Personalization Matters in Elder Care Services

 Given the close, personal nature of in-home elder care, Visiting Angels Newton/Canton believes that care should be tailored for each client. Furthermore, our clients must have a say in how their services are personalized.

Exemplary senior home care agencies give clients plenty of choices, allowing them to structure care as they see fit. Other providers offer limited flexibility and control, giving clients limited options for customized care. At a glance, you might not think that this makes a big difference. But in the world of eldercare services, the more control you’re afforded, the more likely there will be a positive outcome and satisfaction of care for your loved one.

Why Customization Matters in Senior Home Care

In-home services allow seniors and disabled adults the ability to “age in place,” i.e., live at home for as long as possible. Without in-home senior care, older adults may need to move into an assisted living or nursing care facility. With elder care, they can continue living in the place where they feel most comfortable and secure: at home. This is crucial for U.S. seniors, 90% of whom wish to age in place for as long as possible.

Yet “aging in place” only tells part of the story. Elderly home care services aren’t only there to help seniors remain in the same physical space. They’re also there to help seniors continue their preferred way of life. A home health aide can prepare favorite meals, assist with light housekeeping, offer accompaniment on social outings, and help senior adults maintain their lifestyle in many other ways.

The ideal elder care services provider will accommodate your loved one’s lifestyle preferences, as well as his or her unique age-related concerns. This is done through customized elder care services, in which the client gets to dictate critical aspects of care. This way, your loved one can build care around their current lifestyle, receiving care on their schedule and according to their personal preferences.

Compare this with pre-set caregiving programs. A pre-set approach forces your loved ones to rebuild their lives around their elder care services. Instead of continuing their usual routine, your loved one may need to accommodate their caregiver’s schedule.

With customized elder care services, your loved one won’t just continue to live in their home. They’ll also continue to live on their terms. The takeaway is simple: The more control they have during the care-planning process, the higher the quality of care they can expect.

Choosing the Right Elderly Home Care Services

Different elder care providers offer various levels of customization. It is recommended that you research home care agencies to find the right provider. You might find the perfect elder care agency on your first consultation or interview several agencies and caregivers before making your decision.

This process will be much easier if you know what you need from a home health aide. Before your first consultation, spend time speaking with your loved one about how they envision their life with eldercare. What are their current routines? How important is it that they continue them? Which aspects of their lifestyle are they most attached to and why? What are their biggest concerns about eldercare?

By asking and thinking about these questions, you and your loved one will have a much stronger sense of what you’re looking for in senior home care services. When evaluating different providers, you may want to ask:

• What kinds of scheduling options are available for my loved one?
• Can schedules be modified around my loved one’s existing routines?
• Will caregivers support my loved one’s favorite pastimes and activities?
• How much input will my loved one have in meal planning?
• Will care services be adjusted for my loved one’s specific needs?
• What systems exist to help my loved one find the right caregiver?

This pre-consultation process will also give you a firm sense of how to personalize care services. This way, you can take an active role in the care-planning process. When you find the right senior home care provider, you’ll be ready to make the necessary choices to ensure high-quality support and peace of mind.

Do you have a loved one in need of senior home care? Call Visiting Angels Newton/Canton today to request a free in-home consultation and discuss your loved one’s options for customized care.

About Visiting Angels Newton/Canton

Visiting Angels Newton/Canton MA is an award-winning home care agency that has been providing high-caliber at-home living assistance to seniors and people with disabilities for over seventeen years. Countless families have benefited from our in-home care, elder companion support, live-in and 24-hour assistance, dementia and Alzheimer’s care, transitional aid, and respite care services in Dedham, Needham, Stoughton, Brookline, Canton, Watertown, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain, Natick, Wellesley, Newton, Norwood, West Roxbury, Roslindale, Upper Back Bay, Westwood, and neighboring communities. The non-medical assistance provided by Visiting Angels Newton/Canton home care providers can make a significant impact on your loved one’s happiness and quality of life.