There are plenty of in-home health care services that work to allow seniors to remain as independent as possible in the comfort of their humble abodes. Receiving assistance in their place of residence makes it easier for friends and family to visit. It also makes it a cinch to stick to a normal routine. Below is a list of the possible in-home health care services you can arrange or your loved one via their insurance, the Department of Aging, or local social services office.
Health and Personal Care
In many cases a nurse will come out to assist seniors with a variety of health and medical related tasks. Dementia patients may need a reminder to take meds, while those with physical limitations may require help with dressing or washing their hair. Nurses can monitor blood pressure and other important vital signs, as well as keep track of upcoming doctor appointments.
Therapy
Staying as fit and mentally sharp as possible is key when the senior's goal is to remain in the home. Seniors can have physical therapy to stay limber and prevent falls, or to heal after a fall has already occurred. Occupational therapy is useful for working on self-feeding, opening jars, and other fine motor skills. Loved ones who have suffered a stroke or who are diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease would benefit greatly from speech therapy.
Meals and Household Chores
The older your parents get, the less energy and stamina they may have to keep up with homemade meals and household chores. In-home health care services can arrange to have someone help with this. A few things you can expect the workers to do include grocery shopping, taking care of your laundry, and even picking up your prescriptions from the pharmacy. Talk with the care worker about the specific things your parents need help with and then arrange for them to come on the days when you aren't available to assist them.
Financial Assistance
Many geriatric care workers are also trained to help seniors fill out their health insurance paperwork, as well as any claim forms that may come in. A social services agent or a representative from the Department of Aging would be willing to assist seniors in applying for any programs that would help them obtain modifications to the home, such as a stair lift or grab bars in the bathroom, or adaptive equipment, such as walkers and wheelchairs, that will help them get around the house better.
Share12 April 2017
When my mom had a stroke, I knew that things were never going to be the same. We were very fortunate that she lived so close to the hospital and that the neighbor was there visiting when it happened, because the outcome is not as bad as it could have been. Unfortunately, she needed a lot of extra care while she worked to recover from the damage that was done. I found a wonderful assisted living facility to place her in to get the help that she needed. If you have a loved one that has recently experienced the same thing, my blog could be quite helpful for you.
