In-Home Care Options For Aging Family Members

 

You may be one of many people who have come to the difficult realization that your beloved family member is no longer able to live independently. Your senior relative may have trouble with day-to-day tasks or remembering to take medications. As a close family member, you may feel responsible for care but might not have the time or skills necessary to provide in-home care. Assisted living facilities are not the only option. If you're interested in senior home care Massachusetts, consider the following information as you decide whether or not it is right for your loved one.

Benefits of Staying Home

Many seniors find it stressful to move to assisted living facilities. Some seniors may still be living with a spouse or other family member in the home. Some are concerned about being separated from pets or memories of children growing up in the home. Seniors who do not want to go to an assisted living facility may be happier, less stressed, and healthier with in-home care.

Available Services

In-home care includes transportation to doctor’s appointments, meal preparation, companionship, and light housework. Caregivers can also help with medication schedules, bathing, grooming, mobility, and toileting. If the senior suffers from dementia, a caregiver will ensure the person in his or her care does not wander away from home.

Costs of In-Home Care

Some in-home care programs are federally funded and may be covered by Medicaid. These programs could end up costing less than an assisted living facility.

Familiar Family Routines

With help from an in-home care giver, families can continue with familiar routines. Oftentimes, the caregiver becomes like part of the family and a valued companion to the senior. If a loved one is having trouble caring for himself or herself but does not want to go to an assisted living facility, in-home care may be the right choice.

Facing the fact that a loved one may no longer be able to remain independent is difficult for all parties involved. For many families, in-home assistance is an ideal option due its mix of professional care and familiar surroundings.

Staying At Home As You Age

Staying at Home As You Age

 The aging of America is well underway. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there were 40.3 million Americans aged 65 or older at the time of the last census in 2010. The continued graying of America will very soon lead to a new demographic milestone. By 2035, older adults will outnumber children for the first time. The Census Bureau predicts that the number of people aged 65 and over is expected to hit 78.0 million.

 

Aging in Place

Not surprisingly, many Americans strongly desire to stay in their own homes as they get older. This is called “aging in place.” Aging Americans that are concerned about personal safety and other daily life tasks now have viable options that make staying at home and living independently possible. Successful alternatives to assisted living centers and nursing homes do exist. Some of the home care services Massachusetts offers include adult foster care (AFC) and other care that coordinates meal prep, errands and shopping, socializing and housekeeping. There are both non-medical services and skilled medical services available.

 

Non-Medical Home Care

 People who wish to age in place have varying levels of need when it comes to the services that will allow the individual to remain in his or her home. Non-medical care primarily consists of custodial care rendered by a home health aide (e.g., bathing, dressing, and eating); homemaker services (e.g., grocery shopping, cooking, cleaning, and laundry); and companionship services.

 

Skilled Medical Care at Home

By contrast, in-home medical care consists of actual home health services given to patients by medically trained and licensed professionals as an alternative to receiving skilled care in an assisted living facility or a nursing home. This can include a wide variety of services, including monitoring vital signs, wound care, administering medications, blood work, and a host of other possibilities.

 

There are a wealth of home-based services that can allow you to age in place in the comfort and familiarity of your own home. Doing so can ensure that you have the peace of mind that comes with living in a warm, familiar environment throughout your life.

What To Look For In A Home Health Care Worker

When hiring a home health care worker to take care of a loved one, you naturally will want to check references and do a background check. However, there are other things you must look for when deciding on the right person to care for your mother, father, grandmother, or grandfather.

Compassion

Although our elderly relatives want to stay in their own homes, they may feel like someone coming in to take care of them is invading their territory. A home health care worker must be compassionate, understanding, and have the ability to communicate well with your family member. Listening to their concerns and a respectful attitude goes a long way toward creating a good relationship with your loved one. A company that can provide an in home caregiver for your loved one is Arcadia Home Care & Staffing.


You will want to observe the home health care worker when he or she is interacting with your elderly relative to ensure that they are comfortable with each other. Sometimes, a situation may arise that can be very challenging. Many elderly patients can be quite demanding, and certain illnesses can cause them to be somewhat cranky. The home health care worker you choose must be patient and calm even in these situations.

Dependability

Is the person you have hired to take care of your loved one dependable? Do they show up on time and stay later if needed? It is hard to maintain a strict schedule when it comes to taking care of the elderly or someone recovering from an illness. For example, perhaps you stay with your loved one a few hours each day. One day you are required to work late so you may need the caregiver to stay later.

Always check the credentials of someone you hire to take care of your loved one. This is particularly important if your elderly relative has an illness or condition such as diabetes, heart disease, emphysema, or something else that requires special care or medication. Anyone that is in charge of their care should have the medical knowledge and skills to properly handle their needs.