Understanding How Professional In-Home Care Works
With age comes the need for assistance with activities that were once handled alone. For many seniors, the idea of moving to an assisted living facility negatively impacts their happiness and quality of life.
In these cases, in-home care is an excellent alternative that enables a senior to get the support and aid they need in the comfort of their own home, helping them maintain a greater quality of life.
There are several types of in-home care your family may pursue depending on the unique needs of your loved one. From traditional in-home care, including assistance with daily activities, to joint replacement care and specialized memory care, there are many avenues when it comes to securing the proper services for your loved one to ensure their needs are met on a daily basis.
Caring for Your Loved One
If you are responsible for your loved one’s care needs, you may find yourself feeling overwhelmed. That’s where in-home care professionals can help.
With an array of specialized services designed to fit your loved one’s unique needs and preferences, your family can get the extra help and attention you need to keep your loved one healthy in the place they feel most comfortable.
Senior (Elder) Care
Senior care is designed to fill in the role of additional help by providing assistance with non-medical services. This can be ideal for families who cannot take time off to tend to their loved one’s growing needs, or who live too far from their loved ones.
As senior care is not medically oriented, these services may include assistance with daily activities, such as bathing, grooming, and mobility assistance.
Furthermore, senior care can be a hands-off service, offering companionship, transportation aid, or even help with managing finances or light housework. Essentially these services are designed to facilitate the instrumental activities of daily life.
Alzheimer’s Care
Seniors with Alzheimer’s care needs are often placed in assisted living facilities. However, it is possible for them to continue living safely in the comfort of their own home, surrounded by familiar things that bring them peace and aid in keeping confusion and stress at bay.
In-home Alzheimer’s care is a focused type of care that takes into consideration the unique needs that accompany this disease. An in-home caregiver can help a senior with Alzheimer’s navigate the challenges of memory loss with customizable care plans that include daily needs, social and mental stimulation, and a routine that keeps them safe and healthy.
Dementia Care
Dementia can be caused by many things, including Alzheimer’s disease. When a person is struggling with the progressive nature of dementia, they can be more prone to confusion, belligerent behaviors, delusions, anxiety, and sundowning, as well as incontinence in later stages.
This type of care includes a great deal of compassion and respect, as the needs and dignity of the senior are at the forefront of the care plan.
An in-home care professional can assist seniors with dementia care needs with their daily needs, keep them social and engaged in activities, assist them with transportation to and from appointments or gatherings, help them manage their medications, and keep them on a custom-tailored schedule that enhances their quality of life.
Joint Replacement Care
Seniors who undergo joint replacement get a new lease on life. However, the aftermath of surgery performed on weight-bearing joints can be strenuous, as it limits their mobility and independence while they heal.
In-home joint replacement care can be helpful for these seniors, as it offers them a helping hand in completing activities around the home, grooming needs, and assistance getting to their doctor appointments during recovery.
Joint replacement care can be a short-term or long-term solution depending on the needs of the individual. This type of care ensures that a senior is safe as they regain full mobility, aiding in preventing falls and accidents.
In-Home Hospice Care
When a person approaches their end-of-life journey, many wish to stay in their homes to live out their remaining days surrounded by family in the place they feel most at peace.
For these individuals, in-home hospice care can offer support and respectful care for both the person and their families.
In-home hospice care plans consist of a team of professionals who handle an array of services depending on the person’s preferences and needs.
Hospice care teams may include a religious or spiritual leader, a psychologist, a bereavement counselor, a social worker, various types of therapists, and other help.
Home Safety Evaluations
Some seniors may not need hands-on assistance, but rather some help to make their home a safe place for them to live. With age comes reduced mobility and cognitive impairments that may make once perfectly safe home set-ups a hazard for a senior.
A home safety evaluation does not require you to sign up for an in-home care plan. It can be used as a stand-alone service that enhances the safety and security of your home.
An in-home care specialist can conduct an in-depth home safety evaluation to assess the potential risks of the home and make strategic suggestions on what modifications can be made.
This may include identifying areas with poor lighting, tripping hazards, or areas that may benefit from railings or additional support features.
In-Home Care Plan Assessment
In-home care plans can be comprised of one of the above services or a combination of services provided as frequently as your loved one needs them.
The process of starting in-home care begins with a comprehensive evaluation and consultation to determine the requirements of your loved one and which services will contribute most to their quality of life.
During an in-home care assessment, the social worker or caregiving service providers work to understand the senior and pay close attention to their aspirations for home care and their preferences, which enables them to tailor a unique plan, successfully meeting the senior’s requirements and bringing them comfort in their decision.
Family Support
In-home care plans don’t just benefit the senior receiving the care; they also benefit the family of the senior. Being a caretaker can be overwhelming and emotional.
As a senior’s condition worsens or their needs evolve, loved ones may find themselves feeling stressed, frustrated, or neglecting their own needs.
It’s important to remember that bringing in professional outside help is not a failure as a caregiver. It is a value-adding resource that further contributes to the well-being of your loved one and yourself.
When you get the support you need, you are better equipped to help your loved one live a fulfilling life.
Let’s Discuss Your Loved One’s In-Home Care Needs
If you are considering in-home care or a home safety evaluation for yourself or your loved one, Placita In Home Care’s knowledgeable home care professionals are here to facilitate the process.
We offer an array of in-home care services designed to assist with your family’s needs in a compassionate and dignified manner whenever you need us.
Contact our friendly team of home care experts today to schedule a consultation and learn more about how we can help you improve your loved one’s quality of life.