As your parents get older, you’re faced with a difficult decision, because it suddenly becomes your responsibility to care for them. Do you compel them to move into an assisted living community, which means abandoning their home and giving up much of the familiar? While that may become necessary in cases, where physical or cognitive decline is extreme, there are other options.
By making use of home care staffing services, you can allow your elder parents to remain in their home. This can help them stay healthier for longer, because familiar surroundings will encourage mental resiliency. Sights, sounds, and scents will spark memories to help the elder fight off the risk of dementia. Additionally, remaining at home will make your elder parents less likely to experience episodes of depression and anxiety.
In addition, hiring a non-medical care aide means someone is looking after your elder parent, while you’re meeting other obligations. Simply having someone to talk with can help keep your elder parent from feeling abandoned and alone, which is a common occurrence among single elders. The companionship ensures your elder loved one will live an overall better quality of life.
Depending on the level of service you request, the home care aide can also help your elder parent function. The aide may help your elder parent with daily hygiene practices to ensure they take proper care of themselves and may prepare meals to ensure your elder loved ones are eating balanced meals. Adhering to medication schedules is another service the non-medical home care aide can provide.
Providing an assistant to help your elder loved one can ensure they remain safe in their home. Left alone, elder individuals are prone to frequent falls and other injuries. They are also likely to stop taking care of themselves, either as the result of depression, or early stages of dementia. Even a part-time aide can assist with chores and ensure your elder loved one isn’t engaging in unsafe, or unhealthy, behaviors. This type of service allows you to keep your elder parent at home, while also providing the more intensive care they may need.