Arista Wins Top Workplaces AwardIf you are dealing with an aging parent, the thought of assisted living might be weighing on your mind. It is a difficult decision and important to consider all alternative types of care available. In-home care allows your parent stay at home and still receive the care and services they need daily.
Let’s look at some of the considerations that may make in-home care the best choice for your loved one.
How Much Help?
Home care provides a customized level of care for aging parents. Whether they need 24/7 care or help only with certain tasks, an in-home caregiver can tailor the level of care based on the changing needs of your parent. There are eight main areas to consider when assessing how well your parent can care for him- or herself:
- Level of support from family members
- Safety at home
- Medical demands
- Mental health status
- Personal care level
- Ability to get around
- Socialization
- Meal preparation skills
It is helpful to keep a notebook documenting the changes in these eight areas. Not only will it help you keep track of how things are progressing, but it will also give you a place to discuss the areas with the care provider.
Social Relationships
In-home care gives an aging parent one or two regular caregivers to depend on. Often, assisted living is not as personal, and frequent staff changes can make things confusing for an aging parent. Home care allows a parent to develop a deeper level of trust with the caregiver.
Familiarity with the Home
If your parents are living in the home where they have spent most of their lives, it may be traumatic to uproot them and move them to a new living situation. In-home caregivers allow parents to remain in a setting that is both familiar and comfortable. They can keep their neighborhood contacts and remain a part of their community while receiving the care they need.
Finances
Money is always a factor in the final decision. In-home care makes it easy to hand-pick services a la carte. An in-home agency can provide everything from shopping and meal preparation to housekeeping services, or someone can just stop by to check on your parents once a day. You can work together to create the custom plan that works for your parents’ needs and budget.
By choosing in-home care, you are giving your parents a personal connection with their caregiver and stability in a familiar environment. Don’t forget to factor in your own needs and the financial situation when creating a plan for care. An in-home agency can help you tailor the level of care to your family’s needs, making the transition as easy as possible. If your parents are resisting the need for age-driven changes in their routine, convincing them to allow a professional caregiver into their home a few days each week may be much easier than convincing them to sell their home and permanently move into a facility.
Our Commitment
We take our responsibility to provide competent, experienced in-home senior care seriously. Call us at (419) 754-1897 to schedule a free in-home assessment.
You are not alone. We are here to help.
