Do you have a family member who can’t easily contribute to household activities like doing the dishes or taking out the trash? Maybe you have an older relative living with you who needs your help with more personal tasks like getting dressed, bathing, or going shopping. If these (or similar) situations apply to you, you may find yourself asking what is vital support home care? It could be the answer to all of your problems, and the same time might be right to get your loved one some in-home care.
In-home care is a service that sends a caregiver to your home on a regular basis to assist your family member with daily activities. For example, they might prepare meals, do laundry, tidy their room, help them bathe, and take them to appointments. Although you can hire people through the state, you can also get paid to care for your family member.
Does your loved one need home care? Here are several indications.
- They fall frequently or are at risk
Falls are a serious risk for older adults and they happen frequently. According to data published by the CDC, there are around 36 million falls each year, which result in 32,000 deaths.
One of the easiest ways to prevent falls is to eliminate the need for your loved one to do everything on their own. For example, each time they have to stand at the kitchen sink to prepare a meal, they’re at risk of falling. Likewise, each time they have to carry laundry to the washer, the risk of falling is present, especially if they need to get up and down steps.
Getting in-home care will cover many of the tasks your family member wants to do on their own, but shouldn’t be attempting.
If they are showing heightened signs of fall risk, and it is affecting other parts of their life, for instance they are having memory issues, then it may be time to approach putting them in a facility that provides memory care in Waterbury, CT, or elsewhere, so they can get targeted help. You can find that one issues leads into another, so it is best to get that stopped as soon as possible, and this choice is essential if they keep showing signs of serious problems that home care cannot keep on top of.
- You can’t help as much as you’d like
Just because you live with your family member doesn’t mean you’re available all the time to help. Don’t let guilt prevent you from hiring a caregiver. You don’t have to do it all. In fact, it’s better if you don’t because you’ll end up with severe burnout.
Whether you’re working a full-time job, taking care of kids, or just have a busy life, getting in-home care for your relative is a great solution. If you can’t provide all the help they need, a caregiver will fill in the gaps.
- Your loved one spends time home alone
It’s not a good situation when an elderly relative is home alone during the day when you know they’re susceptible to falls or they aren’t self-sufficient. Granted, you may not have a choice about leaving the house, but each time you do, they’re at risk.
When you hire an in-home caregiver from a company offering home care services Philadelphia, or elsewhere more relevant, you can go to work knowing they’re taken care of and you won’t have to worry.
- They don’t have big medical needs
If your loved one doesn’t have major medical needs, in-home care will be helpful. With some exceptions (based on the state), most caregivers can’t administer medication or even change bandages. Without a license, they can’t even open a bottle of pills or dispense medication into a weekly pillbox.
- You don’t have anyone else to help
Do you live alone with your loved one? Are you the only one in the family who can help them? If you’re not trading off caregiving duties with other people, you’re probably doing too much work. Having someone to help out with even small tasks will ensure your relative gets the care they need.
- They’re adamant against living in a care facility
Many people loathe the idea of moving into a care facility and will fight you all the way. If you control their finances, you get to make the decision, but at a great cost to their mental wellbeing, not to mention your relationship.
If your relative needs help but refuses to live in a care facility, your only other option is to get in-home caregiving. This is a good option if your loved one is still somewhat mobile, or can be lifted and transferred easily. Ensuring that their home aligns with their specific needs is vital. For example, properly measure hospital bed dimensions if you are considering buying one for your loved one to determine accessibility within the bedroom. If these things can’t be achieved, caregiving may not be enough.
They won’t wear a “life alert” type of device
There are several companies that make wearable devices that call 911 automatically when the button is pressed. These are designed to be used if someone falls and can’t get up or gets stuck somewhere. When a loved one refuses to wear one of these devices, it makes it harder to leave them alone, even for a short shopping trip to the grocery store. In this case, it helps to hire a caregiver to stay with them or even do the shopping for you.
Is in-home caregiving right for you?
If you need more help caring for your relative, consider getting in-home care. They’ll be taken care of and you won’t have to stress about meeting their needs.
