Home comes with a certain comfort you can’t get anywhere else. You know where things are, the sights and smells are familiar and some of your fondest memories reside in it. However, as your elderly loved ones age, the responsibilities of maintaining a home can become a challenge. They may have a harder time doing things like cooking, cleaning, yard work and paying the bills. Over time, these responsibilities can become burdensome, even dangerous, as your loved one deals with the physical and mental effects of aging.
Even if maintenance is a challenge, they may not want to live in a nursing home or assisted living facility. This can be hard to accept, especially if you see them struggling immensely. However, it is possible for them to get the care they need while remaining at home.
Addressing the concerns of aging at home
If your loved one decides to stay at home, you may worry about how they will run errands, move around the house and who will help them if they injure themselves. Everyone has different issues, so you may want to sit down with your loved one and address them before moving forward. Pinnacle Home Care can assist in these discussions and find a plan that best fits their needs and lifestyle.
Setting your loved one up for in-home care
Before your loved one’s in-home care begins, it’s important to lay the groundwork for success. Doing so can help both your loved one and their care provider by addressing trouble areas and establishing expectations. Here are a few things that can help:
- Make their home safe and accessible: As they age, your loved one may have trouble moving around the house, like going up and down the stairs. If that’s the case, you and your elderly loved one may want to invest in accessible technology for their home. A motorized lifter can help them travel around their house with minimal strain and effort. You can also help them remove hazards that could lead to injuries, like getting rid of throw rugs or making sure every room in the house is properly lit.
- Assess their dietary needs: People can develop sensitive diets as they age. Because of this, you should speak with your loved one’s primary care physician. They can give you a better idea of their dietary needs and restrictions. That way, your in-home care provider knows just in case your elderly loved one forgets.
- Establish boundaries and protocols: Even though your loved one is receiving care, they’ll still want some independence. You’ll want to have a conversation with your loved one’s provider about when they like to be alone, when they should check on them and how to approach sensitive subjects. Their provider should also know where to go and who to contact if there’s a medical emergency, so it’s important to create a contact list and nearby medical facilities.
Finding the balance between safety and autonomy
Caring for an aging loved one can be difficult, especially when they don’t want to leave home. Fortunately, an in-home care professional from Pinnacle Home Care can provide them with the assistance and security they need while allowing them to maintain autonomy.
Interested in learning more about our services? You can set up a free consultation on our website today.
