When is Home Care Helpful?

There are many ways that home care can be helpful for seniors and their family members.

Home care can help for short periods of time, for extended periods, or around-the-clock in certain circumstances. Here are the most common reasons families set up home care for a loved one.

Ways which home care is helpful

There are different ways which home care can be used. It can be used for a short period of time, for longer periods of time if needed or even for around the clock care. One way it’s useful to you is for recovery at home after a hospital stay. People respond better to treatment at home too after the hospital. So home care is helpful when a serious illness, major surgery, a heart attack, a stroke or another major health crisis happens. By having a home care professional there to assist you with your needs, you’ll receive the best support for your recovery at home.

Another way which home care may be needed is when you need assistance because of a chronic illness. The benefits of having home care are many. It will help you stay in your home instead of in an assisted living facility. Professional caregivers then will assist you with dressing, personal hygiene, doing daily errands, preparing meals and even doing light housekeeping.

In addition, after the death of a spouse, you may find homecare helpful if you’re living alone because you may want some companionship if you have difficulty leaving the home because of an illness. Or, a caregiver can assist you with preparing meals, getting you to your appointments on time and keeping you active and connected with your friends and community activities. Sometimes after the death of a spouse, a senior may withdraw or become overwhelmed by housekeeping and other household responsibilities. But homecare is there to get you through your difficulties, and afterward if you still want it, so that you can age in place.

Home care also offers respite care

If, for example, you were taking care of an elderly parent who has dementia or a chronic illness, it can consume you because of the time and energy involved. You have the love to give, but you’ve become physically and emotionally exhausted. You seem to spend all your time caregiving where you don’t have any time for yourself, or perhaps a family you’re raising. This can result in caregiver burnout, and you could end up not being much good to your parent or yourself.

Respite care is another aspect of in-home care to help you though. A professional caregiver who is educated in chronic illnesses or the problems dementia sufferers face can come to your home and give you a break. You can hire the caregiver for a few hours, for a day or a weekend; or even if you’re going on vacation. This gives you time to rest and recuperate from the stress of caregiving. You come back fresher and ready to take care of your Mom or Dad again. You don’t have to worry when you’re gone either because you know your parent is in safe hands.

When the end is near

When a loved one is nearing the end, home care employees can help hospice workers. The assistance and personal care offered during this difficult time families have found to be very helpful. Home care workers can provide emotional support and care when needed by the family members. A home care caregiver can also be there 24/7 if desired so that your loved won’t be alone in the final hours, as well as showing sensitivity and compassion. This is especially so once a bond has been established.

Home care can be helpful in so many ways when you or a loved one need it.

Schedule a free Care Consultation. During your Care Consult, we get to know you and your familyʼs needs. We work with you to develop a personalized Care Plan. Leave us your information, and we’ll contact you. Need to speak with someone right now? Call 941-746-8400

References:
https://www.joinhonor.com/home-care/home-care-101/when-home-care-helpful
http://accfamily.com/care-handbook/home-care-helpful/
https://www.seniorliving.org/lifestyles/home-care/