Many seniors today state that they would prefer to stay in their homes or age in place for as long as need be. However, as people get older, several age-related conditions or challenges such as decreased mobility and cognitive decline can make living at home increasingly difficult and unsafe. Thus, most aging individuals may choose to use in-home care services annually. In-home care can make aging in place much benign for most seniors, especially when used in tandem with assistive technology and home modifications. In-home care aides can provide the monitoring, companionship, and personal care assistance that one would receive in a long-term care community while allowing them to feel comfortable in their own homes. Home care provides the best of both worlds for seniors who require assistance but are unwilling to move to a residential care community or nursing home. This guide seeks to help you better comprehend in-home care services and navigate the caregiver hiring process.
What is an In-Home Care Service?
In-home care, also called home care, is non-medical care provided in the client’s home. It incorporates custodial care for elderly persons and assistance with ADLs (activities of daily living) like providing medication reminders, eating, and bathing assistance. Home health care aides also offer seniors cognitive stimulation, companionship, and socialization. Family caregivers habitually use personal care services as a respite when they need a few hours to work, travel, or attend to other personal errands.
The help of in-home care providers allows most elderly individuals to remain home when they are not ready to relocate to a residential care community. Additionally, it is a good option for those who require some help and are otherwise independent, as the amount of care can be personalized for each person’s needs.
Different Types of In-Home Care Services
There are various types of in-home care services Sedona, AZ provides to accommodate the different needs of older adults. The level of care can span from light housekeeping and basic companionship to expert medical care administered by specially-trained home health care providers. We cover in-home care services, which include:
Companion Care Services
As the name suggests, companion care providers provide company for the elderly, especially those isolated at their own home due to frailty, cognitive impairments, like mild-to-moderate-stage Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, or because they reside alone. Also known as elder companions, these aides provide the necessary support for various caregiving tasks: driving clients to appointments, reading aloud, keeping a watchful eye, preparing light meals and snacks, safeguarding someone unsteady on their feet, and otherwise functioning as an additional set of hands, feet, or eyes for your loved one.
Companion care is perfect for individuals who would otherwise have to solely spend part of the day and need some light assistance. Moreover, it offers a valuable social benefit, minimizing isolation and improving mood.
Personal Care Assistance
Besides providing companion care, in-home care aides help with all types of ADLs, from medication management to grocery shopping to non-medical personal care like grooming, toileting, bathing, and dressing. Additionally, they can provide momentary respite care for family caregivers.
Many families enlist personal care aides as senior living solutions, like a small woman hiring a strong in-home care aide who can lift a spouse for bathing. Personal care assistants can also fill the need for seniors who start encountering difficulties maintaining their homes or independently completing all ADLs, but do not have the full-time help offered at an assisted living community. In addition to assisting with ADLs, personal care aides can arrange for escorts to doctor visits, meal preparation, and any other form of non-medical help needed by your loved one to prolong their home living.
Home Health Care
This form of in-home care incorporates higher-level medical care and therapy. Unlike personal care assistants who cannot perform any medical care, home health aides must have a certification, nursing degree, or undergo specialized training to perform skilled nursing care like maintaining oxygen tubes and catheters, first aid and wound care, administering injections, monitoring chronic conditions, and conducting physical or occupational therapy.
Home health care is the only type of home care that incorporates skilled nursing or therapy services. Standard home care does not encompass any medical services. Individuals who require skilled nursing care, physical or occupational therapy, or medical administration should look into home health care instead of regular home care.
Specialized Home Care
This is one of the types of home care services where professional caregivers offer specialized home care services through their life care navigation program. If your parent needs exceptional senior care, the experts combine the specialized services with traditional home care to develop a personalized plan.
Signs Your Senior Loved One Needs Respite Care
Dwindled mobility Difficulty walking and moving around can make it hard to complete daily living routine activities, thus the need for in-home care. Mobility issues have extensive effects, making it difficult to safely get around the house, shower, or go out for errands and social visits. This can host other issues, from fall-related injuries to malnutrition. In-home aides can help your loved ones get where they need to go and provide valuable companionship.
Significant weight loss may indicate that your aging loved one is struggling to prepare their meals, or that they encounter difficulties getting around the kitchen. · Physical changes When hugging your loved ones, you may notice that they feel thinner and punier than before. Or, maybe you have spotted bruises on their body. These physical symptoms may be indications that your parent requires some extra help at home. Bruises tend to prove falls or other accidents, although your loved one may decline that it is happening. A home health care aide can help ascertain that your parent is getting the proper nutrition and help prevent falls.
Deterioration in hygiene and grooming One of the biggest signs that your aging parent requires in-home assistance is a noticeable deterioration in hygiene and grooming. This may entail overgrown facial hair, intermittent bathing, or a generally shabby appearance. Typically, grooming and hygiene deteriorate when someone can no longer keep up with these routines, either physically or because of cognitive impairments. Maintaining one’s hygiene and grooming is considered a daily living activity, and most people work with a home health aide to help their loved ones with these duties.
Loss of interest in activities and hobbies Have you noticed that your loved one no longer seems interested in most of the hobbies they once enjoyed? Have they given up on sedentary activities like watching their favorite TV show, reading, or knitting? Losing interest in hobbies and activities can indicate numerous underlying issues, especially depression. While an in-home aide cannot solve these medical or mental health problems, they can help ascertain that your loved one observes treatment plans, has frequent social interaction and companionship, and can provide much-needed help so that your parent can enjoy favorite pastimes.
Increased forgetfulness People forget things sometimes. However, increasing instances of forgetfulness over time, especially when it comes to crucial to-dos such as paying bills or taking medication, may signify that home-care help is necessary. If your loved one’s memory problems interfere with their daily activities and well-being, it is a good sign that they should see a physician about their memory issues as these may indicate a cognitive decline. Working with an in-home caregiver can help you ensure that your loved one stays on top of their normal activities, notwithstanding any cognitive decline.
Trouble maintaining one’s home Trouble keeping up with house chores is a common sign that an elderly person requires in-home help. They may be unable to perform these duties as before due to mobility problems, cognitive decline, or even depression. Some indications that your loved one is struggling to maintain housework may include dirt, grime, or dust in areas that used to be clean, piles of dirty dishes, or excessive clutter. Most in-home care assistants offer housekeeping help such as sweeping the floor, doing laundry, cleaning countertops and appliances, and running the dishwasher.
Ways to Pay In-Home Care in Sedona, AZ
When paying for short-term in-home care Sedona, AZ services, out-of-pocket or private pay is always an option. However, most individuals use some form of financial assistance to make the in-home care costs more manageable. One of which is Long-term care (LTC) insurance.
Long-term care insurance is a great way to provide for future needs in case you become unable or infirm. You can choose how much coverage and what types of expenses it covers, including daily living activities like dressing oneself or eating meals with help from others on occasion if necessary. We can help you plan for your future care needs.
In case you haven’t purchased LTC insurance, many options can still help you plan for future care needs. Reach out to Caring Hearts of Sedona, AZ today to learn about all the options available!
Contact the Trusted In-Home Care provider in Sedona, AZ
Are you in the process of finding in-home assistance for a loved one? Selecting the right home care provider is one of the most fundamental decisions you will ever make. Professional caregivers will be trusted with health, safety, and happiness, which helps build and develop their relationships. Thus, it is essential to select only the best. Conducting some research on your candidates can help you hire a potential, reliable, and trustworthy aide.
Caring Hearts of Sedona, AZ has over a decade of experience providing the highest quality in-home care and residential settings in Sedona, Camp Verde, Cottonwood, and surrounding areas. Whether you are looking for 24/7 care or something less, Caring Hearts of Sedona, AZ, is here for you and your loved ones.
We provide support where it is precisely needed. Our team is highly qualified and experienced and subject to thorough background checks. We recruit only the best care providers, so you can relax in the knowledge that your loved one will be expertly cared for. To learn more about our in-home care services, call us today at 928-284-1948!
