Providing for Your Loved One During Their Golden Years
Professional Services Alleviate Stress from Your Caregiver Relationship
If you’ve taken on caring for a loved one during their golden years, then you know just how hard of a job it is. Looking after another adult human, with their own ideas, thoughts, and unique needs presents a challenge to many family members who have assumed a caregiver role.
Thankfully, there are a number of home health care services and other wonderful organizations and companies available in your area, designed to help alleviate the stress of caregiving and to ensure that your loved one receives the skilled care they need to live out the rest of their lives with comfort, dignity, and independence.
Home Health
Home health care is a service in which a nurse visits your loved one in their home a set number of times per week to assist with health-related care, including changing and cleaning catheters, checking vital signs, helping with tube feeding, and more. Home health agencies also can help your loved one access community resources as needed.
To qualify for home health care, your loved one’s physician must request the service.
Hospice
If your loved one is facing a life-limiting illness with six months or less remaining, hospice care can provide peace and comfort during this transitional time. Hospice is available at standalone facilities, but if your loved one prefers to stay home, you can schedule in-home hospice care for them.
Hospice nurses work in conjunction with your loved one’s doctor.
Physical and Occupational Therapy
Rather than visiting a therapist’s office multiple times per week, your loved one can stay safely at home and receive physical and occupational therapy services as they recover from a surgery, illness, or fall.
Physical therapy helps your loved one with body movements, flexibility, and strength, while occupational therapy helps improve your loved one’s ability to perform tasks of daily life. Your loved one’s physician will request care from one or the other – or both – if it is medically necessary.
Private Duty Nursing
Private duty nursing or private duty care can be immensely helpful to you when caring for your loved one during their golden years.
A private duty caregiver will spend as much time per day with your loved one as required, and can assist with meals, cleaning, and other activities, as well as provide companionship. This allows you to accomplish tasks that are important to you, such as resting or going to work.
For many services related to private duty nursing, you do not need a doctor’s order.
Meals on Wheels
If your loved one is living on a limited income and struggles to cook and serve meals each day, your area’s Meals on Wheels program can help.
Meals on Wheels delivers daily meals to homebound senior citizens for low or no cost, however, you must meet eligibility requirements to receive the service.
Housekeeping Services
Your loved one can stay independent in their golden years for longer when they have help around the house. Something as simple as a twice-monthly house cleaning from a reputable service in your area can help make a big difference in the quality of your loved one’s life. A tidy home also helps your loved one stay healthy and decreases the risk of falling accidents.
Independent or Assisted Living
If your loved one isn’t quite ready for a nursing facility, an independent or assisted living community may be a good fit.
In an independent living community, your loved one will enjoy their own apartment and privacy, along with planned activities, meals, and light housekeeping. In an assisted living community, your loved one will get additional one-on-one care, either medical or personal or both. Assisted living has skilled staff available to help your loved one with medical needs as well.
Transportation Services
Depending on where you live, your city likely offers transportation services to older adults or those with disabilities. These services can be helpful for traveling to doctor’s appointments or running other medical-related errands.
Do-It-Yourself Caregiving
If you have the temperament and the skills to serve as your loved one’s primary caregiver during their golden years, you can opt to take on the role. Family caregivers often live with their loved one during the times they need assistance and care, but you may also live separately and visit when needed.
The biggest risk as a caregiver is burn out, or feeling worn out and tired. Utilizing in-home care resources or asking another family member to step in so you can take a day off can help you stay energized.