Home care allows seniors to remain in familiar surroundings, which has been shown to aid healing time and foster relationships that boost morale.
Be sure to ask for references from former clients when selecting a provider; this way, you’ll gain first-hand insight into the quality and professionalism of their services.
Peace of Mind
Home care agencies provide your loved one with personalized attention from trained caregivers who will monitor both physical and emotional wellbeing, communicating regularly with you about your loved one’s progress – taking away much of the guesswork associated with placing someone into a facility.
Your loved ones can also remain in their familiar homes, avoiding uprooting and expensive facility care fees. Nine out of ten seniors say they wish to remain living at home as long as possible; by working with an agency for home care they have this chance.
Your senior can still do what they enjoy – meeting friends for coffee, attending bowling or women’s group gatherings, gardening or spending time in their garden. If your senior doesn’t have transportation available to them, home caregivers can assist in getting them where they need to go and running errands as needed.
Independence
Selecting the ideal senior home care is a journey that involves both heart and intellect, but with proper research and professional guidance it should become manageable.
No matter if you live alone or in an assisted living community, caring aides are an invaluable asset in maintaining independence. Beginning as companion or personal care assistant and as your needs develop into home health aide or respite care services as your needs alter. There are multiple financial options for paying for home care; Medicare and PACE provide government funding options; private pay may use retirement funds, savings accounts or life insurance policies while non-profit organizations and state programs also provide grants and assistance programs for paying.
Health
Home care services provide an ideal option for seniors in need of assistance who don’t yet require 24-hour nursing. Home care allows seniors to remain in their own homes and live as normal – something which many elderly individuals find appealing compared to moving into a nursing home.
Personal relationships between seniors and caregivers through in-home care also improve health outcomes. Studies have demonstrated how loneliness and isolation lead to worsening physical health; having a caregiver provide companionship and social stimulation.
Home health agencies that provide an information registry will enable you to make more informed decisions when hiring caregivers for loved ones at home. Referrals from friends and family are an ideal way to find qualified, experienced caregivers – giving your loved one peace of mind while they receive care.
Safety
More adults than ever prefer aging at home, and home care services can make this an easier and safer process. Senior safety improvements may include medical alert devices to stay connected to emergency response services and loved ones at all times, and indoor cameras to monitor for theft or abuse from in-home caretakers or maintenance staff.
Safety also involves eliminating hazards that can lead to accidents, including long electrical cords that pose tripping risks, cluttered walkways and slippery flooring. Installing grab bars in showers and bathtubs may help decrease falls, while adding stair lifts may provide relief for those struggling with stairs.
Biden-Harris Administration continues to increase scrutiny on nursing homes through CMS Special Focus Facility program, mandating more frequent inspections to ensure taxpayer money goes towards providing seniors with high quality, safe, dignified care that they deserve.