Can In-Home Care Benefit Your Elderly Parent?
If your elderly parent has physical or emotional problems that affect how they get through life, you may wonder if in-home elder care is right for them. In-home elder care is a great option for seniors who need companionship and emotional support. However, adult children may worry about their loved ones and whether or not they can live in their homes safely. If you learn more about elder care, you may feel better about your senior loved one receiving in-house care. Learn how in-house elder care can improve your loved one's quality of life over time.
Venture Outside the Home Regularly
If your loved one worked outside the home, spent time in nature, or traveled in the past, then they may miss these activities now. The lack of friends, transportation, or even personal companionship might be one of the reasons your loved one doesn't venture outside the home anymore. If you don't have personal time available to take your loved one out but you don't want them to be lonely, then hiring someone to help may be a good idea. In-house elder care can be a great resource during your parent's time of need.
Many types of nurses and aides work in elder care today. Although medication assistance, meal preparation, and personal care are important services offered in senior care, companionship is also important to elderly individuals. Companions can accompany your loved one on trips to the movies, the grocery store, and the park. If your elderly parent still has friends in the area, they may wish to visit them during the outings. Senior care companions may be able to schedule or transport your loved one to the visits.
Your loved one may also have the opportunity to participate in social activities in the neighborhood. Social activities allow your loved one to meet other seniors in the area. Social activities like a book club, gardening, or group exercise, not only improve your loved one's physical health, the activities may also improve your elderly parent's cognitive functions and memory.
Companionship is just one benefit of elder care. Elder care can also help your loved one overcome the negative effects of personal grief, which we will address in the next section.
Get Through Personal Grief and Other Emotional Changes
Some older adults can experience loss, depression, and other negative emotions over time, especially after the loss of a spouse, child, or even a beloved pet. Personal grief is something everyone experiences, but it may be especially difficult for aging adults.
Grief can play a big role in how well your loved one eats, takes care of their personal needs, and even interacts with other people. Grief can trigger isolation or fear in the people it affects. If your loved one doesn't have a way to get through their grief, such as talking to someone about it, it may affect their health. Grief may also interfere with your loved one's ability to socialize with others.
Elder care providers, such as companions and aides, can help your elderly parent cope with grief by:
- engaging in positive conversations with them
- spending quality time with them
- taking them to therapy and other helpful services
In addition to getting through grief, senior caregivers can plan in-home activities for your loved one, such as sewing, crocheting, and gaming. The activities may allow your loved one to refocus their thoughts onto more positive things.
Companionship and emotional relief are just two of the services offered by senior care companies. There may be other services your loved could benefit from, including diet planning and dressing assistance.
If your loved one needs additional help, speak to an in-home elder care provider today.