What Does a Homemaker Do? The Duties & Benefits for Seniors
As we get older, it becomes more difficult for us to perform all the maintenance tasks we’ve done all our lives. Among seniors, these needs become progressively important but sadly aren’t always possible for them to carry out themselves.
That’s where homemakers who serve seniors come in. Professional homemakers perform services that may seem simple but are increasingly valuable and even life-saving to our oldest, most vulnerable citizens.
What does a homemaker do?
The primary aim of a professional homemaker is to help the seniors they serve enjoy life as much as they can. They accomplish that noble end by doing a series of tasks and chores, from household cleaning to meal preparation, and even some advanced care functions.
Many seniors may still be able to complete many of these daily jobs—they’ve been doing at least some of them their entire lives. But for many seniors, even these simple chores can pose risks or even danger in their health and well-being.
Homemakers are especially important because they help seniors keep a high, clean standard of living. In the later stages of their lives, it becomes vital for them to enjoy thoughtful and purposeful lives. Homemakers help them achieve that goal through the services they provide—and the effort can be rewarding, not just for the seniors and families they serve, but the homemakers themselves.
Common services a homemaker provides
Most homemakers’ functions aren’t unusual. They include a checklist of chores typical for the continued health and safety of people of all ages, such as:
- Kitchen cleaning
- Bathroom cleaning
- General house cleaning
- Vacuuming and dusting
- Laundry and ironing
- Changing bed linens
- Dishwashing
- Meal preparation
- Removal of recyclables and trash
- Pet care
- Plant care
Although these functions may be things you do every day in your home, even taking care of the simplest ones for older folks brings a measure of relief and relaxation to their lives.
Other potential senior homemaker responsibilities
With the advancement of age, some homemaker responsibilities involve more specific personal duties for the seniors they care for. In many cases, homemakers provide special help to seniors with physical conditions that have made some daily functions more challenging. Some of these homemaker responsibilities may include:
- Assistance with recovery care from injuries or surgeries
- Medication supervision
- Special care for Alzheimer’s or dementia patients
- Personal care in grooming, dressing, and bathing
- Bed transfers
- Wheelchair or mobility transfers
- Local transportation for seniors who no longer drive
The most important responsibility of a senior homemaker, however, is being a friend to the people they serve (companionship). Personal connections are extremely vital as we age, especially for those whose families are far away or visit infrequently. Homemaking is a professional service, but those who do it best always care about supporting those special bonds.
Benefits of a professional senior homemaker
Having a caring, attentive homemaker at hand for senior loved ones can have constructive and positive results, for more than just those receiving direct attention.
- Peace of mind. Not all families can provide the total level of help, housekeeping, and personal management that a professional homemaker can provide, particularly if they live a great distance away. Knowing their parent, grandparent or other older relative is receiving quality attention and care from a considerate and nurturing professional can set a family’s mind at ease.
- Better health and relaxation. By maintaining a hygienic, sanitary, and welcoming environment, a homemaker helps seniors enjoy life when they should the most. Many of the everyday functions of a homemaker directly impact a senior’s physical well-being, providing them with the leisure they need to get the most from their lives.
- A familiar, dependable presence. As we age, predictability and security become more and more valuable. Homemakers give their senior patrons a friendly, reliable, and consistent face that they can feel at home with. In that sense, a homemaker can be considered a part of their family—in fact, that could be thought of as one of their biggest roles.
- Allowing seniors to stay at home. Many seniors are resistant to leaving their lifelong homes for outside facilities. Having a regular caretaker in their home keeps them in the surroundings they’ve become accustomed to—with the convenience and security of having their most important, basic functions met.
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.
