At Home Care for the Aging

| Sunday, January 1, 2012
By Laura Bonson


No one really wants to have to consider the idea of sending their aging loved one to a residential facility. However, more people are faced with this decision as our population ages and baby boomers reach the age where they require more attention. Live-in care is an option that allows your family member to receive the care they need in the familiar surroundings of their home.

You may have discovered, however, that your loved one needs more help with everyday tasks. They may have full mental capacity, but the aging process has stripped them of their ability to perform the tasks they used to be able to handle. Your loved one may be wishing to hold on to some measure of independence.

One of the best options is to have a family member move in with the loved one and help with the care needed. In most cases, however, family members have built their own lives and can't realistically provide the around the clock care needed. Residential care isn't necessarily the only option.

Live-in care is an option that family members may want to consider to help their loved one. A care provider that specializes in live-in care can offer help with meals, personal grooming, and can provide company. They can also ensure that the family member follows any orders given by a Doctor, to include taking medication as prescribed and scheduled.

A fully trained care provider will live in the home with your loved one, in their own room. As the client, you will work with the individual care giver, or the company that provides the personnel, to draft an agreement that spells out the expectations and the specifics of the contract. If your loved one is able, make sure you include them in these discussions.

You will want to make sure you have a reputable care provider that is licensed and bonded. Check their references and seek feedback from other individuals that have used the service of this provider. Keep in mind the personalities of your loved one and the care provider. You would like them to be compatible and some with which they can connect.

Make sure your care provider has the training necessary to meet any physical limitations of your loved one. The aging process may have led to a need for physical therapy or exercise. Most live-in care specialists can provide these services for you and save the expense of hiring another professional for these tasks.

When we reach the aid where it is time for us to make decisions for our elderly parents or loved ones, we want to make sure that we are making the best decision for their care. There are many benefits to providing live-in care for your loved one. In most cases, both you and your family member come out winning in this situation.




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