Why Hire In-Home Caregiver for your Aging Parents

You might probably have a lot of anxiety and worries about the well-being and ongoing welfare of your aging parents. The current health situation of your aging parents might have put you in a position of being the primary caregiver. This will certainly put a lot of pressure on your shoulders and it may even take your focus out of other important work related tasks.

It is a fact that many of us are the primary health caregivers of our aging parents, but being a health caregiver for your elderly is certainly a big responsibility. Many first-timers find it quite hard to manage and realize that they need help, although without a clue on where to start.

This is where hiring in-home senior care can help you. If you have a professional in-home caregiver who is capable of providing a flexible and adaptable range of heath care service to your aging parents, then you can ensure that your aging parents will enjoy all the optimal life qualities throughout their golden years.

A decrease in memory, vision, and reaction times are some of the reasons why your aging parents will eventually need the help of an experienced in-home caregiver. Age-related and degenerative diseases like the Parkinson’s disease can make even a minor task incredibly challenging to the seniors.

If any of your parents has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, then they will certainly have trouble in bathing and grooming as well, because of the decrease in fine motor control and the diminished mobility issues. In such a scenario, the in-home caregiver will assist them with each of these daily tasks while exhibiting empathy, professionalism, and utmost respect.

In addition to that, in-home senior caregivers will also encourage the elders to perform their own responsibilities as much as possible. Studies prove that if the elders were encouraged to use their cognitive abilities, fine motor skills, and memories, then the chances for them to retain these abilities are a lot higher.

Apparently, if you hire an in-home caregiver, then you will not have to act as a primary caregiver for your aging parents. They will work with your parents and doctors to decide the type of health care your loved ones need, and they will lay out an efficient plan to meet the health care needs of your parents.

In-Home Health Care Options

In-home care includes many services that are provided in the home, rather than in a care facility or a hospital. In-home health care will allow seniors with Alzheimer’s or Dementia to stay at home while receiving the adequate care they need. However, you should understand that not all in-home care services are the same.

Some of the in-home caregivers offer only non-medical help, like help with daily routines and living, whereas some providers include medical care in their services as well. The medical care is offered by a licensed healthcare professional, like a therapist or a nurse, so that all the needs of the senior are met appropriately. Below is a brief look at the different types of in-home care services.

Personal Care Services – These services offer help with bathing, toileting, dressing, exercising, eating, and other personal care.

Companion Care Services – Companion care services offer assistance in recreational activities, supervision, and visiting.

Skilled Care Services – They offer services with wound care, physical therapy, injections, and other medical needs by a licensed healthcare professional. Usually, a home healthcare agency will coordinate this type of skilled care services.

Homemaker Services – Homemaker services offer help with housekeeping, meal preparation, and shopping.

Finding In-Home Care Services

If you are searching for in-home caregivers, the following resources can help you find the best in-home caregiver in your area.

Talk to the Physician

Consulting with the physician who offers care for your aging parents is a great place to start. You may ask the doctor for recommendations of in-home health care providers who have good experience in caring for people with Alzheimer’s and Dementia.

Call Local Alzheimer’s Association

The chapter of Alzheimer’s Association in your locality will be able to offer you help in finding the best in-home caregiver in your area. They can also provide you referrals on caregivers.

Ask Neighbors, Friends, and Family

You may also ask your neighbors, friends, and family to know more about the services offered by the home health care agency that you are planning to hire. This will help you have a firsthand opinion, as they might have used the in-home care services offered by the agency.