Home Health and In-Home Care is a Solution for Family Caregivers
Most people are happy to be able to help an older parent or other loved one in need. But it can be difficult for people, especially when the older parent is reluctant to accept help or make changes.
There are 40.4 million unpaid caregivers of adults ages 65 and older in the United States. Of that group, nine-in-ten are providing care for an aging relative or parent, according to new data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Trying to help an older parent tends to bring up personal issues that people haven’t or aren’t prepared to address. In addition to providing support for their aging loved one, many people must continue to work their own jobs and continue raising their own families while figuring out their role as a caregiver.
Home Health Care provides support and care to your elderly loved one as well as to the families who have been providing care to their elderly loved ones.
Home health care services cover a range of care needs including:
- Medications and reminders
- Daily Living Activities such as personal care
- Care Coordination
- Escorting to Doctor’s appointments
- Meal Planning
- Grocery Shopping
- Home Safety Assessments
In-Home Care is a Solution for Families Providing Care for an Elderly Loved One
When family members provide care directly for their elderly loved one, they don’t always see changes in their elderly parent, for example, that may require more care. Having Home Health Care can play a key role in identifying changes in loved one which may necessitate a different care plan and/or services.
Some situations which can necessitate changes in care or more intensive health care include:
- An older person starting to develop age related cognitive changes including dementia, such as Alzheimer’s or a related condition.
- Advanced age, which can eventually bring on general frailty and loss of physical strength.
- A fall, stroke, or other health emergency.
- Recovering from a surgery, even a routine surgery and any resulting hospitalization, especially if the older person experiences complications.
- Advanced chronic illnesses that limit daily function and/or cause frequent hospitalizations, such as COVID, advanced heart failure, advanced chronic pulmonary disease, or a progressive neurological condition.
For families which provide care for an elderly loved one there are many things to consider when providing care for an elderly family member. Maintaining balance within your own life is key to being able to bring your best to the elderly family member you are caring for.
Some considerations to keep in mind where there can be a considerable impact when providing care for an elderly loved one.
- Intensity of any medical situations needed and the amount of time spent by the caregiver with the family member receiving care.
- The amount of time spent with medical professionals
- A family’s legal permissions to assist with medical issues and decisions, housing, finance etc.
- Relationship dynamics (between a parent and child for example) can affect stress in a care giving situation.
- Involving the elderly family member in decisions as much as possible to maintain a sense of autonomy and best possible quality of life.
Self Care, Aging-in-Place and Home Care
Helping an older parent is rewarding but can easily become a source of chronic stress. Family care givers often end up neglecting their own well-being and health when caring for an aging parent or family member.
Home care can provide services and solutions with multiple options and be tailored to your particular needs.