Your Mom and Dad may be enjoying their golden years, but as time goes on, issues may naturally arise. Maybe Mom has a slow-progressing eye condition and is gradually losing her independence. Alternatively, Dad has begun to forget the names of you and your siblings randomly. Which may be a sign he is experiencing the early stages of dementia.
It is natural to become anxious and concerned when you start
to notice these changes. Your instinct may be to step in and care for your
parent. However, you can't neglect
balancing other needs: a full-time job, children, and family. Self-care can quickly
become an occasional priority as you are
trying to juggle your personal life simultaneously while helping your aging
loved one. Too many pressures can cause you to burn
out both emotionally and financially.
It is essential to understand
Mom or Dad’s conditions as their needs evolve. It
is nearly impossible to gauge the
level of care your loved one will need, even if you have become their primary
caregiver. The natural aging process can expose your parent to a range of
health issues, and certain conditions may remain undiagnosed until there is an
injury or illness.
Maybe you’ve thought about asking your parent to move in
with you. However, most elderly would like to age in place and maintain their
independence. Per a joint
report by the Home Care Association of America and Global Coalition
on Aging: “Nine out of ten Americans 65 and older want to stay at home for as
long as possible, and 80 percent think their current home is where they will
always live.”
Technology is not Enough
You may think using smart telehealth devices or installing a
home-monitoring system is the answer. However, stand-alone technology can
hardly replace the expertise of a trained professional such as an HHA or CNA
who has cared for older adults just like
your parents.
Even if you’re seeing Mom and Dad on a regular basis, it
doesn’t mean you can manage the care alone. For instance, severe mood swings
may not manifest in an elderly until sundown, a time when you’re likely to feel
drained from a long day. During moments of irritability and high-agitation,
your parent can’t depend on a digital health device to restore a sense of calm;
however, a trained, professional caregiver can be a calming presence, and be
your eyes and ears for Mom and Dad when you can’t be there.
Emotional Safety and Physical Security
A quality home
care provider can address safety before it's too late. For example,
if your parent is losing balance, your mom’s professional caregiver has been
trained to “fall-proof”
the home.
Further, this person can serve as a human firewall. Lonely
seniors become easy prey for fraudsters. An unsuspecting elderly adult is a
target for scam artists. Make sure your elderly loved one doesn’t end up a
victim. Every day, scammers are trying to gather personal information and are
banking on confused seniors to give it to them. Fraudsters may try to engage a lonely senior who is hungry for
more interaction. It’s just another scenario where a caregiver can mitigate
potential harm for your loved one.
Professional Care after a Hospital Visit
If your mom or dad was
recently discharged from the hospital, it is imperative to provide specific care to help prevent costly
readmission. Quality in-home care services
can dramatically reduce the chances of your loved one relapsing or getting
re-injured. Around-the-clock care for the first month after hospital discharge is always recommended. Elderly adults have a
much lower chance of recovery if they are re-hospitalized in this 30-day
window, which is why reducing
hospital readmissions is crucial.
Will you be around to ensure your parent strictly adheres to
a doctor’s discharge care plan? If not, you can rely on a professional
caregiver to follow the medical directive and
care plan, keeping your loved one safe and out of the hospital.
What about if the doctor assigns Mom or Dad a meal plan?
Will you be there to prepare the recommended foods for your parent?
Professional caregivers will prepare nutritious meals for your loved one
as part of their routine.
It is no secret that early detection is the key to better
health outcomes. While caregivers are not medical professionals, they do
possess the education and experience necessary to recognize initial signs of
dementia, Alzheimer's
or symptoms of depression. They can be your eyes and ears while working extra
hard to foster a positive attitude in your loved one.
A home care provider is an objective third-party who takes a
measured approach. Should there be a problem, you won't lose precious time
before addressing the issue.
Hire a Caregiver from a Reputable Homecare Agency
No doubt you wish to hire a caregiver that you can trust to
care for your loved one. That means professional skills, experience, and an
attitude of respect and compassion towards the elderly. Visiting Angels
Newton/Canton has an outstanding team of caregivers
who are CNA or HHA certified. Each has
at least three years’ professional experience in the field of home
care services. Caregivers must pass an extensive home care exam and
are interviewed at length by two Case Managers. Our new Caregivers complete a full
orientation training which includes a specialized dementia care
program. We provide continuous support with events, training, and awards. We
even take care to assign caregivers that fits the personality traits of our clients
to ensure the best outcome.
About
Visiting Angels Newton/Canton
Visiting Angels Newton/Canton MA is an award-winning local
home care agency providing high caliber in-home care services to elderly and
people with disabilities. Countless families have benefited from our dementia
home care, Alzheimer's
care, companion
care, respite support, transitional aid, and elder home care
services in Needham, Dedham, Canton, Stoughton, Newton, Brookline,
Chestnut Hill, Wellesley, Westwood, Watertown, Natick, Roslindale, Norwood, and nearby towns.
While non-medical in nature, the care provided by Visiting Angels Newton/Canton
can make a positive impact on your loved
one's happiness and quality of life. Call us at 617-795-2727 for information or
visit our website at https://visitingangels.com/newton.
