(800) 990-9750

4 Ways to Help Seniors While Promoting Senior Independence

I know a family who did everything they could to keep their Mom/Grandma with chronic health
issues at her home, but at times, they brought her to their homes in their attempt to honor her
wishes to never be admitted to a skilled nursing or assisted living facility. However, the family
members realized this was not a permanent solution, and their senior loved one would require
home care and assistance to maintain her independence and quality of life or transition to a
facility.

In situations like this, family members may try to do too much for their loved ones, stripping
them of their autonomy; or they may struggle with hectic schedules, juggling the
responsibilities of their own families while trying to keep their senior loved ones safe, secure,
healthy, and happy.

Dr Barry J. Jacobs at AARP writes about caring for his mother, “With all my best intentions and
concerted energies, I mostly succeeded in curbing her independence and squelching her spirit.
She didn’t see me as her caring son so much as the overbearing usurper of roles she cherished.”
Daily Caring said, “Sometimes in our eagerness to keep our older adult safe, we end up helping
too much.”

But there are ways to achieve a balance between helping too much or too little.

Dr. Jacobs recommends 4 ways to help seniors while promoting senior independence.

1. Talk and plan together. Before your older adult needs help, have conversations about
how their abilities may change as they age. Find out how they’d like to be supported
when they need help physically, mentally, and/or cognitively. Being proactive and
realistic about the future and preparing for inevitable changes will help you both.
2. Don’t jump in with help too quickly. There may be times when your senior loved one
needs help once or twice, but you shouldn’t assume it is a permanent necessity. It may
be a fluke. Before jumping in to take over, step back and observe their “true” behavior
and confirm your concerns with others.
3. Focus on their abilities and what they can do. Continuing to do as many activities and
tasks as independently as possible helps seniors retain their abilities and boosts self-
esteem. Guide them toward tasks they’re able to do or adapt activities to make them
easier. For example, if setting a table from the beginning is too overwhelming, pull out
the needed dinnerware and flatware and ask your senior loved one to help set the table.
4. Focus on the fact that help is empowering and allows them to do more. Remind your
senior loved one that the purpose of assistance is to enable them to do what they want
as safely and as independently as possible. Dr. Jacobs uses the analogy of a cane. Using
a cane allows someone to walk farther on their own. When you provide help, they’ll be
able to do a lot more than they would without any help at all.

Senior independence is one reason we do what we do at Home Helpers. Seniors value their
independence more than just about anything, and the compassionate, professional caregivers
at Home Helpers are skillfully trained to properly care for and assist seniors in a variety of
circumstances so they can stay independent at home for as long as possible. You can consider
my team of caregivers your family when family can’t be there. They each deliver exceptional in-
home care services to make life easier every day.

I’m happy to offer a FREE Assessment to discuss specific needs and review the home care
services Home Helpers provides, so I can prepare a personalized care plan for you or your
special senior someone to assist with activities of daily living, improve overall quality of life, and
preserve senior independence.

Home Helpers® Bourbonnais/Kankakee/Frankfort proudly serves male and female seniors in
Beecher, Bourbonnais, Bradley, Dwight, Frankfort, Kankakee, Manteno, Mokena, New Lenox,
Orland Park, Palos Heights, Palos Hills, Tinley Park, Watseka, Wilmington, and surrounding
areas. Contact me today to learn more about the many services offered through Home
Helpers® – We are Making Life Easier℠ for you and yours! 815.427.4238

Sources:
Daily Caring
AARP

Home Helpers Bourbonnais Delivers Specialized Parkinson’s Care and Respite for Family Caregivers

A few weeks ago, a Home Helpers caregiver was providing respite care for a family caregiver to a senior gentleman with Parkinson’s disease (PD). The family caregiver is the man’s oldest daughter, and she has two children: a young man who is a senior in high school preparing to graduate and go to college, and a six-year-old girl in the first grade.

The family caregiver talked for months about trying to take a spring break vacation, but she wasn’t sure if it would be possible. When the time finally arrived, one of our caregivers trained to provide specialized Parkinson’s care and the woman’s two siblings were able to provide her and her children the time they needed to take their spring break trip.

The grateful woman told the caregiver, “Being a caregiver to my father is mentally exhausting. There are feelings of utter frustration and complete heartbreak that the person you once knew is no longer.”

The woman’s frustration stems from trying to help her Dad understand the simplest things, like the easiest way to get dressed or how to safely get in and out of a vehicle. “It’s truly like teaching a child while keeping a balance of respect so as not to make him feel useless. It’s not easy for him to understand that he is no longer capable of doing the things he used to do and grasp that myself.”

This is a common theme among family, private, and professional caregivers of aging adults with PD.

PD is a type of neurodegenerative movement disorder that impacts one’s ability to perform common, daily activities. It is a chronic, progressive disease, meaning the symptoms worsen over time.

PD is characterized by its most common of motor symptoms:

  • Tremors (a form of rhythmic shaking)
  • Stiffness or rigidity of the muscles
  • Slowness of movement (bradykinesia)

In addition, PD also manifests in non-motor symptoms including:

  • Sleep problems
  • Constipation
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Fatigue

For family caregivers to loved ones with PD, contending with the physical and mental symptoms can be very challenging and increase those feelings of frustration and heartbreak as mentioned earlier.

The compassionate caregivers I employ at Home Helpers are trained to provide Parkinson’s care to assist aging adults with PD by performing activities of daily living that have become too difficult for them to manage on their own, as well as providing help and relief for family members and caregivers. These services include but are not limited to:

  • Meal Planning/Nutrition – Patients with PD require a diet that will strengthen bones and muscles. Our caregivers understand how to plan a menu and prepare healthy, beneficial meals and snacks.
  • Security and Supervision– Older adults tend to become more unsteady on their feet as they age. When PD is a concern, this presents additional fall risks. Our caregivers understand how to help keep patients with PD safer by providing necessary physical support and minimizing fall risks by putting safety checks in place.
  • Exercise and Mobility – Exercise and movement are important for muscle memory and movement. Doctors may recommend physical therapy or specific exercises for PD patients to stay as safe and mobile as possible. Our caregivers can help PD patients with home exercise routines and provide transportation assistance to the gym or other physical activities.
  • Respite for Family Members/Caregivers – One of our most important services is respite care for weary family members. Like the woman said earlier, PD can be challenging, frustrating, exhausting, and heartbreaking, especially as the condition progresses. Our compassionate caregivers can provide respite and expertise to stressed-out family members while keeping their loved ones safe and comfortable.

At Home Helpers, my team and I find it very rewarding to help seniors by providing in-home care services and support 24/7/365. It is especially gratifying to lend a steady hand to senior clients with PD, because they require more specialized care services. Furthermore, they are always happy to step up and provide respite for family caregivers who desperately need a break.

If you or someone you love has PD, my team can provide specialized PD assistance and support, as well as respite care, to help make life easier. I gladly offer a FREE Assessment to discuss specific needs and create a personalized care plan unique to you and your needs.

Home Helpers® Bourbonnais/Kankakee/Frankfort proudly serves male and female seniors, Veterans, and the differently abled in Beecher, Bourbonnais, Bradley, Dwight, Frankfort, Kankakee, Manteno, Mokena, New Lenox, Orland Park, Palos Heights, Palos Hills, Tinley Park, Watseka, Wilmington, and surrounding areas. Contact me today to learn more about the many services offered through Home Helpers® – We are Making Life Easier℠ for you and yours! 815.427.4238

Source:

Michael J. Fox Foundation

Categories

24 Hour Live-In Care

24 Hour Care and Live-In Care in Bourbonnais, Illinois

24 Hour Care and Live-In Care Services in Bourbonnais, Illinois

Seniors in Bourbonnais, Illinois do not have to be alone when they need care!

As we age, there may come a day when in-home care is needed. All of us
want to be at home as long as possible, so understanding your options
ahead of time is extremely beneficial. For seniors who need skilled and
compassionate caregivers, 24-hour care or Live-In care are often excellent
alternatives to nursing homes or assisted living facilities. But what
is the difference between these two options?

Home Helpers 24 Hour Care Options

Shift Services:

This option provides the compassionate and skilled care your loved one
may need around-the-clock. It’s easy to find caregivers in Bourbonnais
that come in during the daytime hours, but your loved one may need help
during the night too. Our caregivers can work in shifts, tailoring a care
plan that works best for you. You would not need to provide sleeping or
living quarters for this type of care since the caregivers would rotate
in shifts. It is a great way of knowing your elderly loved one is never
alone. Our caregivers are not only highly-skilled but genuinely compassionate.

Live-In Services:

This option is just how it sounds. One or more caregivers would tend to
your loved one during the day and sleep in the home at night, making them
more accessible when needed. These caregivers will sleep in the home and
awaken at night to assist your loved one. You would provide the caregiver
with sleeping quarters. For the client who cannot be alone due to conditions
such as dementia and Alzheimer’s but may not need constant medical
care, live-in services may be the best option. The hours and type of care
provided can be tailored to meet your loved one’s specific needs,
giving family members assurance that their loved one in Bourbonnais is
looked after at all times.

Benefits of 24/7 Care from Home Helpers:

  • Help is always there! Even if it’s going to the toilet, your loved
    one will always have the assistance they need.
  • Companionship and comfort that comes from the same familiar and friendly
    faces each day.
  • Help preparing meals.
  • Assistance with personal care such as bathing and getting dressed.
  • Light housekeeping and assistance with laundry.
  • Timely medication administration.
  • Immediate assistance in case of emergency, including communicating with
    loved ones.

With our 24-Hour caregiving services, you will no longer have to be afraid
your loved one in Bourbonnais won’t have the help they need.Whether it’s just daily assistance with normal tasks or more attentive
care with live-in services, we provide the most compassionate and skilled
care available! Also, with live-in caregivers, you will not have to worry about payroll
taxes, liability or worker’s compensation insurance since they are
directly employed by our agency.

Let us take away the worry and stress that comes with being a caregiver
so that you can just enjoy your loved one while they remain at home where
they are most comfortable and secure!

If you need 24-hour care or live-in care for a loved one in Bourbonnais,
Illinois, please
Contact Us or call us at
(815) 427-4238.

Our 24-hour care and live-in services are also available in
Bradley, Braidwood,
Dwight, Herscher,
Kankakee,
Manteno, Momence,
Watseka, and
Wilmington, IL.

Homemaker Services

Homemaker Services in Wilmington, IL

Everyone enjoys a clean home, but for the elderly or disabled, even simple
housekeeping tasks can become unmanageable. An untidy home can contribute
to feelings of depression, isolation, and hopelessness – it can
even be dangerous, increasing the risk of injury or illness. And it may
also be the first sign your loved one in Wilmington, IL,
is struggling and needs extra help at home.

Home Helpers offers homemaker services in Wilmington, IL,
that helps create a safe, clean, and comfortable living environment so
your loved one can stay at home, living independently with a greater sense
of confidence and security – and with greater peace of mind for you.

  • Services We Offer Include:
  • Laundry and changing bed linens
  • Ironing
  • Grocery shopping
  • Meal preparation
  • Cleaning and organizing bathrooms
  • Vacuuming and sweeping
  • Pet care and plant care assistance
  • Replacing air filters
  • Replacing batteries in smoke detectors and other household safety features
  • Kitchen cleaning and organization (including checking expiration dates)
  • Eliminating tripping hazards and safe-proofing the home

Let Home Helpers’ homemaker and housekeeping services help make a
difference in the confidence, safety, and security of your family member
as they continue to live independently in Wilmington with
the support they need.

Please call us at
(815) 427-4238 and
schedule your free in-home care assessment.

24 Hour Live-In Care

24 Hour Care and Live-In Care in Manteno, IL

Seniors in Manteno, IL do not have to be alone
when they need care!

As we age, there may come a day when in-home care is needed. All of us
want to be at home as long as possible, so understanding your options
ahead of time is extremely beneficial. For seniors who need skilled and
compassionate caregivers, 24-hour care or Live-In care are often excellent
alternatives to nursing homes or assisted living facilities. But what
is the difference between these two options?

  • Home Helpers 24 Hour Care Options
  • Shift Services: This option provides the compassionate and skilled care your loved one
    may need around-the-clock. It’s easy to find caregivers in Inglewood
    that come in during the daytime hours, but your loved one may need help
    during the night too. Our caregivers can work in shifts, tailoring a care
    plan that works best for you. You would not need to provide sleeping or
    living quarters for this type of care since the caregivers would rotate
    in shifts. It is a great way of knowing your elderly loved one is never
    alone. Our caregivers are not only highly-skilled but genuinely compassionate.
  • Live-In Services: This option is just how it sounds. One or more caregivers would tend to
    your loved one during the day and sleep in the home at night, making them
    more accessible when needed. These caregivers will sleep in the home and
    awaken at night to assist your loved one. You would provide the caregiver
    with sleeping quarters. For the client who cannot be alone due to conditions
    such as dementia and Alzheimer’s but may not need constant medical
    care, live-in services may be the best option. The hours and type of care
    provided can be tailored to meet your loved one’s specific needs,
    giving family members assurance that their loved one in Inglewood is looked
    after at all times.

If you need 24-hour care or live-in care for a loved one in Manteno,
IL,please call us at(815) 427-4238.

24 Hour Live-In Care

24 Hour Care and Live-In Care in Tinley Park, IL

Seniors in Tinley Park, IL do not have to be alone
when they need care!

As we age, there may come a day when in-home care is needed. All of us
want to be at home as long as possible, so understanding your options
ahead of time is extremely beneficial. For seniors who need skilled and
compassionate caregivers, 24-hour care or Live-In care are often excellent
alternatives to nursing homes or assisted living facilities. But what
is the difference between these two options?

  • Home Helpers 24 Hour Care Options
  • Shift Services: This option provides the compassionate and skilled care your loved one
    may need around-the-clock. It’s easy to find caregivers in Inglewood
    that come in during the daytime hours, but your loved one may need help
    during the night too. Our caregivers can work in shifts, tailoring a care
    plan that works best for you. You would not need to provide sleeping or
    living quarters for this type of care since the caregivers would rotate
    in shifts. It is a great way of knowing your elderly loved one is never
    alone. Our caregivers are not only highly-skilled but genuinely compassionate.
  • Live-In Services: This option is just how it sounds. One or more caregivers would tend to
    your loved one during the day and sleep in the home at night, making them
    more accessible when needed. These caregivers will sleep in the home and
    awaken at night to assist your loved one. You would provide the caregiver
    with sleeping quarters. For the client who cannot be alone due to conditions
    such as dementia and Alzheimer’s but may not need constant medical
    care, live-in services may be the best option. The hours and type of care
    provided can be tailored to meet your loved one’s specific needs,
    giving family members assurance that their loved one in Inglewood is looked
    after at all times.

If you need 24-hour care or live-in care for a loved one in Tinley Park,
IL,
please call us at
(815) 427-4238.

© Copyright 2024 H. H. Franchising Systems, Inc, All Rights Reserved.