Is Home Care Right For Your Mom?
Your mom is aging and wants to stay in her home. One way to do this is by hiring caregivers to help out. How do you know if home care is the best decision for her?
Sit down with your mom and ask these questions. Once you have her answers, gather the family and discuss her feelings and theirs.
How Well Does She Do With Daily Activities?
Activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living are important indicators of the necessity for home care. If your mom cannot remember to take her daily prescriptions, she needs someone to remind her.
Suppose she is no longer able to drive to stores or her doctor’s office. Can you take off all of the days she’d need a ride? Would caregivers help you avoid having to cut your hours at work or rearrange your plans?
ADLs and IADLs include things like cooking meals, paying bills, shopping for household supplies, and cleaning the home. If she struggles with any of these, it indicates a need for home care.
Does She Feel Lonely or Isolated?
How many visitors does your mom get each week? Does she ever say that she feels lonely? Caregivers from a home care agency can offer companionship services. Your mom doesn’t have to feel alone or isolated.
Her caregiver can take her out to lunch or a museum, join her on appointment days, and help her shop for groceries, clothes, and other essentials. She always has a friend available on the days she wants company.
Is It Hard for Her to Shower, Dress, and Take Care of Her Oral Care?
Can your mom shower and dress on her own? Does she put on clothing that’s appropriate for the weather? If she’s having difficulty brushing and styling her hair, zipping her pants, and putting on shoes, she needs someone to help.
What about her teeth? Can she brush and floss her teeth on her own, or does arthritis pain in the finger joints make it impossible? Home care helps with personal care, grooming, and hygiene.
Don’t Wait, Hire Caregivers Now
Home care is one of the best ways for your mom to stay independent as she ages. With a helping hand, she lives at home without risking her safety or happiness. A home care aide assists with more challenging activities of daily living.
There is no fear of the caregiver taking over. Caregivers will step back and let her do the other tasks she can do on her own. Call a home care agency to learn more.