What is an in-home caregiver and how can they help?
In-home caregivers assist aging seniors, those with health conditions, or those in recovery with a range of day-to-day tasks, such as bathing and dressing, preparing meals, and managing medications. The differentiating factor that sets in-home caregivers apart from alternative care options is that caregivers can provide a greater sense of comfort, companionship, and autonomy for their clients in their own homes. More and more families are now opting to hire in-home caregivers to take care of their aging loved ones… and for good reason.
The benefits of hiring an in-home caregiver
Many people believe that hiring an in-home caregiver is the most comfortable way an aging loved one can stay safe and healthy. Here are the 5 key benefits of having an in-home caregiver:
1. Caregivers can assist with basic tasks inside a house, like bathing, cooking, and dressing.
2. They can provide companionship, which can be helpful for individuals who may feel lonely or isolated.
3. Caretakers are more affordable than nursing homes and other senior care options.
4. They can provide help with more specialized medical needs, like medication management and non-invasive care.
5. Caregivers allow aging individuals to maintain independence and confidence, for longer.
What are things in-home caregivers help with?
Caregivers can be available up to 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (based on your needs). Their priority is to ensure your aging loved one is adequately nourished and safe, while free from any interruptions. They support you or your loved one’s ability to engage in daily activities, monitoring your condition and alerting you of any changes, while offering companionship.
An in-home caregiver can assist with the following:
- Personal Care such as bathing, toileting, grooming, and hygiene assistance
- Ambulation assistance
- Assistance with Walking and Transferring
- Fall Prevention Interventions
- Scheduling and Maintaining a Calendar
- Paying & Mailing Bills
- Assistance with Personal Care
- Companionship and Friendship
- Healthy Meal Planning and Preparation
- Housekeeping Chores
- Laundry & Ironing
- Scheduling Appointments
- Medication Reminders
- Transportation to Appointments, Errands, and Social Outings
- Playing Cards and Games
- Arts and Crafts Activities
- Much more!
In-home caregiver vs. family member?
Caregivers differentiate themselves from other similar lines of work in their additional levels of training, certification, and continual adherence required to maintain the integrity of their job. This means in-home caregivers must be properly licensed and insured, as well as screened and tested at all times.
Often, people believe that having a family member help with care is the optimal choice because they are close to you and have a history with the person. However, there are more positive aspects to hiring an in-home caregiver that you might not think about. Hiring a caregiver means that your loved ones can receive professional care, so their situation is managed properly.
Furthermore, it is common for family caregivers to find it challenging to care for a loved one alone. This is often true for those who have not had previous caregiving experience… which is most. While family members can help care for aging individuals, they should be properly trained and supported, or they may experience challenges.
Perhaps the most common consideration among families is the cost of hiring a care assistant. An in-home caregiver typically requires payment by the hour, which means you will only pay up to the amount necessary. Unlike most family caregivers, professional caregivers are expertly trained and experienced in carrying out their duties and developing specialized medical-related skills, which enables them to be able to adapt more difficult challenges and extend the range of your household’s tasks. They are also excellent at ably handling the household so you might be free of worry about managing them, which liberates a great deal of your time. As well as, if your relative experiences any health conditions or requires more specialized care, an in-resident caregiver might also be available to assist without having to foot you an expensive medical bill.
Ultimately, in-home caregivers need to have a good relationship with whomever they’re taking care of. If the individual they take care of is a loved one, relationships and boundaries can become blurred over time.
The home caregiver must understand the needs of the patient and be able to give them the care that they need without causing conflict or resentment, which may have the potential to complicate things within the household and your family.
Are in-home caregivers better than nursing homes in most cases?
Hiring an in-home caregiver appears to be the better choice than placing your loved one in a nursing home or assisted living facility for the following reasons:
1. The cost of in-home caregivers is less than that of nursing homes.
2. In-home caregivers have the training, knowledge, and certifications necessary to provide quality care.
3. In-home caregivers can provide around-the-clock care and be nearby if they are needed for emergencies.
4. In-home caregivers can aid you in managing your parent’s medications while having them remain as comfortable and relaxed as possible.
5. In-home caregivers are often available immediately, so you can rest assured that they will be able to attend to your parent while you are not at home.
The key positive takeaway about in-home caregivers is not only that they’re qualified to take care of your loved ones, but that they take care of you and your family at home. This allows your loved ones to age comfortably, in their environment, while retaining healthy familial relationships not strained by the tolls of caregiving.
By lending companionship through this transitional stage in your life, 1-on-1 care is unequaled, and cannot be found in other kinds of care settings.
Is it necessary to hire a caregiver?
Elderly parents can certainly benefit from home caregiving services. Not only will in-home caregivers brighten the home environment, but they’ll also offer help with numerous activities of daily living (ADLs), such as bathing, getting dressed, and feeding. Aside from offering these services, in-home caregivers are also prepared to aid individuals with chronic health problems or injuries. And, because in-home caregivers understand the unique demands and schedules of the family, they stay flexible to ensure you continue only to have as much control over your hectic life as possible.
You don’t have to depend on family members to help with this process, and you should discuss this issue with your loved one as well if moving to a nursing home is their choice of theirs. The benefits of choosing an in-home caregiver are evident and wide-ranging if you are looking for help taking on some of your workloads, an in-home caregiver would be a great decision.
Contact Us for Your Home Care Needs in Phoenix, AZ
If you have any questions about aging in place, we have the answers. Here at Total Care Connections, we put your family first. We’ve been proudly serving the greater Phoenix, Tempe, and Maricopa County Areas for over 15 years, and have become the leading provider of in-home care services in Arizona.
We believe that with the right help, seniors can age safely and happily in the comfort of their own homes.
Questions? We’re here to help. Please contact our care staff anytime at info@totalcareconnections.com, or by phone at (480) 387-1927.
