In-home care is exactly how it sounds. It's a service where your senior parent receives care in their home. They age in place, in the home they love, and don't have to consider selling, packing up, and moving to an unfamiliar area.
In-home care providers offer an array of services that help your parents live independently with confidence. Here are six surprising ways in-home care aides help out.
Animal Care
Your mom and dad have pets, but you're not confident they're taking care of them properly. Does your mom have dementia and forget to feed her pets? Your dad fell, and until his ankle fully heals, he can't take his dog for a walk without someone else's help.
In-home care providers can help your parents with pet care. With a caregiver's help, your parents will remember it's time for their dog to have another dose of heartworm preventative. They'll know when to clean their cat's litter box. They have someone available to help schedule veterinary visits.
Appointments
Have caregivers schedule appointments for your parents. Not only do caregivers schedule important medical and dental check-ups, but they can also drive your mom and dad to their doctors and dentists. They can also arrange tasks like furnace cleanings and heating fuel deliveries for your parents.
Companionship
Companion care is one of the most overlooked benefits of in-home care. Your parents aren't lonely or alone. They have someone stopping by to see how they're doing. The caregiver can sit down to chat during the visit or join your mom and dad for a meal.
Errands
You often have to take a half-day to run errands for your parents. Whether it's picking up prescriptions or taking them shopping for groceries, it impacts your schedule.
Caregivers can run errands for them. Let caregivers pick up medications on their way to your parents' house. Order groceries online and have your parents' caregiver stop by and get them.
Organization
Your parents' house got cluttered. You cleaned up and have everything sorted, but the next time you visit, it's cluttered again. In-home care providers can help your senior parent go through their belongings and reduce the clutter by throwing away things they don’t need and organizing the rest.
If the clutter appears each time your parents go shopping, have a caregiver helping out after the shopping trip. The caregiver can carry in bags and put things in their proper place.
Peace of Mind
Wouldn't it be nice to have peace of mind that your parents are not alone all week? Talk to an expert about in-home care to find out what services are available in your parents' town. With caregivers stopping by throughout the week, you never have to worry that they're without heat, food, or water. Call an in-home care agency to learn more.