Elderly Care: If you hear the term “elderly care,” what comes to mind?
Someone who cleans and cooks for your parents? That’s part of it, but it’s just a small part. Check out these ways elderly care providers can help your mom and dad retain independence while they age at home.
Organization
Your parents have a hard time putting things where they go. You’ve cleaned their house and gotten it organized, but your parents don’t like using a stool and can’t reach some of the shelves where smaller appliances are stored.
When they need something, they pull it out and leave it lying around. The vacuum is out in the middle of the hall. While walking through at night, your mom stubs her toe and trips. With a caregiver’s help, items go back where they belong. Plus, the caregiver can handle chores like vacuuming and getting the toaster or waffle maker to make breakfast.
Late Night Loneliness
What if an older adult is a night owl? Home care aides are often willing to work a late shift. Your dad isn’t tired until 11 p.m., but he hates being alone. You leave after making his dinner, and he’s not happy. He wants someone around at night until he’s sleepy.
That’s part of companionship services. He’ll have a caregiver with him for socialization. His caregiver can put on a movie and watch it with him or get some board games out to play. When he’s ready for bed, the caregiver can remind him to take medications and tidy up before leaving.
Safe Transportation
Your mom’s reaction times are significantly slower than they used to be. Her doctor’s advised it’s a good time to give up driving. She’s not happy, but she’ll be okay if she has someone to drive her around.
While you and your brother are at work, you can hire caregivers to drive your mom to stores, restaurants, friends’ houses, and medical offices. The elderly care provider can take your mom to her appointments, eliminating your need to take off multiple days from work for your mom’s dental and doctor’s visits.
Reading the Fine Print
Your mom and dad can’t read fine print without magnifying glasses. It’s becoming a problem at home as they struggle to read the instructions on medicine bottles. In a store, they cannot read the ingredient list on packaged foods.
Have you considered hiring caregivers to bring them to stores? Their caregiver can go over the nutrition facts with them and ensure they’re picking foods that match their dietary needs. At home, the caregiver can read the instructions on medicine bottles.
What do you do next? Start by calling or filling out a form to get more information on elderly care. An elderly care expert will walk you through the prices for home care, available services, and tips for keeping your parent independent while aging at home.
