Many seniors today are fortunate enough to enjoy living independently well into their golden years. However, older adults eventually reach the point where they need help around the house. While this can sometimes happen quickly due to an accident, you may also find your senior loved one experiences gradual changes that alter the ability to handle daily responsibilities. When this happens, hiring an in-home caregiver provides a few wonderful benefits.
1. Provide Emotional Support
Seniors who live alone are more vulnerable to the effects of stress on their emotional wellbeing. After all, loneliness, grief, and boredom all take a toll on emotional health. In-home caregivers make it a point to maintain a cheerful attitude as they help seniors with their daily routines. Whether the caregiver is cracking a joke or offering encouragement during a challenging activity, your loved one can thrive in response to the caregiver’s positive attitude.
2. Watch for New Health Conditions
Many developing health issues begin with mild symptoms that are easy to overlook. However, professional caregivers are trained to monitor seniors for changes that signify the need for further investigation, such as an altered gait or unexplained weight loss. If a medical appointment is necessary, a professional caregiver can help your parent schedule one and get to the doctor’s office safely.
Seniors who want to remain healthy as they age can benefit in a variety of ways when they receive professional home care service. Home Care Assistance is here to help your loved one accomplish daily tasks, prevent illness, and focus on living a healthier and more fulfilling life.
Help with Medication Management
New medications being added to your loved one’s treatment plan may make it difficult to stay on track. Seniors with memory loss may also have difficulty taking their medications on time. However, an in-home caregiver can help your loved one set up a personalized medication management plan that may include tools such as pill dispensers or logs to make sure the medicine is taken appropriately.
4. Support Family Caregivers
When a senior loved one first needs help, family caregivers often try to do it all themselves. However, there tends to come a time when this is no longer possible due to the senior’s increasing care needs or family members’ other commitments. In-home caregivers provide respite care options that range from a few hours a week to overnight stays, allowing family members to tend to their own needs.
There are a variety of reasons family caregivers should consider respite care. Anchorage, AK, families often have additional responsibilities that make it more challenging to provide the care their senior loved ones need and deserve. A professional respite caregiver can take over your important caregiving duties, allowing you more time to focus on yourself.
5.Assist with Personal Hygiene
Physical and mental changes in the senior years sometimes affect the ability to take care of personal hygiene. Going about with unkempt hair or skipping too many baths could have a negative effect on your loved one’s self-esteem and cause issues that impact his or her comfort, such as skin rashes. Professional caregiving services can include hygiene assistance so your loved one always feels fresh and clean.
6. Prevent Fall-Related Injuries
When you arrange for professional caregiving services, your loved one’s caregiver can conduct a risk assessment when visiting the home for the first time. Often, small changes can be made to prevent falls, such as removing a loose rug or adding a nonskid mat to the bathtub. Preventing fall-related injuries can help your loved one maintain a high level of independence while aging in place.
If your senior loved one needs professional in-home care in Anchorage, Home Care Assistance is here to help. We are a trusted provider of respite and 24-hour care, and we also offer specialized Alzheimer’s, dementia, Parkinson’s, and stroke care for seniors. To learn about our high-quality in-home care options, give us a call at (907) 770-0907 today.