Home Care - How Can It Help

Some form of senior care is something everyone who gets to a certain age must deal with, determining the right type is the important decision.  It is everyone's goal to remain in their home as they age.  Home care services can be a great way to make that happen as long as the senior remains safe and cared for.  Aging Avenues can help you make sure this is the right option.

Even if a senior doesn't have a severe medical condition often it is difficult for them to keep up with the basic activities of daily living.  Home care services can help with things simple things like cooking, shopping for groceries and some light housekeeping.  Even though sometimes families can help with these chores it is nice to give them a break. One of the most important benefits of using home care services is that it gives the senior a companion, someone to count on coming to be with them regularly.  Most seniors develop a bound with their caregivers.  If the home care agency sends a caregiver that they don't bond with don't be afraid to ask for someone else.  Remember some seniors will not be happy with anyone helping them. 

Often seniors become unsteady getting in and out of the bathtub so they just avoid taking showers.  Hiring a home care service to help with personal care like bathing and dressing can be an option.  Although home care attendants are not allowed to perform hands on care, stand by assistance is often all seniors need.  Home care attendants can also remind seniors to take their medications.  They are not allowed to actually give them their medications but just making sure they take it is often all that is needed. 

Most Indianapolis Home Care agencies have been certified by the state and meet all standard regulations.  Caregivers for home care agencies are usually subjected to a criminal and drug screening.  Training is usually given on CPR, transferring and assisting a senior without injury and communicating with dementia patients by the home care agencies. 

You could even use a home care provider to take and attend your loved one's doctors appointment if you're unable to.  It is important to have another set of ears when visiting the doctor so that you know what's going on.  Most home care companies have a minimum number of hours, usually three per visit and three times a week.  Home care services average from $17-20 per hour.  This is an affordable option as opposed to an assisted living until they need more supervision.  There are ways to help pay for home care to avoid going into a facility though.  Especially if someone has a declining condition that could land them in a nursing home at some time, I recommend they spend all their money to keep them in their home as long as possible.  You can even tap into the equity in their home by getting a Reverse Mortgage.  There is also a benefit available for Veteran's and their spouses that helps pay for home care expenses called the Improved Pension benefit.

To help decide if home care is a good option for your loved one an evaluation from a professional, like Aging Avenues can be beneficial.  We often see things that you may not be aware of and help you make the right choice in providers.  Aging Avenues serves

• Indianapolis and Speedway
• Greenwood, Franklin, Beech Grove
• Lawrence, Carmel, Fishers, Noblesville
• Danville, Avon, Plainfield, Brownsburg, Mooresville
• Lebanon, Zionsville

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