How Home Care Helps The Elderly Live Healthy And Independent Lives

Elderly parents who need special care may not want to leave their residence and move into a nursing home. In such a case, home care is the optimal solution.
Health care aides are responsible for helping the elderly in accomplishing their day-to-day activities. For instance, your elderly parent may need help while going to the bathroom, taking a bath and getting dressed. Home care aides have gone through proper training to help senior citizens perform these daily activities, activities which have become troublesome with age.
Caring for the elderly is not limited to helping in the grooming department; home care aides also help seniors run the household. Keeping the house clean and secure is something the elderly may no longer be able to do well, so this responsibility is now in the hands of the caregivers. Simple housekeeping tasks may also be done by the aides including laundry, dusting and other basic chores. The job description of the home care aides may also be adjusted to cover the extent of activities in which the elderly need help, such as buying groceries and attending senior activity centers.
A good home care service will be able to find the right aide who can accommodate all the needs of your senior parent. Special dietary requirements, religious preferences and any other requirements will all be taken into account during the hiring process. The aide will also follow any instructions made by the senior’s doctor, especially when preparing meals and reminding them to take their medications in a timely manner.
An elderly individual does not simply need someone who can cook, clean and drive for him or her. More than anything else, a senior desires good companionship. Having a person to talk to and do things with is very valuable for a senior. A home caregiver who knows how to listen to stories and problems goes a long way in helping the an elderly person feel worthy. This is perhaps the most valuable requirement to look for in a caregiver for your senior parent.
A home care aide also monitors the patient’s daily routine. Maintaining a record of a senior’s progress is vital in the treatment of the senior. By knowing that the elderly client does well in his or her daily activities, the children also worry less. When the patient deviates from the usual activities or shows no signs of progress, the aide can immediately report to the doctor or the children.
Caregivers provide the elderly with much-needed help in their daily activities, but they are not legally allowed to perform any skilled nursing services. If your parent suffers from a serious health condition and requires the help of medical professionals, then it is better to look for a registered nurse that can provide home care. Consult the doctor and ask whether a home nurse is necessary. If your parent simply needs help in preparing meals, daily activities and reminders to take medications, then home care aides can do the job just fine.
A home care service aims to help elderly people retain independence and continue their life in their own home. These days, it is not uncommon for elderly parents to choose to live away from their children. With a proper home care service, it makes it possible for them to live healthy and safe lives even without direct help from their families.

Home care aides are properly screened and certified to ensure that they know how to deal with and care for elderly people. Knowing that your elderly parent is in good hands while away from you helps a lot in easing anxiety. Even if you are unable to live with and take care of your parent yourself, you can feel safe and confident by hiring a trusted and reliable home care service.

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