As we get older, our minds and bodies grow weaker. It’s a sad, yet undeniable, fact of life, forcing adult children to make difficult decisions. It’s on each of us to care for our parents, when they begin to have difficulty caring for themselves, and that often means arranging for professional care. While committing your elder loved one to an assisted living facility is one option, it’s not the only choice available.
Before deciding to have you elder parent admitted into a nursing home, it may be beneficial to investigate other options. For instance, home care services Greenwich CT can provide your elder loved one with the care they need, while allowing them to remain in their own homes. This is certainly a cheaper option than paying for nursing home residency, but it’s also more beneficial to the elder individual.
Home care services help elders stay in a familiar and comfortable environment. When people are placed in nursing homes, they often develop depression and anxiety from being thrust into an unfamiliar setting. Their physical health can decline faster, as a result of the symptoms of depression. They won’t eat, stop drinking sufficient water to prevent dehydration, and become emotionally withdrawn. Conversely, home care can let the elder stay in their home and continue to socialize with people they know.
A home care aide serves a variety of functions, which can help ease everyone’s obligations. Aside from providing daily companionship, the aide may also help care for the elder by ensuring the individual bathes every day, dresses in clean clothes, practices proper oral care, and takes medication. The aide may also prepare meals to ensure your elder loved one is eating properly and may perform light housekeeping chores.
The primary goal of the home care aide is to ensure your elder loved one is well cared for in their home. Left alone, the elder may forget to maintain good hygiene practices or they may engage in household duties that increase the risk of injury. Having an aide present for a few hours each day ensures your elder loved one can remain happy, safe, and healthy in their own home.
