More than 65 million people in the United States care for a senior while working a job and taking care of personal responsibilities. Caregiving is a difficult job, and when a loved one does it, such as an adult daughter or son, it can become nearly impossible with all other demands involved. Home care assists seniors and their loved ones to alleviate the typical stressors of the aging process.
Home Health Care Services
What services are provided by home health care services? Keep reading:
Relief to Caregivers
Caring for an older loved one can become overwhelming and exhausting. Burnout is common among caregivers, which puts a strain on the relationship between the senior and loved ones. In home health care services reduce the amount of work a loved one has to do, which allows more time for quality time.
Around the Clock Care
Home health care services can help the senior receive around-the-clock care. When a caregiver is unable to stay with the senior, the home care professional can fill in to ensure nothing happens to the senior. For instance, if your father is unstable on his feet, a professional caregiver can come to his home to help him to the bathroom and other places to reduce fall risk while you’re away.
Skilled Medical Care
Home health care agencies have skilled nurses available to provide medical care. They know how to use high-technology medical equipment and can assess a senior’s stability and needs quickly and accurately, giving relief to seniors and their loved ones during the later stage of life.
Diet and Nutrition Support
Adults over 65 years need to consume a nutritious diet to stay healthy. Home care services provide education, direction, and cooking that support a nutritious, healthy food.
Medication Management
Medication compliance can become an issue as seniors grow older and more forgetful. Loved ones may have a difficult time with medication management because they have other responsibilities. Home health care professionals can administer, track, and manage seniors’ medication to ensure compliance.
Companionship
Due to limited mobility, most seniors are unable to engage in the social activities they used to love, leading to loneliness and depression. Home care professionals provide the companionship many seniors miss about their younger years. They can take seniors for walks, read, play cards, games, and discuss desired topics.
Housekeeping
Living in a clean, safe environment is essential for seniors. Home care professionals can clean the home thoroughly, including vacuuming, mopping, wiping down countertops and other surfaces, dusting, and doing dishes. They can also do laundry.
Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
Seniors find it difficult to bathe and groom themselves daily as they grow older. Home care services include helping seniors with ADLs, meaning seniors receive assistance with taking a bath or shower, brushing their hair and teeth, and getting dressed in clean clothes.
Prevent Bedsores
Bedsores are common for bed-ridden seniors. Home care professionals help prevent bedsores because they help seniors move in bed and in and out of bed throughout the day, which is a relief to loved ones who may not have an easy time moving the senior alone.
Continence Care
Seniors suffering from incontinence need continence care. Home care agencies have experienced individuals who know what to do to ensure seniors are comfortable. They also help reduce the risks of urinary tract infections and incontinence-related dermatitis.
Occupational and Physical Therapy at Home
Home care agencies often employ occupational and physical therapists to provide in-home services to seniors. These services make it possible for seniors to have these therapies if they have been able to before due to not being able to get to an office for appointments.
Transportation
Medical appointments, grocery shopping, and running errands can be difficult for seniors who can’t drive and cumbersome for loved ones who have busy lives. Home care agencies offer transportation services to help. Home care professionals can transport and support seniors during a medical appointment, take them to the grocery store, bank, and other places to ensure they can keep up on what they need to do to live healthily and comfortable.
Prevents the Need for Hospital or Nursing Care
Seniors prefer to stay in their homes for as long as possible. They can do this when they have a home care professional taking care of them, especially when they receive medical care assistance. Home care agencies may also offer hospice care services, which can provide a comfortable place for seniors’ remaining days.
Reduces Senior Living Costs
The cost of home care is much less than living in a nursing home or assisted living facility. The average price of care in a nursing facility is $544 a day, but the average cost of home care is $132 a day.
Personalized Care
Home health care is personalized. Professional caregivers assess needs and desires and then customize a service plan. This way, seniors receive what they need to improve their quality of life.
Take Advantage of Home Care Services
Home care services are important to seniors and their loved ones. They provide what seniors need to grow older comfortably, healthy, and safely. They offer loved ones the relief they need to be able to manage their responsibilities and maintain and improve the quality of the relationship.
Medicare covers home health care services for those who qualify. Find out who qualifies for home health care services.
This article was writen by Marcelina Hardy and was last updated on .
My name is Marcelina (Marcie) Hardy, and I’m a senior care advisor offering Medicare-approved home health care, nursing home, hospice, and long term hospital care options.