In addition to peace of mind, in-home care providers can deliver a wide range of services, working with seniors and their families to create care plans that meet their specific needs. These individual care plans allow seniors the opportunity to age in place, safely and securely. In-home care services provide support to help preserve seniors’ dignity and independence as well.

Below is a listing of typical in-home services. There may not be an immediate need for all of these services now, but the great thing about in-home care is that it offers plenty of options that can be added or modified as needs change — all in the comfort of home.

Companionship & Care Services

• Conversation and companionship: provide seniors social contact at mealtime or other moments of the day to enhance health, happiness and quality of life
• Meal preparation: help seniors maintain good nutrition for healthier living
• Light housekeeping: vacuuming, dusting, sweeping and mopping floors, cleaning bathrooms and kitchens, taking out the trash, straightening rooms, organizing closets and drawers, cleaning interior windows that can be reached without a ladder
• Errand services: picking up prescriptions and going to the post office
• Grocery shopping: either with or without the client
• Respite care: relieve family members who are assisting with the care of their loved ones — this allows time to run errands, go shopping or get much-needed rest
• Medication reminders: in-home caregivers cannot administer medications, but can remind the client to take medications and assist in opening medication containers and reading labels
• Grooming and dressing guidance: buttoning clothing, tying shoes and putting on socks
• Incidental transportation: doctor appointments, barbershops, beauty salons, shopping, wherever the client likes or needs to go
• Laundry services: washing, drying, ironing and putting things away
• Recreational activities: card and board games, a walk in the park, crafts, hobbies, and outings to church and other favorite places to help seniors stay active in mind, body and spirit
• Mail assistance and organization: separate junk mail from important mail and let seniors know when bills are due
• Periodic review and communication with family members: provide updates on their loved one, answer any concerns or redefine services that may be needed
• In-home safety devices: monitor seniors’ safety when they are home alone and enable them to quickly summon help with the push of a button in an emergency

Personal Care Services

• Bathing: help seniors maintain proper hygiene and refresh their sense of well-being
• Mobility assistance: promote activity and exercise for a more healthful lifestyle as well as improved mood, decreased stress and increased mental alertness
• Transferring and positioning seniors: help maintain functional activity; relieve pressure areas on the skin; reduce atrophy and stiffening of muscles; and promote proper breathing, digestion and elimination
• Toileting and incontinence: sensitively help seniors maintain dignity as they manage with a loss of independence
• Oral hygiene: prevent bad breath, tooth decay and gum disease, plus assist in prevention of other diseases
• Feeding and special diet and meal preparation: make certain seniors get the proper nutrition to maintain good health and control medical conditions

In-home care providers can offer specialized assistance as well. This includes care for hospice patients and their families, as well as individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia-related conditions.

The discussion of senior care with aging parents and close relatives is a difficult conversation to have. It can be uncomfortable for all parties involved, but it is necessary to ensure the well being of a loved one as they grow older. There are a host of factors to consider when beginning such talks that will affect the entire family.

Timing is Everything

When to have the senior care conversation is always difficult to determine. It is honestly never to early. Rather than waiting until the senior’s health is deteriorating, do it when they are of sound mind and body. This assures them that they have had some say in what the latter stages of their life will look like. Many caregivers and family members have experienced resentment from their seniors because they feel as though they have no control over their own lives. If they are a included in an early conversation, this ensures their input.

Location Matters

Where the conversation takes place matters. The atmosphere should never be intimidating where the loved one will feels as though the family is ganging up on them. It should be calm, and in a family-oriented place such as someone’s home or a private venue.

Choose a Leader

Someone has to lead the pack. The family should select a point person to plan and lead the discussion. This decision may be the most difficult for some families, especially in the case of a parent with more than one child. A pre-talk among the people closes in relation to the senior must take place. While the responsibilities can be shared, there has to be one person everyone can look to for details and instruction.
Support is Imperative
Showing up matters. It speaks volumes to loved ones when their relatives tell them they care but seeing actions match words resonates with them. The same is true when the senior care conversation begins. Involve everyone close to them. Show them they are not alone.

Gather Information

Call for help when planning the discussion. At Nursing Companions, we understand the endless questions that may arise when having this discussion. Our staff is available to answer any senior care questions, comments or concerns. Call us today!