Your mother has always been a proud and independent woman, but ever since Dad died something’s changed. Mom’s house and appearance aren’t being kept up, she’s not socializing like before, and there’s never enough nutritious food in her fridge. Unfortunately, caring for your aging mother yourself simply isn’t feasible with your hectic schedule. You’ve considered professional home care but still don’t know if it’s the best option for your family. To ensure the right decision, here are some key advantages of in-home eldercare you may have missed.
What Challenges Do Older Adults Face?
Along with age come inevitable physical and mental challenges that dictate what a senior can and can’t do. One way to measure your loved one’s ability to remain independent is the Katz Index of Independence in Activities of Daily Living (Katz ADLs).
Functional limitations that older adults oftentimes face can be caused by factors like:
- Recovering after an injury, stroke, or surgery
- Chronic medical conditions (cancer, heart disease, arthritis, etc.)
- Cognitive decline due to dementia or Alzheimer’s
- Lack of reliable transportation
- Financial hardship
- Vision changes
COVID travel restrictions have made it even harder for many aging-in-place seniors to maintain their active lifestyles. Once a loved one needs help completing one or more ADLs – like your mother – families are forced to make tough decisions about where that care will take place.
Why Do Families Trust Home Care?
For various reasons, a growing number of families are now choosing in-home care to meet their aging loved ones’ needs versus moving them into a retirement community. Whether provided by informal caregivers or trained professionals, seniors that receive in-home care typically enjoy these benefits as a result:
Higher quality-of-life
No matter how hard you try, an assisted living community or nursing home won’t feel like — or be as comfortable as — your loved one’s residence. Sleeping in a comfy bed, lounging in their favorite recliner, or bathing in their bathroom are all positives for a senior’s dignity, self-esteem, and independence.
Living out the remainder of their lives surrounded by friends and family is highly beneficial for an aging adult’s health and well-being. In most cases, seniors who remain at home enjoy more active and fulfilling lives than those residing in assisted living communities or long-term care facilities.
Independent lifestyle
Seniors who remain at home also enjoy a greater sense of independence by setting their own schedule, going to their favorite places and activities, and eating their favorite foods. There’s no way to duplicate that same level of freedom and self-sufficiency while in a nursing home with the same routine for every resident.
It’s typically safer
Nursing homes and assisted living communities do offer some safety advantages over personal residences. Conversely, they also present safety challenges due to understaffing concerns and the potential to spread infectious diseases very quickly — like COVID. Once your loved one’s home has undergone safety modifications to accommodate any limitations that might have, it will provide a safe, familiar environment for the care to take place.
Restores peace of mind
And finally, knowing that mom is receiving the nurturing she deserves as her needs change allows you to sleep better at night. Most reputable home care agencies have case managers that conduct routine in-home visits and communicate openly with the client’s family about what they’ve observed. Choosing a provider that has the best interests of your family at heart will help ensure that your aging loved one enjoys a higher quality of life for many years to come!
Flexible In-Home Care for Seniors in Bedford, MA
Finding the right home care provider for your aging loved one can be a daunting task. At Assisting Hands Home Care, our professional in-home senior care services allow clients in the Bedford, MA, area to remain safely and comfortably in their own homes. Our trained, dependable caregivers and personal assistants can help your family overcome its eldercare challenges while making your loved one’s home an even better place to be.
Our turnkey home care services include everything from companionship, meal preparation, medication reminders, and transportation to light housekeeping, laundry, and personal care assistance with bathing and dressing. From a few hours a day to around-the-clock care, our customized in-home care solutions have got your family covered. To learn more about Assisting Hands Home Care or schedule a free consultation for a senior in Northwest Boston, click here now.
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