When to Consider Home Care

Author

FirstLight Home Care

Posted on

Jan 20, 2022

Book/Edition

Nebraska - Eastern Region

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If you traveled home for the holidays and spent some time with your elderly parents, you may have noticed they need a little extra assistance at home. Although it can often be difficult to know when your loved one is no longer able to live independently, there are some tell-tale signs.

Perhaps their home isn't as clean as it used to be. Or they have expired food in the fridge or pantry. Maybe their personal hygiene has gone by the wayside. Or they have some new dents and scratches on their car.
We've collected a few of our most-read blog posts that we think are helpful for family caregivers who are considering hiring a professional caregiver for their aging parent. Many adult children wonder when its time to consider home care for a loved one. If you find yourself stopping over more often to check on your aging parents or asking a friend or neighbor to stop by, it might be the time to look at in-home care options.

Learn some of the most common signs it might be time for home care. In-home care can provide vital support Maybe your parent needs short-term assistance. Temporary in-home care can help individuals who are recovering from illness, injury or surgery, as well as after a hospital stay. This short-term care can last anywhere from several weeks to a few months, and it is typically provided in someone's home. This care can provide a long-term boost to what your loved one needs most comfort, confidence and peace of mind.
Learn how temporary home care can support your family.
Find the best possible caregiver

Doing the proper research to ensure your parents are taken care of as they age physically, emotionally and financially will help give you peace of mind in the future. While researching care for your parents, take time to look for a caregiver who is patient, compassionate, detail-oriented, and present. Youll be able to rest easy knowing that the person you love the most is being taken care of by someone who has their best interest and wellbeing at the forefront.
If you are a family caregiver, keep these in mind while researching home care for your parents.

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Senior Safety at Home: Creating a Secure Living Environment

Ensuring the safety of seniors at home is paramount for their well-being and independence. Creating a secure living environment involves a comprehensive approach that addresses various aspects of their daily life. Begin by conducting a thorough assessment of the home, identifying potential hazards such as loose rugs, uneven flooring, or cluttered pathways. Installing handrails in key areas, such as staircases and bathrooms, can provide valuable support and prevent accidents. Adequate lighting throughout the house is crucial; consider motion-activated lights to illuminate pathways and rooms, reducing the risk of falls. Additionally, make necessary modifications in the kitchen, such as lowering countertop heights for easier access and installing nonslip flooring to enhance traction. Regular communication with seniors about their comfort and safety concerns is essential, fostering a collaborative effort in maintaining a secure home environment.Incorporating technology into the home can also significantly contribute to senior safety. Smart home devices, such as medical alert systems or sensors that detect unusual movements, can provide an added layer of security. Consider implementing a video monitoring system to keep an eye on key areas of the home, providing both caregivers and seniors with peace of mind. By addressing these physical and technological aspects, we can create an environment that not only promotes the independence of seniors but also assures their safety, allowing them to age in place with confidence and dignity.

Who Is Eligible for Home Care Services?

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.

How to Get Your Parent to Accept Help at Home

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.

Local Services By This Author

FirstLight Home Care Omaha

Non-Medical 2717 South 88th Street, Omaha, Nebraska, 68124

At FirstLight Home Care WE CHANGE LIVES EVERYDAY! We help people live safely, independently, with dignity and joy in the place they call home. FirstLight Home Care provides non-medical full companion and personal care services in Omaha to those who need a little more assistance.I understand the fears and anxieties of my clients because I, too, was a caregiver to my mom and dad when they fell ill. Caring for them sparked a passion within me. Today, I am driven to make sure other families do not have to struggle like I did.My mission? To provide peace of mind for the whole family, listening to their individual needs.At the end of the day, I get to help a wife be a wife, a son be a son, a daughter be a daughter and a friend be a friend. I help people get theirfamilies back. This business has been the greatest gift in the world to me.' Jaye Firmature McCoy, Owner