If your parents’ needs have changed, you may be considering in-home care. Whether that’s finding help on your own or going through a trusted agency, understanding your options for in-home care is essential.
A new study about aging seniors found that for those who want to age in place, in-home care is the most popular option. While 91% of seniors prefer to continue to live at home, most are critically unprepared to manage their own care and have not done much research on what their options are and how to access care quickly.
The type of care your parent receives with in-home care as well as the frequency will change as they age and their health evolves. So when you’re looking for an in-home care provider, it’s important to find a partner who has the depth and breadth of skills that will support your loved one at every stage.
Companion Care
If your parent is healthy but needs occasional help, companion care is a great choice. It can also be valuable if your healthy parent has been dealing with loneliness. A companion caregiver can provide much-needed emotional support.
Companion Care services include:
- Shopping and errands
- Escort to doctor appointments
- Hospital/facility sitting
- Assistance with outpatient and follow-up care
- Emotional support
Home Care
If your parents can still take care of basic tasks, but find themselves overwhelmed with getting housework done, then Home Care will be helpful.
These services might entail an aid coming to the house when you need a day off, or providing your parent daily help with chores and home upkeep because they no longer have the energy to do so.
Home Care include:
- Meal Preparation
- Light Housekeeping
- Assistance with Hobbies
- Family Relief
- Laundry
Personal Home Care
Personal Home Care will help your parents with day-to-day tasks and will be the most hands-on level of care. Having a qualified professional can make all the difference when your parent needs assistance with Personal Home Care.
Personal Home Care include:
- Assistance with bathing, dressing, grooming, and toileting
- Medication reminders
- Safety supervision
- Assistance with eating and preparing food
Memory Care
In-home care can also help your parent if they are suffering from Alzheimer’s and memory loss.
Memory care will have similar services to Personal Home Care support. Depending on your parent’s memory and mental state, they may need constant support.
Memory care services can provide this level of extensive support while keeping your parent’s mind stimulated and preventing frustration from the disease.
Services include:
- Customized memory care plan
- Stimulating activities
- Social support
In-Home Care vs Facility
A common question children of aging parents ask is if they should get in-home care or consider a senior living center or live-in facility. Understanding why most seniors prefer in-home care and how it differs from a traditional facility will give you peace of mind when making a decision.
In-home care provides a familiar environment
In-home care allows your parent to age in a familiar environment. And if they have memory loss or are attached to their home and surrounding community, then entering an unfamiliar place may cause emotional distress and confusion.
Aging in place while receiving high quality of professional care, allows them to remain comfortable, avoiding disruptions and retaining independence – all of which lead to a more satisfying quality of life.
In-home care is flexible
Another benefit of in-home care is that it creates flexibility for your loved one and for you. Nursing homes can often be rigid with their structure and how they care for their patients. With in-home care on the other hand, you’ll have an opportunity to co-create an ideal care plan that works for your parent and gives you the support you need as a caregiver, too.
Staying Independent
It’s no secret that maintaining a feeling of independence is important to most of us. In-home care gives your parent the independence that is so crucial to their happiness. And when you craft a care plan around their needs, your parents can do whatever tasks they’re still capable of while being in familiar surroundings.
Choosing the right in-home care partner
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by finding reliable, high quality in-home care for your parents, then the right partner can ease the workload and help make the transition easier for your loved ones and for you.
At Golden Care, we take great pride in creating customized care plans for our clients. We only work with licensed caregivers and professionals that strive for excellence and truly care about the people they serve.
Our first step is talking with you to determine what your needs are. Together, we’ll build a care plan for your loved one, all while working within your budget.
And we don’t stop there. We’ll continue to follow up with you and your loved one after we’ve placed them to make certain that they’re receiving the respect and high-quality care they deserve.
Call today to schedule a complimentary in-home assessment.
