Worrying about your aging parent is normal. Age brings with it a decline in social interactions, physical frailty, and reduced mobility. People that are elderly have to depend on medications for various conditions affecting their physical health.
While some seniors can comfortably care for themselves and are still vigorous, others have to depend on reminders to take medication or move about to run. Mom's Home Care in Canoga Park is a certified caregiver institution designed to offer senior care services.
We help you choose the care program that best suits the needs of your loved one.
We care for those who wish to remain in their homes by providing nurses and caregivers at your loved one’s home.
Need for Senior Care
People age differently and will need different care options at different times. The common themes across seniors are decreased social interactions (due to death and retirement), reduced physical agility, and health problems.
You must address these problems by providing care and companionship to prevent depression and cognitive decline.
The specific situation of your loved one will determine whether he or she needs additional help. In most cases, you can meet the needs of your loved one, especially if you live together. However, the situation gets complicated if you have to leave for work and leave your loved one unattended.
Deciding to hire a caregiver at home is a big decision. It requires serious thought and consultation with your loved one. With the help of the senior, you can settle on a choice that meets both your needs.
When determining whether your loved one needs care, look out for the following signs:
- Neglected personal hygiene: even taking care of our bodies becomes harder as we age. You might notice that your mom or dad hardly bathes or has less regard for grooming; it might be time to offer assistance.
- Missed payments and late bills: memory declines with age, and your loved one could miss a few crucial bills. If you notice an increase in unpaid bills, then it is time to consider a senior care program.
- A decline in the physical health of your loved one: as your mom or dad ages, his or her physical health will decline. However, if he or she experiences some conditions such as falls, immobility, and diseases that affect movement, you might need additional help.
- Forgetting to take medication, or taking more than is recommended
- Neglected housekeeping tasks including cleaning, purchasing groceries
- Mood swings and sudden behavioral changes
Technology has diversified senior care programs, making it possible for your loved one to remain in his or her home for as long as possible.
Talk to your loved one about getting additional help. His or her views are crucial in adjusting to having a caregiver at home.
Adapting Your Home to the Needs of a Senior
Most people prefer growing spending their old age in familiar surroundings. They prefer to stay in a home where they raised their children and made memories. In most cases, it is the best care option since your loved one still feels in control.
However, you have to make several adjustments to make it easier to live inside that home. The changes will depend on the physical and mental health of your loved one. They may include:
- Clearing paths by removing rugs, furniture, and cords to enhance safety during movement. Having items cluttering the pathways is risky for your loved one. He or she can trip and fall, leading to complications such as dislocated hips.
- Widen doors and hallways to accommodate a wheelchair or a walker: seniors might need mobility assistance from a wheelchair or walker. Therefore, you must create sufficient space to ease movement.
- Install handrails on stairs: most stairs have handrails, but with a senior in the home, make sure that these handrails are comfortable and sturdy.
- Install ramps both indoors and outdoors to accommodate the changing mobility needs of your loved one. These modifications will make it easier to navigate the outdoors and indoors without the risk of tripping on stairs. Install handrails for added support and balance.
- Move essential rooms downstairs: if you are worried about your loved one climbing up and down the stairs, you can move the most commonly used rooms downstairs. You will reduce the distance he or she has to cover and reduce the risk of falls on stairs.
- Lower cabinets and work surfaces to reduce strain and the risk of tripping: when cabinets are too high to reach, your loved one might need to use a footstool, thus increasing the risk of falling. Reachable facilities will also encourage independence.
- Increase lighting: vision declines with age; therefore, ensure that the senior’s house is well lit. Light also improves mood and can positively influence the mental and emotional health of your loved one. With more light, he or she can see things more clearly hence avoiding accidents.
- Install non-slip flooring in the house, especially in the bathroom: the bathroom is a wet area, which increases the risk of slips and falls. Therefore, install non-slip floors to ensure that your loved one is safe. Involve your loved one, if possible, in choosing the type of non-slip flooring they would love in the home.
- Replace door knobs with lever-style handles to ease the opening of doors
Modifying the home to suit the changing needs of your loved one can affect the overall quality of life for your loved one. At Mom’s Home Care, we offer residents of Canoga Park remodeling services to make their homes as safe as they can be.
Even after modifying your home, you might need additional care services to help your mom or dad handle tasks that are difficult for him or her. These services include:
- Companionship: a trained caregiver can accompany your loved one during meal times, and when your loved one needs him or her. Maintaining conversations can help your loved one eat better, prevent depression, and slow down memory loss.
- Housekeeping services which include cleaning, laundry, grocery shopping
- Meal planning and preparation to ensure that your loved one is getting all the nutrients he or she needs
- Toileting care
- Running errands
- Medication reminders
We tailor our live-in home care services to suit the needs of your loved one, your schedule, and your budget. For instance, if you live with your mom or dad and have to leave for work, we can provide a live-in caregiver to cater to the needs of your loved one while you are at work.
With such care, you can focus on other activities instead of worrying about the well-being of your loved ones.
Our services are not limited to daily care for your loved one. We offer residents of Canoga Park with additional services when your loved one:
- Is hospitalized or recovering from an illness
- Has a chronic health condition
- Is at risk due to dementia
- Is terminally ill
We also offer flexible schedules depending on your needs, those of your loved one, and your budget.
Finding a Live-In Caregiver
The benefits of a live-in caregiver are appealing to most clients as your loved one can continue staying in a familiar environment. In addition, he or she can maintain their dignity and sense of independence. Aging in a familiar environment also promotes mental well-being.
Finding a caregiver can be hard, especially since you will need to allow a person you do not know into your home. You might also be concerned about the safety and needs of your loved one.
Choosing the right caregiver will give you the peace of mind knowing that your loved one is safe. Before choosing a caregiver, you need to establish the needs of your loved one. Learn the medical needs, grooming, and toileting requirements. You can create a list of the activities the caregiver will handle.
The first step in finding the right caregiver is to examine the person’s experience, qualifications, and experiences. A caregiver must have the necessary skills required to handle the job. You should also get deeper by examining whether the caregiver has dealt with other people with needs similar to those of your loved one.
Another great tip is to be upfront and honest with the caregiver from the start. State your expectations and the scope of the needs he or she will fulfill for your loved one. For example, if your loved one needs toileting care and round-the-clock care, make sure the caregiver knows this.
Being honest from the beginning ensures that you have the right caregiver who understands the responsibility he or she has. You will also avoid having to switch caregivers in case the one you have is underqualified to cater to your loved one.
Speaking of honesty, ensure that you inform potential caregivers about leave, overtime, and holidays. Let your caregiver know the schedule upfront to avoid conflicts. You can also negotiate the schedule to meet the needs of your loved one without straining the caregiver.
When you hire a caregiver, give him or her a trial period. This period allows you to learn how the caregiver works. You will also be better placed to identify whether your loved one is comfortable with the caregiver.
However, it might take some time for your loved one to adjust to a new caregiver, especially if he or she was resistant to the idea of a caregiver.
Helping Your Loved One Adjust to a Caregiver
Your loved one might be resistant to the idea of a loved one. Most of them will assert their independence and ability to cater to their needs fully. Such resistance can make it hard for the caregiver to perform optimally.
The best way to help your loved one adjust to the idea of a caregiver is having an open conversation about it. Sit down with your loved one and explain why he or she needs help. You should also listen to the side of your loved one. Let him or her express their fears and needs.
Reassure your loved one that getting a caregiver does not replace your connection as a family. Make plans with your loved one and visit him or her occasionally. Let your loved one visit friends or welcome guests if that was part of the routine.
Keeping in touch with your loved one will help you monitor the adjustment to a new caregiver. In addition, it will make your loved feel cared for and make a faster transition into having the caregiver around.
You can make it easier for your parent to communicate with friends and family by providing an easy-to-read address book and a telephone.
Create a regular routine that does not interfere with the previous routine. For example, if he or she often goes to the library, ensure that the new caregiver will take your loved one to the library. Consistency is important as we age since it creates a sense of grounding and security.
When creating the routine, ensure that you account for the needs, hobbies, and interests of your loved one. Including things your parent loves will make the transition easier.
Finally, be patient and realistic with your expectations. If your loved one was open to the idea of a caregiver, the transition is smoother, unlike when he or she resisted the idea. During the transition period, show your love and support for your parents. Make them feel as important by doing special activities together.
Find a Home Care Provider Near Me
It is sometimes inevitable that you or a loved one will need assistance as he or she ages. Studies show that at least 70% of the American population will need assisted care living. At Mom’s Home Care in Canoga Park, we pride ourselves in providing respectful and affordable senior care services for your loved one. We understand the difficulties families and seniors experience when adjusting to a caregiver. Therefore, we strive to make the process as smooth as possible for everyone.
Our caregivers are trained to treat our seniors with love, compassion, and respect. If you are considering enrolling yourself, or a loved one a caregiver, contact us at 323-244-4789 for a consultation.
