What do caregivers do? Have you ever stopped to look at the long list of services that a local home care agency offers? Your parents want to age at home, but they need a helping hand. That’s where caregivers come in. Here are seven services that will improve your parents’ lives.
Companionship
A leading reason to hire home care services is companionship. Your parents don’t have many friends still in the area. They go weeks without seeing you because you live in another state. With companionship services, caregivers stop by to visit your parents.
Your parents have someone to talk to, play games with, or watch movies with. Their caregivers can take them out to museums, outdoor concerts, or to see a play. They don’t have to feel lonely anymore.
Errands
Your parents stopped driving after their last eye exams. They have a more challenging time running errands now. They can have a caregiver run errands for them. Their caregiver can pick up prescription refills, get necessary groceries, or drop off donations.
Help With Housekeeping
It’s harder for your mom to vacuum the stairs to the bedrooms. Your dad struggles to see the stuck-on messes on baking dishes. It’s too dangerous for them to get up on a stepladder to dust the ceiling fan blades. Caregivers can help with light housekeeping chores.
Meal Preparation
When your parents no longer feel up to cooking, they may start turning to takeout and heat-and-eat meals. They’re often higher in saturated fat, sodium, and added sugar. Caregivers can cook meals for them.
A caregiver will serve meals, wash dishes after, and put clean dishes away. Wiping down the counter and stovetop is another task caregivers can do for your parents.
Medication Reminders
Your mom or dad often forgets to take a prescribed medication. At that point, you worry about them taking too many doses trying to catch up. Caregivers can remind your parents to take their medicines and put them away in a safe place once they have.
Regular Laundry Services
Instead of having your parents struggle to carry the laundry basket to the laundry room, you can hire caregivers to do the laundry for them. Not only will the clothes get washed and dried, but caregivers can also put everything away for your parents.
Transportation
Your parents no longer drive, but that doesn’t mean they have to stay home. Caregivers can drive them to stores, medical offices, area museums and entertainment venues, and their friends’ houses.
Arrange caregivers by making a call. A home care specialist can go over these and other services. With the specialist’s help, you’ll decide how many hours are needed and the prices for caregivers.