Patient & Family Resource Blog

The Benefits of Having an In-home Caregiver

 

Most seniors want to “age in place” in their own homes. According to a study conducted by the AARP, 90 percent of senior intend to continue living in their current home for the next five to 10 years. Blize’s private duty homecare helps seniors achieve this goal, by assisting seniors with the daily tasks of living. Here are just some of the services we provide and how they can help your loved one live a more fulfilling life.

Companionship and Life Enrichment

One of the greatest benefits of home care is often overlooked – the simple act of connecting with another human being. According to a study conducted by geriatricians and the University of California, San Francisco, 43 percent of seniors report feeling lonely at least some of the time. They also discovered that loneliness can be dangerous to one’s health. In this study, seniors who felt lonely had a 45 percent greater risk of death than those who felt connected to others. Additionally, another study conducted at Brigham Young University, shows that the health effect of loneliness is comparable to obesity. An in-home caregiver can provide a source of companionship, someone to talk to, play cards with, or take a trip to the zoo. We’ve discovered that the relationship between caregiver and care receiver become important for both parties, enriching both of their lives.

Maintaining a healthful diet 

If your loved one has a chronic condition, such as Parkinson’s disease, COPD, or diabetes, among many others, we have nurses that can provide a variety services including medication administration, insulin injections, wound care, monitoring vital signs and changing dressings. These services are also available for someone who has recently had surgery or someone who is recovering from an injury.

Personal Care

As we age, many everyday activities, such as dressing and bathing, can become more challenging. An in- home caregiver can help seniors manage day-to-day activities, from medication reminders to assisting with performing a prescribed exercise program, which  ensure their safety and security, while allowing them to remain in their home.

Daily Tasks

A home care professional can also help with daily chores, such as light housekeeping and laundry, as well as errands, such as driving and accompanying people to medical appointments and picking up groceries or prescriptions. They can also help with fall prevention by removing clutter and performing tasks that are increase a senior’s risk of falling.

 Hospice Care

For those who are approaching the end of life, hospice caregivers can help create an environment of comfort and dignity. The primary goal of hospice care is managing pain to help the patient experience the highest quality of life possible. Our hospice team provides compassionate medical care as well as assisting with the activities of daily living, such as dressing, bathing and eating. They can also provide emotional and spiritual support to both the patient their families.

Private duty homecare provides a variety of services designed to increase the well-being of seniors while providing peace of mind to family members.