Homecare Services are designed to help older loved ones live independently in their homes. Sometimes, home care is provided for a temporary situation, such as after an injury or surgery. Other times, it’s required because of long-term illness or disability. For some families, hiring homecare services is the only way to continue caring for their loved ones at all. But how do you know what kind of home care will be right for your needs?
There’s no one right answer for this one. It all depends on your loved ones’ health and circumstances. To help you figure out what kind of homecare services would serve you and your family best, here are four types to consider:
1. Respite Care
If a family member has been caring for an older person with disabilities, the caregiver may need to take a break before completely burning out. This is where respite care comes in. Respite caregivers step in for the primary caregiver (such as a child or spouse), so they can take an occasional breather or go on vacation once in a while without worrying that their loved one will be left unattended during that time. It’s also a good idea to provide respite care if the primary caregiver has health problems.
2. Companionship Care
This type of home care service is designed to help people remain independent for as long as possible by providing a break from loneliness and boredom. Providing companionship care involves keeping the person company, engaging them in conversation, watching television with them, or taking them out to social engagements that keep their spirits up. If you need this type of service for yourself or an older loved one, hiring a companion care provider through an in-home personal care services provider is usually the best way to go. They provide someone who has been thoroughly screened and vetted, so you can rest assured that your loved one is in good company.
3. Personal Care Services
Sometimes caregivers are needed when your loved one needs help with personal hygiene and grooming activities such as bathing, dressing, and toileting. Again, if your loved one needs assistance getting in and out of bed or using the restroom, they probably need this type of in-home care service at least until their condition stabilizes again. In addition, older loved ones may need personal care if:
- They suffer from a chronic illness such as a stroke, arthritis, or diabetes that impacts their mobility.
- They’re recovering from hip replacement surgery, knee replacement surgery, or another type of major surgery.
- They are on medication that may cause side effects that impact their mobility.
- Their cognitive abilities have declined so much that they can’t manage personal hygiene routines independently.
- Their dexterity has suffered to the point where it’s difficult for them to perform routine grooming tasks
4. Transportation
Some older adults still like to go about their daily activities, such as grocery shopping and other errands. Unfortunately, they may no longer be able to manage the stress of navigating public transit or parking lots. If this is the case with your loved one, you might need a caregiver to take them out and help them get what they need. You can also hire a personal caregiver to accompany your loved one to doctor’s appointments and medical procedures.
For some families, adding just one type of homecare service is enough to give the primary caregiver the time off they need and keep their loved ones safe and comfortable at home with them. But for others, a combination of customized homecare services is more effective.
Whatever kind of care your older loved one needs at this stage in their life, it’s important that they get it. The earlier you start looking for home care services, the more time you will have to find the right kind of help for your family’s unique situation. Are you looking for in-home personal care solutions in Scottsdale or Phoenix? Cypress HomeCare is the premier provider of home care services. Contact us today to schedule a free in-home consultation with one of our certified caregivers.
