When it comes to caring for an older person, someone leaving hospital, or someone who has a disability, it can be difficult to know what resources are available to you. You may wonder if your loved one needs to enter a rehab facility, hospital, or nursing home or if they are eligible for home care services, allowing them to stay in familiar and comfortable surroundings.At ComForCare, we offer a range of flexible home care services to meet the needs of many people who could use a helping hand. If youre interested in learning whether home care could be right for your family, read on for some of the many ways we offer support in the home.In-Home Senior CareHome Care is a service that provides support for the day-to-day activities of living. Older adults who need a helping hand to stay on top of household duties, personal care, meal preparation, and similar activities are great candidates for home care services. An in-home caregiver can help older adults maintain their independence in the comfort and safety of a familiar space. Nearly 90% of adults over 65 want to age in place, staying in their homes and communities as long as possible. With in-home elderly care services, that dream can be a reality for many.Transitional CareWhen a loved one is moving from a hospital, rehabilitation center, or skilled nursing facility to home, providing a safe transition is crucial. Seniors are at an elevated risk of hospital readmission and other hazards after hospitalization. In fact, people ages 65 and over account for about 56% of 30-day readmissions after discharge from care facilities.  Transitional care, otherwise known as short-term services, can help support seniors during this critical time. ComForCares professional caregivers are advocates for their clients health, and they can:Assist with personal care, such as bathing and groomingHelp implement discharge instructions from doctorsPick up prescriptions and provide medication remindersHelp schedule and attend follow-up medical appointmentsReduce fall and injury risks with home safety recommendationsRespite Care & Short-Term CareSometimes, older adults who live at home receive the care they need from family members. While this arrangement can be wonderful, it can also be taxing on their loved ones. Up to 35% of family caregivers rate their health as fair or poor, which can lead to burnout. To ensure that you are providing the best possible care for your family member, you need time to take care of yourself!  Thats where respite and short-term care come in. Hiring a professional caregiver temporarily can give you the time you need to recharge, refresh, and resetwhether for a weeks vacation or just a weekend break. This service can also help provide a fresh perspective so you dont have to feel alone in the care and keeping of your loved one.Disability ManagementThough in-home care is most often associated with seniors, many adults with disabilities also need compassionate, hands-on care. Whether your loved ones disabilities are physical or cognitive, institutions cant always provide the kind of personalized one-on-one care that your family member needs.Advocates and researchers have seen the positive impact that home and community-based services make in the lives of people with disabilities. At ComForCare, our disability management services can help make that difference in your family members life. We provide care services including, but not limited to:Light housekeepingHelp with hygiene and incontinence careMeal preparationTransportation assistanceAlzheimer's and Dementia CareMany people believe that once an older person is diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia, they cant live at home anymore. However, with ComForCares unique approach, DementiaWise, we can give older adults the freedom to remain at home as long as possible. With flexible scheduling, personalized care, and meaningful activities that keep your loved one engaged, calm, happy and utilizing their remaining abilities, you can rest assured that your family member is living their best life, physically and mentally.Find the Best Home Care ServiceNow that you know who a good candidate for home care services is, its time to find the best team to look after your loved one. At ComForCare, we continually strive to provide the most compassionate, consistent and competent care to those who need it. With flexible care options suited to each individuals needs, well care for your loved one like family. ComForCare: Long or Short-Term Home Care with Joy and Dignity. If you have any questions, please call 720-575-5576.

When it comes time for your parent to get more assistance at home with cleaning, personal care, cooking, etc., you might be met with some resistance, which can be frustrating.  There are usually two main reasons older adults dont want extra help.  Caregiving (in-home care) services may be perceived as a transition from the known to the unknown. Your parent could see this transition as irreversible; caregiving will happen whether they are ready or not and that their abilities will quickly decline until they are entirely dependent on someone else. These feelings can be overwhelming.  As the adult child or caregiver, how can you inspire them to accept help? Frame caregiving services as a trial; convey that if they dont like it, they can try a different caregiver or try something else. Emphasize this and repeat it often. Continue to encourage your parent that they can remain as independent as possible if they have in-home care. Another approach is to compromise: instead of eight hours of caregiving services each day, try a few hours a week.  The second major reason is that many seniors dont feel the need to fritter their life savings away on expensive care options, while the adult child feels that in-home care is the best use of their savings. Explain that their savings and caregiving services are to ensure good quality of life and dignity as they age. Those saved dollars, in other words, are fulfilling their intended purpose.   How to Become Your Parents CaregiverThere may be times where you need to step in as your parents caregiver. Planning, communication and inclusion are key to making the transition easier.   When forming a plan for caregiving, try to stick to your loved ones current routine to ease them into the adjustment. Dont forget to communicate the plan, and its occasional required deviation, often and openly. Always include your parent, provide options and choices, and allow them to make the final decision if possible.  The golden rule is to be involved only in ways that enhance and enable your parent to preserve their remaining abilities and intervene only in ways that provide support as they lose abilities. For example, if your older loved one finds walking difficult, instead of bringing everything to them, add accessibility options such as handrails and encourage exercise and fall prevention strategies to strengthen their muscles and balance. As your parent ages, you may need to increase your duties as their primary caregiver. You may need to gauge your own comfort level with certain tasks, as well as your overall burnout level. For example, you may not feel comfortable helping your parent with showering. This is where professional respite care comes in. This allows you to retain the position as the primary caregiver and receive help from a home care company. Respite care is most effective when used to unburden the adult child; removing tasks and worries so you can focus on the special moments and deepen the connection you have with your loved one. Getting your parent to accept care is achievable with proper expectation setting, giving them choices, and keeping them involved in the decisions as you go. If you have questions about home care, please review our Resources page or call with any questions 970-575-5576. Our goal is to help seniors and their families live their best lives possible.

Making the decision about senior care for a loved one can be difficult. Not only do you have to determine that care is necessaryyou then have to decide what kind of care to pursue. Usually, when its no longer safe or possible for an older person to take care of themselves alone, the decision comes down to two options: home care or assisted living. But how do you decide?Whether home care or assisted living is best isnt a one-size-fits-all decision. Its important to take your loved ones needs and their own feelings about the matter into account. But home care may be a more realistic option than you thinkeven if your family member struggles with dementia or another illness. Lets talk about some of the considerations to make when choosing between home care and assisted living, and the benefits that home care can offer.A Few Things to ConsiderHow Much Care Does My Loved One Need?One of the major factors in your decision will be the level of care your loved one needs. Its important to be realistic about what they need help with and how involved you, as a family caregiver, can be. Their needs can range from assistance with activities of daily living to emotional supportso take several key areas of life into account as you assess:Medical needs: will your loved one require extensive, specialized medical care?Personal care needs: do they need help bathing, grooming, and/or dressing?Social needs: are they in need of extra companionship or transportation to social engagements?Cognitive health: will they need specialized dementia care?Mobility & safety: is their home safe from fall risks and easy for them to navigate?At ComForCare, were here to help our clients come to terms with these needs and will recommend the most appropriate level of care suited for them.The Difference Between Home Care & Assisted Living CareIn-home caregivers come to the clients home as often or as little as needed, from a few times per week to 24 hours a day. They provide personalized, non-medical care to their clients that can grow and change as their needs change. In doing so, they allow seniors the opportunity to live at home and in the communities they love, which a majority of people over 65 prefer.At an assisted living facility, clients live on-site in private bedrooms or small apartments with shared common areas. Many facilities offer a range of services, so finding one to fit your loved ones needs is crucial if you choose to go this route. While the care and level of involvement is not as flexible or tailored, this option can be better for those who require a great deal of skilled medical supervision and care.Benefits of Choosing At-Home Senior Care ServicesMaintain IndependenceIndependence means different things to different people, but its a key component of a persons identity and dignity. For some, it means remaining in the community theyve spent so much time cultivating. For others, it means maintaining their beloved home and the possessions theyve collected over the years. Home care gives them the ability to stay independent and feel in control of their golden years while getting the assistance they need. Research suggests that older adults who have their needs met through home care report a higher overall satisfaction with life!Caregiver MatchingOne of the many benefits of home care is the one-on-one attention that a home caregiver brings to the table. At ComForCare, we go above and beyond to ensure that our caregivers are matched with clients that they can build meaningful relationships with. We dont just assign caregivers at random. Instead, we have a dedicated process for aligning your loved ones needs, preferences, and personality with the right person. Relief for Family CaregiversIf youve been caring for a family member, you know that it can take quite the emotional and physical toll. Home care allows you to focus more on your relationship with the person you love while we take care of other responsibilities. Our caregivers are highly trained not only to provide daily assistance around the house but to coordinate care, provide transportation, prepare meals, and so much more. Whether you need one day of respite care or a more long-term plan, were here to help you be the best caregiver and family member you can be.Safety, Comfort, and PerspectiveAmong the many services that home caregivers provide is safetyand with it, peace of mind. At the very earliest stage of your relationship, your caregiver will perform a comprehensive safety check of the home, minimizing fall risks, assessing accessibility needs, and more. And because home care is so personalized and one-on-one, your caregiver will be able to watch your loved ones condition over time, looking out for any signs that medical intervention or extra care is necessary.Choosing the Best Home Care AgencyWhen choosing a home care agency, its important to seek one that offers flexibility to meet your needs and schedule, sets a high bar of excellence for its caregivers, and offers transparent, honest, and compassionate communication every step of the way. At ComForCare, we have over 20 years of experience doing just that, and we strive to meet and exceed these expectations every single day.If youre not sure whether home care is right for your family, set up a consultation with your local ComForCare representative. Well help you assess your needs and provide personalized recommendations to get the ideal care for the person you love.ComForCare: Here to Support You Every Step of the Way. Call for more information, 720-575-5576.