Why You Should Consider In-Home Care
There are a lot of decisions that you need to make as you age. When is the right time for retirement? Should you downsize? What’s the best way to care for yourself and ensure you age comfortably and safely?
When it comes to your comfort and safety in the home, in-home care is an option more and more seniors turn to each day. There are many tough decisions to make, but deciding on your best care option doesn’t have to be one of the difficult decisions.
Keep Your Independence
Hiring a caregiver doesn’t mean you’re going to lose your independence. Working with a caregiver helps you maintain your independence and prolongs your ability to live at home. A caregiver’s primary role is to help you around the house. They can help with light housekeeping, laundry, or meal preparations. They can also provide personal care, which includes help with personal grooming, toileting, and mobility. Everything a caregiver does is to help you feel comfortable and safe living at home.
Personalized Care
When you hire a caregiver, you are their first and only priority while in your home. Unlike in a senior community or hospital where caregivers have to look after multiple clients at once, in-home caregivers solely focus on assisting you.
When working with a care agency like Visiting Angels, you’ll meet with a care coordinator before starting care services. During this initial meeting, the care coordinator will get to know you and understand your needs. From there, the care coordinator will put together a personalized care plan and match you with a caregiver. Your customized care plan is flexible and can change as your needs change.
Financially Savvy
Since in-home caregivers provide personalized care, they’re often less expensive than other care options. For many senior homes, there are hidden costs and fees that raise the overall prices. There also tends to be less flexibility in care plans, most of which have fixed prices. With fixed expenses, you may end up paying for services you’re not using.
With in-home caregiving from agencies like Visiting Angels, you won’t be paying for services you don’t need. You can also modify your caregiving schedule. If there are less active days at home and you don’t need assistance, you aren’t required to visit with a caregiver.
Reduce Hospitalization and Readmission
When you have a professional caregiver in-home assistance with household tasks and personal care, you significantly reduce your chances of injuring yourself at home. Caregivers can reduce your chance of falling by carrying laundry upstairs or assisting you in getting in and out of the shower. They can also provide medication reminders to ensure you’re taking what you need to stay healthy. Plus, having a caregiver around means someone is there in case of an accident or sudden medical emergency.
If you have an illness or surgery that requires a hospital stay, having a caregiver at home can significantly reduce your chances of readmission. Caregivers can’t provide medical care such as changing bandages, but they help you bathe, remind you to take antibiotics, and even provide transportation to your doctor for follow-up appointments.
Allows Family to be Family
It’s kind for loved ones to provide care and assistance as you age, but sometimes having a family member as a primary caregiver creates a complicated relationship. Caregiving takes a lot of work and can feel overwhelming at times, especially when the caregiver is trying to manage a career, family, and social life. If caregiving consumes your loved ones, they may have difficulty enjoying their time with you.
When you hire a professional caregiver, you can still allow your family to help you, but the primary relationship between you and your loved one is family. Your loved ones don’t have to worry if they’re doing enough for you or if your needs will fit their schedule. They can feel at ease knowing a caregiver is meeting your needs and enjoying your time together.
How Visiting Angels Can Help
If you or an aging loved one is interested in hiring a professional caregiver, the team at Visiting Angels is here to help. Our St. Louis Park office serves Minneapolis, St. Louis Park, Golden Valley, Richfield, and the West Metro. If you’d like to learn more about our services, you can complete this online form or call us at 952.935.0789.