Wondering whether home care services are right for you, your aging parents or others who are near and dear to you? Unsure if your loved ones have a need for home care help, and what kind of help is available from a home health care company?
Here at Nurse Next Door, we know that it can be difficult to know who’s eligible for home care services. The simple answer is that home health care can help anyone from new moms to seniors, as well as adults who live with disabilities, are recovering from surgery or illness, or need at-home hospice care or palliative care.
5 Signs Your Loved One May Need Home Care Services
If your parent, relative or close family friend is starting to slow down, it might be time to talk to them about getting a little extra help around the house. This can be a difficult conversation for seniors who may fear losing their independence, so be sure to let them know that home care services are designed to support older adults and keep them in control as they age.
Here’s five signs that your loved one might have a need for home care services:
1) They’re struggling to maintain their personal hygiene
If you’ve noticed a decline in your loved one’s self-care habits, it could be because they are struggling to perform basic self-care skills due to declining vision, a loss of mobility, or the onset of dementia. Seniors also often avoid bathing because they fear falling on slippery, hard surfaces in the bathroom, which is a completely valid concern. Having a compassionate, professional caregiver on hand can make all the difference when it comes to helping seniors complete activities of daily living such as grooming, bathing and dressing.
2) They’ve lost interest in cooking for themselves
Let’s face it — cooking at home can be a real challenge at any age, and that’s especially true for older adults who might feel like there’s no point fussing over a meal when they’re dining alone. Unfortunately, this can lead to a number of health problems for seniors who need to eat a healthy, balanced diet in order to maintain their independence and stave off nutritional deficiencies. A caregiver can help seniors go grocery shopping and assist with meal preparation in a way that’s fun and engaging.
3) They’re sad and lonely
While the media often portrays retirement as a time that’s filled with fun, family and friends, the reality is that many seniors are lonely, sad and isolated. This might be due to the loss of a spouse, the death of their siblings and close friends, or because they’re grieving their loss of independence. Whatever the reason is, adding home health care services to a senior’s life can go a long way towards helping the senior feel supported, valued and appreciated. Nurse Next Door’s Perfect Match caregivers are matched with seniors who share similar interests, so seniors don’t just have a caregiver, they’ll truly enjoy their time with their caregiver.
4) They’re having difficultly keeping up with household chores
Taking care of a household can be a lot of work, and for many older adults, the idea of having to manage all of the little jobs that need to be done around the house on a daily or weekly basis can feel overwhelming. While neighbors, friends and family members can often lend a hand, the reality is that it’s tough to keep up with caregiver duties when you’re trying to manage your own family, career and health. Home care services can include light housekeeping in order to maintain a safe, clean home for seniors to enjoy in a way that’s respectful and dignified.
5) They have new or progressive health problems
New or worsening health problems can make it difficult for seniors to remain safe in their own homes. Many older adults develop difficulties with mobility, their hearing, eyesight and balance, and these issues all increase the risk of seniors suffering from falls and accidents. Hiring a home health care worker can make all the difference when it comes to older adults being able to age in place safely at home, as these caregivers have the skills and experience it takes to help manage a wide variety of diseases, chronic conditions and acute illnesses in the safety and comfort of a seniors’ home.
When speaking with your loved one about home care services, it’s important to know that most seniors have difficulty admitting when they need help. Be sure to focus on how a professional caregiver can play a critical role in keeping your loved one safe and secure while enjoying the familiarity of their own home, neighborhood and community.
Another thing to keep in mind is that when compared to residential care services such as a retirement home or independent living facility, home care services are usually far more affordable. Bringing in a caregiver often costs just a fraction of what it does to move into a senior living facility, and that can make it easier for seniors to stretch their retirement budget.
Want To Learn More About Home Care Services in Your Area?
Whether you’re still weighing the pros and cons of home care services for yourself or a loved one, or you’re ready to hire a home health care worker right away, give us a call here at Nurse Next Door.
Our friendly, compassionate caregivers are carefully selected, screened and background-checked for your peace of mind, and we take the time to match each client with their ideal home health care worker through our unique Perfect Match program. We can provide as much or as little support as you and your family want, and we can adapt our services if your need for home care services changes over time.
Needing Home Care? Give us a call today toll-free at 1-877-588-8609!
