stay safe and healthy. An in-home care agency can offer companionship, help with mobility and meals, transportation to medical appointments, assistance with the tasks of daily living, and other services that maintain your loved one’s safety in their home.
Your loved one can retain some level of independence and you won’t need to worry that they are going to suffer from a fall, wander away from home, or take the wrong medication. Here is a look at how in-home care services support aging adults and empower their independence.
Allowing Your Loved One to Age in Place
One of the reasons in-home care services empower elderly adults and help them maintain their independence is because they allow the person to age in place. Aging in place means progressing through life stages in the same home or facility, even as your needs change. Aging in place in the comfort of your own home offers stability, warmth, and familiarity.
Transitioning into an assisted living facility or nursing home can be stressful and overwhelming, especially if your loved one has to give up their belongings or a beloved pet. When you hire an in-home caregiver, your loved one can remain at home where they feel safe and comfortable, and they can be surrounded by their personal items and objects that hold history and meaning for them. This helps them retain their independence and maintain a positive attitude.
Ensuring Your Home Is Safe for Your Loved One
Allowing your loved one to remain in their home and maintain a level of independence will enhance their quality of life and overall mood. However, it’s important to make sure your loved one’s home is safe. As people age, they lose muscle mass, coordination, and balance. They may also develop memory problems, cognitive issues, or illnesses that affect their mobility and/or safety.
Their home may become risky and certain areas, like bathrooms, can make your loved one vulnerable to a fall or injury. Scheduling a home safety assessment is the best way to make sure your loved one’s home is safe. A professional will evaluate the interior and exterior of your loved one’s home to identify potential areas of risk and health and safety issues. They can then provide you with a report detailing specific improvements and repairs that should be made to enhance the safety of the home.
Finding the Right In-Home Care Agency
When you find the right in-home care agency, your loved one will receive compassionate, highly individualized care. Your loved one’s in-home caregiver can provide companionship, conversation, and assistance with tasks your loved one may no longer be able to complete on their own. Here are some tips for finding the right in-home care agency:
- Ask friends and family for recommendations
- Ask for a referral from your loved one’s physician
- Ask for recommendations from your local council on aging or a social services agency for the elderly
- Check reviews carefully
- Schedule consultations to ask questions and gain information
- Request proof of experience and credentials
- Ask for references
- Verify their license and insurance coverage
- Ask them how they vet and train their caregivers
- Agree to a trial period rather than entering into a strict contract
Choosing In-Home Care Services Wisely
In addition to choosing a local senior care agency, you will also have some level of control over the services your loved one receives. You should be able to choose which services are relevant for your loved one’s age, overall health, needs, and goals. You want to choose services that will benefit your loved one and keep them safe without alienating them or causing them to feel like they’re losing their independence. Most in-home care agencies offer services like:
- Assistance with getting in and out of bed and to and from the bathroom
- Help getting around the house safely
- Assistance with bathing, grooming, personal care, and dressing
- Meal preparation and/or grocery shopping
- Medication management or medication reminders
- Companionship
- Memory care services
- Transportation to and from medical appointments and/or social engagements
- Light housework like laundry and dishes
Involving Your Loved One in the Process
Involving your loved one in the process of choosing an in-home caregiver will help them feel more confident in their decision and better understand the benefits. When they have some control over the choice, they will feel more empowered and confident, and will be less likely to question your decision.
Involving Other Family Members in the Process
You should also involve other family members in the decision making process. When your loved one sees that other people are committed to this decision as well, they will feel more involved in the process and more confident about their choices. Involving family members also ensures emotional support and increased companionship for your loved one.
Helping Your Loved One Maintain Dignity
Hiring an in-home care agency will offer your loved one dignity as they age. They will be able to maintain their independence and autonomy and remain in the comfort of their own home. Rather than being in a facility or an institutional setting, they will be in their own home where they feel confident, valued, and respected. This can have very positive effects on their mental and physical health, as they are less likely to develop depression, anxiety, or fear.
Scheduling Regular Check-Ins With the In-Home Care Provider
Once you have hired a reputable in-home care agency, you can further maintain your loved one’s comfort, security, and safety by staying in touch with the in-home care provider. Ask for regular updates about your loved one’s mood, health, stability, and comfort.
Elderly people are at a much higher risk of isolation, loneliness, and depression and having an in-home or elder care specialist can provide companionship and emotional support. Staying updated on your loved one’s progress with their caregiver will ensure the relationship is beneficial and empowering for your loved one. You will also be able to stay apprised as to whether your loved one’s health or needs are changing and they need assisted living placement services.
Evaluating Health and Mobility Needs
Another key element of fostering independence for your loved one is keeping them mobile and healthy. The stronger and healthier your loved one is, the more capable they will be around their home and the less likely they are to suffer from an injury, fall, or illness. You should coordinate with your loved one’s in-home caregiver and physician to determine the level of daily exercise your loved one needs.
You should also work with an occupational therapist to determine if your loved one should participate in therapeutic exercise or the use of mobility aids. Even if your loved one isn’t ready for around-the-clock care or transitioning into an assisted living facility, they still need to be proactive about maintaining their health and mobility to prevent future problems.
Schedule a Consultation to Discuss In-Home Care
If you’re ready to learn more about in-home care services in Tucson and the metro Phoenix area, our team at Placita In Home Care can help. We offer compassionate and highly personalized in-home care services, including assistance with the tasks of daily living, mobility assistance, meal preparation, light housekeeping, medication management, companionship, memory care and Alzheimer’s care, and transportation to medical appointments. We also offer free home safety evaluations and assisted living placement services. Call us today or contact us online to schedule a consultation to discuss our options for in-home care services.