Communities across the globe have many different ways of caring for their elderly relatives. In the United States, medical technology has evolved to extend the lifespan of both men and women, meaning there are many decades of living after traditional retirement. Better medicine and advanced treatment options also mean that seniors are living with chronic illnesses and diseases, which can affect how well they can take care of themselves.
As the aging baby boomer population reaches this critical point of needing assistance with daily tasks, many are looking to ways they can still live at home but have some kind of in-home care. Fortunately, families have many options to achieve this goal.
Health Challenges for Aging Adults
Seniors are more likely to develop serious and chronic health issues that affect their bodies to the point where they might struggle to do basic daily tasks. Conditions like osteoporosis, heart disease, diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, cancer, broken bones and more can prevent them from taking care of themselves and their home. If they try to do things like housecleaning and preparing meals when they aren’t strong enough or have good balance or stamina, they could actually put themselves at risk of harm or injury.
Beyond Family Caregiving
When it comes to managing a household and daily living tasks for an aging relative, family members who step up and take the responsibilities on are known as family caregivers. Family caregivers may do most of the chores themselves and do things like grocery shop, manage finances, drive elderly loved ones to medical appointments and do housecleaning.
Family caregivers are usually involved in personal care of their aging relative, from helping with baths to getting them ready in the morning. All this one-on-one care can take a lot of time and energy. If the family caregiver has other responsibilities, they have to pick and choose between everything, leaving something or someone untended. Family caregivers soon realize they cannot do it all themselves.
Elder Care Providers Fill the Gap
In the times when family caregivers cannot be with their elderly loved one in the day or night, but the senior is unable to take care of things on their own, elder care providers can help. They are professionals who are trained to help aging adults with daily living in their own home. These elder care providers can assist with personal grooming and hygiene, activities around the house and even light chores.
Above all, they can be companions for the aging adults and on hand in the event of an emergency. Family caregivers are also relieved of guilt and worry when an elder care provider is around, because they know their aging loved one is not alone or struggling. When comparing the benefits of in-home care versus other options, it’s no wonder that elder care provider services are skyrocketing.
When the time comes for families to make some hard decisions about daily care for an elderly loved one, it’s certainly worth it to consider hiring an elder care provider.
IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING ELDER CARE IN INDIANOLA, IA, FOR AN ELDERLY LOVED ONE, CONTACT GOLDEN HEART SENIOR CARE OF DES MOINES, IA AT 515-631-5033. OUR CARING STAFF CAN ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS!