The Benefits of Having an In-Home Caregiver for Aging Seniors
In this wonderful journey of life, a few things become part of our worlds and influence them year after year—the priceless experience of raising a child, haircuts every month or two, the trash has to go out, and we get older. Aging is just one of those things that happens in the natural order and we all eventually slow down. Even some of the easiest everyday tasks get a little more challenging and wear us out but if age doesn’t impact our way of life or negatively affect our health, there’s no reason we cannot continue to live independently.
Indeed, living independently in their own homes is a goal shared by a large majority of today’s seniors, and happiness and wellbeing is something we all wish for ourselves and loved ones. But at some point that wellbeing falters and we need a little help. If the time comes when everyday life becomes a chore, having a daily and dedicated non-medical caregiver can make all the difference. Even some extra assistance for “easy” things like picking up the house or running a few errands goes a long way for you and your family.
What is an in-home caregiver?
Also known as private duty or live-in caregivers or companions, in-home caregivers lend professional assistance to seniors’ everyday lives. These professionals help the elderly with everything from keeping up with daily tasks to reducing the chores on a growing to-do list.
In fact, partnering with an in-home caregiver can add an entirely new dimension to the life of a senior who feels his or her life has become nothing but medical appointments and battling a variety of health issues. Instead of simply managing big-picture elements, a caregiver focuses on the finer details of comfort and happiness to help bring a sense of relief. Some of the daily life components in the realm of a caregiver’s day include:
- Basic chores such as cooking, cleaning, errands, laundry, and transportation to appointments
- Daily living needs: feeding, dressing, grooming, toilet needs, bathing, or functional mobility
- Assistance with and monitoring of current health and medical conditions
- Help reduce the risk of physical strain or injury from falling or doing regular chores
- Social companionship to help abate depression from loneliness
- Peace of mind to the individual and family members
- Maintain independent living at home
Why choose in-home caregiving?
For seniors at a point in life of being able or wishing to remain living at home but need assistance to maintain a comfortable life, a caregiver can help elderly people stay in familiar surroundings at a time of significant physical and mental challenge.
And it happens much faster than expected. Many seniors lament that one day they are living a robust and active life and the next they have trouble keeping up with day-to-day activities. This is a difficult reality to accept and opting for an in-home caregiver can make the transition much more palatable. Most of us would much rather stay in our longtime home filled with memories and that happy and pleasant environment makes life all the better.
Renewed sense of freedom
Independence is something we all yearn for as young kids and once we have it we want to hold on with iron grip. This holds especially true in our senior years when our bodies slow and familiar activities that gave us a sense of freedom become more difficult—cooking, spending time in the garden, doing projects around the house, or ambling about town.
A noticeable reduction in energy is another common element of aging. You might have planned to do all kinds of great things in your golden years but you’re just plain worn out. A caregiver can help restore time and energy by taking over some everyday chores so you can get out there and enjoy the world.
Companionship
One of the most challenging aspects of aging is loneliness. Living alone with impaired mobility or health limits the ability to get out and about and sitting around watching TV or playing cards day after day is far from stimulating. Interaction with others is enormously beneficial for a senior’s wellbeing and a caregiver can become a genuine and priceless friend.
Peace of mind for friends and family
In addition to bringing relief and stability to seniors, caregivers offer the same for family and friends. Most of us are more than happy to do anything we can to help the elderly in our lives but it demands a great deal of time and commitment and at some point the burden can become too much.
A caregiver’s role focuses on selfless work and not only lightens the work load on immediate family members, it keeps the parent-child dynamic in balance and the rest of the family can rest assured that their loved one is receiving reliable and helpful assistance.
If you or your family member is considering in-home care as part of a plan to age in place, contact Family Matters In-Home Care today for a free consultation. Our team is dedicated to supporting your family and helping older adults enjoy life in the comfort of their own home for as long as possible.
Some of the services offered by Family Matter In-Home Care include: Alzheimer’s & Dementia Care, Bed & Wheelchair Transfer Assistance, Companionship, Housekeeping & Meal Preparation, Personal Care, Recovery Care, and Transportation.
Serving the San Francisco Bay Area and Greater San Diego, Family Matter In-Home Care has offices throughout California including: Campbell, CA, Roseville, CA, San Marcos, CA, and San Mateo, CA.
