We can't always help our aging loved ones as much as we would like. Whether because we live too far away, because our work or kids take all our time, or because our loved ones need professional care that we can't provide, sometimes we have to look for someone else who can give them the care and attention they deserve. Finding a caregiver for your loved one is sometimes the best decision even if you live nearby and are an active part of your parents’ or grandparents' lives. As much as we want to care for our loved ones ourselves, it's no secret that caregiving can be exhausting and can lead to burnout. If you are trying to manage a career and/or a family at the same time as caring for your loved ones, you might find that you don't have enough energy to commit to either role. Finding a professional caregiver from a reputable agency allows you to live your own life with the peace of mind that your loved ones are in good hands.

And you don't need to wait for a medical emergency to get your loved ones help at home. Caregivers provide a wide range of services, not limited to nursing. They also provide company, housekeeping, help with meal preparation or getting groceries, running errands, or helping out with transportation needs. If you have a loved one who needs some extra help around the house that you can't provide, a caregiver might be an excellent option, even if your loved one is still in good health.

Signs your loved one might need a caregiver:

• Unable to socialize as much as they used to, loneliness

• Can’t keep up with housework, cooking, or errands by themselves anymore

• Trouble with mobility

• Needing regular help or supervision with medication, hygiene, or other health concerns

• Confusion, forgetfulness, or mental decline

Different kinds of homecare and what your senior loved one might need:

Companionship

As we age our social circles get smaller. Loneliness is a huge problem when it comes to seniors and can lead to a number of health concerns, including an increased risk of dementia . If you have a parent or grandparent who spends much of their time alone, they might benefit from companionship care . Caregivers can give your loved one the socialization they need to stay happy and healthy by playing games, reading to them, accompanying them to social events, or going on walks together. Caregivers providing companionship can also meet other needs mentioned below like providing transportation, housekeeping, or nursing services.

Housekeeping

Does your loved one have trouble keeping up with chores around the house? Do they need help cooking, cleaning, or running errands? Caregivers can help with these things. Many seniors find it difficult to admit that they can’t keep up with their household chores the way they used to, but there should never be any shame in asking for help. Rather than just hire a cleaner to come in once a week to tidy, getting a caregiver can provide in-depth support for your loved one that goes beyond keeping the house neat. Caregivers can also help with meal prep and grocery shopping to make sure your loved one’s nutritional needs are being met, for example. They can give drives to and from doctor’s appointments, or any other errands. And they allow your loved one to keep their independence and let them stay in their own home, which is so important for both their pride and their comfort.

Dementia care

Providing care for dementia patients is challenging, and many families default to moving their loved one into a care facility where they can be looked after. But there are caregivers who are specifically trained in dementia care who can look after these patients in the comfort and familiarity of the patient's own home. This option is less stressful for everyone involved, especially if the dementia patient still has a loving spouse or other family living with them who want to be near them, even if they can't personally provide care.

If you are already caring for a loved one with dementia at home, it’s a good idea to introduce other caregivers early on so your loved one becomes familiar with a routine that doesn’t involve only you. This allows you—or any other family member caring for them—to take some much-needed time off here and there without upsetting your loved one’s routine. Self-care is extremely important when it comes to caregiving, and having another caregiver around whom your loved one already knows and trusts will take the pressure off you and keep you from burning out.

Benefits of keeping dementia patients at home:

“Of the 5.2 million people in the United States who have Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia, 70 percent remain at home, an option that’s been shown to keep people healthier and happier and help them live longer,” writes Johns Hopkins Medicine .

People with dementia benefit from structure and routines. If they can keep the old routines they had pre-dementia, they will be less stressed as the disease progresses. The Alzheimer’s Project blog writes: “Daily routines help reduce stress and anxiety because they help everyone involved to know what to expect. Persons with dementia thrive on familiarity. Familiarity is important because dementia gradually impairs a person’s ability to plan, initiate, and complete an activity. By creating an environment of familiar routines and activities, it allows them to feel comforted and calm.” Allowing dementia patients to remain at home under the care of people they are familiar with lets them keep their old routines rather than uproot them to a new environment.

Nursing

If your loved one has medical needs but they don't want to move into a care facility, a caregiver might be able to look after them at home. Caregivers can help your loved one organise their medication schedule, help them with their mobility, hygiene, and nutrition needs and with daily exercise, provide basic wound care such as for bedsores, or provide catheter care, for example. Seniors have a wide range of nursing needs that have to be met, but they don't need to be hospitalized or relocated to a care facility to make that happen.

Nursing services provided by Mavencare caregivers:

• Wound Care

• Mobility Training

• Pain and symptom management

• IV Therapy/Injections

• Dementia Care

• Palliative Care

• Foot Care

• Occupational Therapy

• Ventilator care

Deciding how to care for your loved one as they age isn’t easy, but you don’t have to do it alone. Start thinking about your options early, and if you’re considering getting a caregiver to help look after your loved one, reach out to us at Mavencare . Our care advisors would be happy to talk to you about the best option for your loved one, so you don’t have to take the full responsibility of care by yourself.