Your dad prefers living alone and hates the idea of moving to a new location. He doesn’t want to pack up and leave all of the memories he has. You worry about him being alone all day, every day, and you’re not close enough to do more than call him.

Have you looked at all that elder care aides can do? Here are eight ways caregivers help your dad age in place.

Transportation

Transportation services are available from a home care agency and are helpful when it comes to appointments. His caregiver can drive him to and from the medical office. If he has to stop at a pharmacy to pick up a new prescription, that’s an option.

Scheduling and Bill Paying

Some older adults have a hard time making a call to schedule an appointment. Hearing the person on the other end is impossible when you have hearing loss. Online appointment schedulers are hard to navigate. Your dad avoids making appointments for that reason.

He can have a caregiver help him schedule appointments for medical exams and tests, dental cleanings, and haircuts. If he needs to see a specialist like a podiatrist or a dermatologist, his caregiver can help with that.

Paying bills is another area your dad has a hard time with. His caregiver can help him address an envelope. When mail arrives, his caregiver can bring it in and help him sort the junk mail from the bills and important notices.

Medication Reminders

Does he forget to take his pills? If he has prescription medications that he cannot forget to take each day, his caregiver can remind him when it’s time.

Meals and Snack Preparation

Elder care providers can prepare meals and snacks. They’ll talk to your dad about what he’d like to eat for the week and inventory the kitchen refrigerator, freezer, and cabinets to see what’s needed. A grocery list is built from this and they can go shopping together.

When it’s time to eat, his caregiver cooks the meal for him. He has a caregiver to clean the kitchen and wash dishes after.

Hygiene and Grooming

Arrange to have caregivers help your dad with his daily hygiene and grooming tasks. They can help him wash his hair or body while he showers or simply be there for support while he gets in and out of the shower. He might need someone to read the labels and hand him the right product for his needs.

Personal care aides can help your dad brush and floss his teeth and rinse his mouth with a fluoride mouthwash. They can help your dad shave, brush his hair, and apply moisturizer. If he needs his nails trimmed, that’s another option with personal care services.

Household Chores

Your dad struggles with common household chores like laundry, changing bed linens, washing dishes, and vacuuming. He can’t take out the trash without help. Caregivers can help with light housekeeping and laundry. They can change his sheets and towels, wash and dry them, and put them away.

Errands

When it comes to errands, your dad needs a ride. But, he also has a hard time reading the labels in stores, knowing how to decide which item better suits his nutritional needs, or completing the transaction at the register. If there is only a self-checkout open, he’s unable to buy anything as it’s too unfamiliar for him.

He can have a caregiver help him run errands. He has someone to help him scan items and pay, choose the right items, and carry everything to the car. At home, his caregiver can carry his purchases inside for him.

Companionship

Your dad simply needs someone to stop by each week and spend an afternoon with him. He wants someone to join him for a meal and conversation or to play cards with. Companionship services are ideal for ensuring your dad has someone to talk to and avoid feeling lonely.

It’s time to talk about your dad’s need for help around the home. Elder care services provide the support he needs to live independently without risk or fear. Call an elder care agency and ask to talk to a specialist to get answers to your questions and learn more about prices.

If You Or An Aging Loved One is Considering Elder Care in Northglenn, CO, Please Contact The Caring Staff At Assisting Hands Home Care Today! 720-780-7755.