As we get older, we will all need help to some degree with daily living activities. Senior home care services can meet these needs. Read today’s blog to learn more about the services provided through senior home care and how they can benefit you, a family member, or a loved one.
What Is Senior Home Care?
Most people want to stay in their home after retirement to live as independently and safely as possible and pursue their interests to the maximum degree. Quality of life is keenly tied into being able to continue to live in the home environment they love and are accustomed to.
With the assistance from senior home care services, people can continue to live independently and safely and thrive in their own homes. Oftentimes, a loved one such as a spouse becomes the primary caregiver in a relationship. With home care services in place, you and your loved one can continue spending quality time together knowing that a competent and responsible caregiver is on hand. In the event that you want to meet up with friends or get out of the house, you can do so with the peace of mind that your loved one is in good hands.
When Might You Need These Services?
You or your loved ones may need these services when you can no longer continue to live independently without some degree of help from a caregiver. Care can be long-term, or it can be provided on a temporary or respite care basis, such as after an accident, a period of illness, or following surgery.
Let’s go over the different types of senior home care services that are available.
Personal Care Services
Personal care services may be appropriate for someone who needs standby or hands-on assistance from a certified nursing assistant (CNA) or home health aide (HHA) with one or more of the following tasks associated with daily care needs:
- Washing, showering, or bathing
- Dressing and undressing
- Grooming basics, including combing hair and brushing teeth
- Getting out of bed, out of a chair, out of the sofa, or any other types of transfers
- Walking assistance, whether walking independently or with a cane, walker, crutches, or wheelchair
- Assistance with using the toilet or with incontinence care
- Help with exercises that are prescribed by a physician or physical therapist
- Reminders to take medicines at specific times
- Helping in the kitchen with meal planning, meal preparation, or with eating
- Monitoring vital signs — blood pressure, heart rate, respiration, and temperature
Individuals who have had a stroke, are recovering from a heart attack, have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s, are experiencing symptoms related to diabetes, or are struggling with other health challenges may benefit from a number of personal care services provided daily.
Homemaker Companion Care Services
This level of care refers to social interaction needs more than personal care tasks. A homemaker companion caregiver provides assistance with homemaking and companionship activities such as:
- Helping with grocery shopping and doing other errands
- Doing light housekeeping tasks such as vacuuming, dusting, washing and drying dishes, wiping off countertops, sweeping and mopping floors, making beds, and changing linens
- Meal planning and meal preparation and serving
- Doing the laundry
- Spending quality time with the person
- Engaging in activities with the person, including playing games, taking part in hobbies, or watching movies together
- Accompanying the individual on medical appointments and taking notes
- Picking up prescriptions and other medications or needed items
The role of a companion caregiver is critical. In addition to helping with errands, homemaking and miscellaneous tasks, the caregiver is there to engage the individual with conversation, company, and activities — oftentimes a great way to combat loneliness and depression.
Skilled Nursing Care
This level of care requires assistance from a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Registered Nurse (RN). Skilled nursing care may include one or more of the following:
- Blood sugar testing
- Administering PEG tube feedings
- Providing nursing oversight
- Providing after-surgery care
- Administering injections and medications
- Accompanying the individual to doctors’ appointments
- Assisting with the implementation of medically-required diets
- Conducting home safety inspections
- Providing wound care
- Conducting catheter maintenance
Live-In Care Services
Live-in care service means that a caregiver lives in your home and assists with daily needs. This service is provided by a certified nursing assistant or home health aide and can include both personal care services and companion care services.
You must be able to offer the caregiver a separate room to sleep and store their belongings. They are entitled to at least eight (8) consecutive hours of uninterrupted sleep.
Contact Our Home Health Care Company In Naples, FL
Here in Naples, FL, Collier Home Care (CHC) strives to meet the needs of seniors wherever they reside. CHC is local, family-owned, licensed, bonded, and insured. Our team is committed to providing you and your family or loved ones with a stellar home care experience, exceptional patient care and customer service, compassionate caregivers, unmatched quality services, and competitive rates.
To learn more about the home care services we offer, please either visit us online at www.collierhomecare.com or call our office at (239) 920-3902. We will be more than happy to address your questions and explain the different services our company offers. Please visit us online or give us a call today!