In-Home Care

Senior citizens have many concerns as they grow older in their homes, but moving is difficult at any age. And a facility is not always necessary. Using senior home care is a simple solution for helping care for the elderly. In home care allows senior citizens to maintain their independence in the comfort of their own home. 

Planning Ahead

While planning ahead is sometimes difficult because you may not know how or when your needs will change, consider the type of assistance that may be of use to you in the near future. Regardless of your situation, begin by thinking of any illnesses you may have such as arthritis, diabetes, or heart disease. Talk to your doctor and brainstorm how these conditions may affect how you are able to take care of yourself. Perhaps you will need help getting dressed, preparing a meal, or remembering to take your medicine. This sort of assistance can easily be addressed in your own home using in home care. 

As you continue reading, you will learn about the different kinds of in home care available in your area. You will also learn about the resources especially for senior citizens, from your community to your Federal Government. If cost is a concern, we will provide suggestions for free or low cost services. We will also provide information on assistance that may cost more. There are some benefits that provide in home care for senior citizens and they may apply to you. Be sure to share this information with family members and friends, and use this as a means to begin talking about your present and future needs. 

Helping Older Relatives Stay in their Home

Everyday activities can become difficult as a person grows older. For many senior citizens, taking care of their homes and themselves becomes more and more challenging. If this is happening to any of your relatives or family friends, talk to them about getting assistance. Think about how you and others can help, and offer your assistance. Talk to friends who may have loved ones undergoing the same life changes and see how they are handling the care for their aging relatives. Then, get together with the person who might consider in home care pand decide together what to do. 

Staying in Your Home

In home care can provide you with almost any sort of assistance you may want in your home, usually for some cost. Below, there is a list of common concerns senior citizens have when living at home. We provide different suggestions and services to make living at home easier. 

Personal care. This includes washing your hair, bathing, and getting dressed. Perhaps a relative or friend can help, in other cases, it may be necessary to hire an in home health care aide to assist you for a short time each day. 

Homemaking. This includes daily activities like household chores, shopping, and laundry. Certain grocery stores or pharmacies take phone orders and will deliver items. Cleaning services provide employees to hire and some will help with laundry. Also, there are laundry services that pick up and deliver clothing. Usually, in home health care aides and caregivers help with these chores as directed. 

Meals. This includes preparing food. It may be possible to share cooking with friends or family members a few times a week. Senior citizen centers, churches, or synagogues sometimes serve meals. Eating out with others is also an option. If it is difficult to get out, you could either ask a friend to bring a meal every now and then or look into Meals on Wheels programs that deliver hot meals to your house. Also, in home health care workers will generally provide meal preparation as directed. 

Money Management. This includes paying bills from utilities to doctor's bills, and health insurance claim forms. Many banks will directly deposit the payment for regular bills, like rent or mortgage and utilities, directly from your checking account.  Asking a trusted friend or relative to help may also be a possibility; if not, financial counselors or geriatric care managers can assist you. Make sure that the person you hire was referred to you by a trustworthy source. 

Health Care. This includes taking medication. Some senior citizens find it helpful to set an alarm clock to remind you to take your medicines. If you need additional services, you may be able to hire a home health care aide. If you just got home from a hospital stay and need additional care from a home health aide, Medicare might pay for this service short-term. 

Getting around. This includes getting around at home or in town. An electric chair or scooter may be covered by Medicare. Also, if you are not able to drive there are volunteer escort services available, or you may take public transportation or taxis. Asking a relative or friend to take you is another option. 

Staying Social.  This includes remaining active and social. Senior citizen centers provide many activities, and will help you connect with other senior citizens. If you cannot leave your home it may be good to have regular visits with a friend or family member. Volunteers from your local place of worship or community center also provide companionship. 

Safety. This refers to avoiding crime and elder abuse. It is important to contact the police if you experience elder abuse; this includes physical, sexual, financial, or emotional abuse and neglect. Or, if you are worried about becoming sick when you are alone and unable to call for help, an emergency alert system may be a good solution. You wear a special button that, when pushed, calls emergency medical personnel. Hiring a trustworthy in home health care aide is also a good way to ensure your safety. 

Outside Care. This includes adult day care. If you live with someone who works during the day and you do not want to be alone during that time, adult day care may be an option. Sometimes the day care center will provide transportation to and from your home. 

Housing. This includes changes to the house to make it easier to live in. A ramp may allow easier access than stairs. Grab bars in the bathtub or shower help one maintain balance. Nonskid floors make the floor less slippery. More comfortable door and faucet handles can help ease pain associated with conditions like arthritis. Senior citizens can get help paying for these changes, check with your State housing finance agency, community development groups, State Area Agencies on Aging, or the welfare department. 

Resources

Use your resources, below are a list of people and agencies that may be able to help you. 

People you know. Many senior citizens rely on family members, friends, and neighbors to help them. Those you are close with may be able to help find the best way to meet your needs. 

Community and local government. The government provides many services for senior citizens, some of these may be found in your community. Social workers and health care professionals may be able to provide suggestions. Contacting your state and local offices on aging or social services, as well as your local Area Agency on Aging, may also prove helpful. Finally, check with your local church, synagogue, or community center, these groups may provide services for senior citizens. 

Geriatric care managers. Specially trained geriatric care managers help assist with and coordinate senior citizen elder care for a cost. They will help you to make a long-term care plan and find the services that are appropriate for your needs. When family members are not close by, geriatric care managers can check in with you from time to time and oversee your cother elder care services such as in home health aides. 

Federal Government. The Federal Government provides many resources for senior citizens. The Internet is a good place to look. If you do not have access to a computer at home, often libraries and senior centers have computers for public use. Also, it may be helpful for a neighbor, child, or grandchild to assist you. The Eldercare Locator, your local Area Agency on Aging, and Medicare may be good places to start. 

Home Health Care Agencies. Home health care agencies coordinate and provide home health aides to assist senior citizens in their home for a cost. They often have a staff that includes social workers and nurses that will manage your care.

In Home Health Aides

When support from friends, family, and community organizations is not enough, it may be useful to hire a home health aide. They can provide care from a few hours a week to 24 hours a day. They assist with personal care like bathing, oral hygiene, dressing, and shaving. They can also give nutrition help by preparing meals, assisting eating, and grocery shopping. They can help with homemaking, such as laundry, dishwashing, and light housework. They provide companionship, like reading to the client, taking care of pets, taking out on leisure outings, and running errands. And finally they can help with general health management, such as administration of medication. 

Cost

Some types of services are free while others may be expensive. When planning, it is important to consider how to pay for these services.  Medicare, Medicaid, private "Medigap" policies, private health insurance, or long-term care insurance may cover some of the services you need. Otherwise, you will have to pay out of pocket. Still, paying for some of these services out of pocket may be less expensive that moving into an assisted living or long-term care facility. 

The Caring Space

thecaringspace.com TheCaringSpace.com

David Crumrine at the Caring Space

We are an organization that connects caregivers and care seekers, providing an easy and affordable resource for families seeking care for friends/loved ones and caregivers seeking employment.