While care homes provide a host of benefits to those who require care, there are some instances where providing help for the elderly at home can be the best possible solution for the individual.
In this article, we explore the four key benefits to keeping your elderly relative in their own home, and some tips on how to find the right care in your area.
Firstly, what is home healthcare?
Providing care in the home is just that – where a qualified carer comes into the home to provide assistance and care without the need for the individual to move into a traditional care home. This can be anything from a little help with day-to-day tasks like bathing, getting dressed and cooking, right through to comprehensive care needed for more complex medical needs. Many people prefer home healthcare services as it allows the individual to preserve their dignity and keep their quality of life.
What are the benefits of home care for the elderly?
1. Home healthcare professionals can provide peace of mind to friends and family.
This is especially the case when relatives are further afield. Trained and qualified care professionals can help with a range of tasks depending on the individual’s needs, and this can be dialled up or down over time.
Many carers can help to safeguard the home, too, for example removing obstacles for those who have limited movement, to avoid the risk of trips and falls.
2. They can support with nutrition.
Are you worried about the nutrition of your elderly loved ones?
Ahome carer can assist with diet and nutrition, ensuring that the individual is eating the right food and drink, regularly. This is especially important where complex health issues are at play, or if they’ve recently been discharged from hospital.
While most carers will help with meal preparation, some home carers can provide nutritionalsupport, helping your loved ones to make the right decisions when it comes to their diet.
3. Medication management
As we get older, our medical needs become greater. This can become a challenge to manage, what with tablets and creams needed at various times of the day. Home carers can support in the management of medication, making sure the individual is taking the right amount at the right time.
4. They provide companionship
Loneliness in the elderly is all too common, particularly if friends and family aren’t on the doorstep. Home carers are there to provide the best possible care to your loved one, however, they can also provide the much needed social interaction that they may not get if they’re not able to get out as much as they used to.
Home carers become companions for reading, walking, playing games and attending social events, and can even accompany your relative to carry out simple tasks like grocery shopping, or trips to the pharmacy.
