Caring for a senior loved one involves making many delicate decisions together. At some point, your efforts to provide care for your loved one might need some revising, especially when you’re doing it all alone or your parent’s needs change substantially. When the time comes, consider these seven reasons to hire a professional in-home caregiver.
1. Create a Personalized Care Plan
Other senior care options, such as assisted living, often require following a rigid schedule that might not be necessary for active older adults. With in-home care, your family doesn’t have to worry about following visitation hours, and your loved one can come and go as he or she pleases without stressing over curfews. Your loved one can also avoid paying for services he or she doesn’t need just yet. Having a caregiver drop in a few times a week may be easier on your loved one’s budget compared to moving to a full-time senior care home.
2. Eliminate Constant Worries
Your loved one might be strong and independent, but that doesn’t always stop your worries. You may have valid concerns about a medication mishap, especially after your loved one begins a new health care regimen. Or you may dread the thought of your parent falling when getting up at night. Having someone looking after your loved one can give you peace of mind.
3. Get Help with Sundowning
Certain times of the day might feel unmanageable when your loved one has a cognitive health condition that alters his or her behavior, such as dementia. Many seniors with dementia experience a downshift in mood as the day wears on. You can arrange for in-home care during the times of the day when your loved one could use a distraction from his or her anxiety or frustration.
Caring for a senior with dementia can be challenging for family caregivers. Luckily, there is Dementia Care Ashburn families can rely on. Professional dementia caregivers help seniors with dementia stay safe and comfortable at home by preventing wandering, providing cognitive stimulation, and assisting with household chores.
4. Stop Shuffling Schedules
Few things can make you rearrange your schedule like a loved one who suddenly falls ill or needs a ride to the doctor. With an in-home caregiver on your side, you don’t have to cancel your annual physical exam just because your loved one needs one. In-home caregivers can provide transportation to and from important doctor visits. Even better, a home caregiver can serve as an advocate and communicate with you about any changes in your loved one’s health.
5. Provide Mental Stimulation
Seniors who sit at home all day get bored, and the lack of social interaction can cause them to lose vital communication and memory functions. A professional caregiver can provide companionship and keep your loved one engaged with fun brain games and conversation.
6. Find Assistance with Overnight Care
Many older adults develop a need for overnight care as they age. When you and other family members work or have other pressing responsibilities, it might not be feasible for you to get up and down every night. A professional caregiver can stay with your loved one overnight to help with things such as getting up to use the restroom, which increases safety.
Seniors who want to remain healthy as they age can benefit in a variety of ways when they receive professional homecare services. Assisting Hands Home Care is here to help your loved one accomplish daily tasks, prevent illness, and focus on living a healthier and more fulfilling life.
7. Spend More Quality Time Together
No one should have to make the choice between doing household chores and enjoying a friendly chat with his or her loved one. If you dread visiting your loved one because of the endless list of chores, it’s time to hire a caregiver. Hiring in-home care services can give you a break from the more tedious aspects of your role as a family caregiver. Being able to enjoy hearing a memory from your loved one’s history or doing a project together is priceless, and carving out more time can help you enjoy every precious moment you have with your loved one.
In Ashburn, in-home care agencies can be a great boon to seniors. With the help of the caregivers at Assisting Hands Home Care, your aging loved one can lead a happier and healthier life. Our caregivers encourage seniors to eat nutritious foods, exercise and socialize regularly, and focus on other lifestyle factors that increase life expectancy. To schedule a free in-home consultation, give us a call at 703-423-0708 today.
