Respite care offers seniors social stimulation and daily assistance in the comfort of their homes. Having a trained professional come in to help could boost your aging loved one’s health and increase his or her longevity. Below are some of the benefits respite care provides to older adults.
1. Transportation Assistance
Getting around may be difficult for your loved one, but an at-home respite caregiver can take him or her to run errands, such as picking up prescriptions, shopping for groceries, and taking trips to the mall. Many seniors skip doctor appointments because they don’t have transportation. At-home respite caregivers can make sure they make it to appointments on time and provide transportation to various social activities.
Senior home care experts are available to provide high-quality care to seniors on an as-needed basis. From assistance with mobility and exercise to providing transportation to the doctor’s office and social events, there are a variety of ways professional caregivers can help your aging loved one continue to live independently.
2. Medication Management
Many seniors take multiple medications to treat various conditions, such as arthritis, high blood pressure, and heart disease. Medication mishaps could cause treatment to be ineffective and increase the risk of overmedicating. To prevent these errors and boost your loved one’s wellbeing, consider hiring an at-home respite caregiver to assist with basic duties, including providing medication reminders. The caregiver can monitor your loved one’s reactions to the prescriptions and report any signs of discomfort to his or her medical provider.
3. Safety
As adults age, their cognitive health and physical abilities continue to decrease, putting them at higher risk for accidents, such as slips, falls, and exposure to harmful chemicals. An at-home respite caregiver can monitor your loved one to ensure his or her needs are met, which includes living in a safe and secure environment. Knowing someone is coming to check on him or her could provide your loved one with peace of mind.
4. Specialized Care
If your parent has been diagnosed with a condition such as dementia, Alzheimer’s, or osteoporosis, your family can hire an at-home respite caregiver who specializes in these areas. The caregiver can help your family develop a proper care plan that slows the progression of the condition and boosts your loved one’s quality of life. At-home respite caregivers can also step in to help seniors recovering from strokes, injuries, and other serious issues.
Caring for a senior loved one can be challenging for families who don’t have expertise or professional training in home care, but this challenge doesn’t have to be faced alone. Family caregivers can turn to Edmonton Home Care Assistance for the help they need. We provide high-quality live-in and respite care as well as comprehensive Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care.
5. Affordability
Receiving high-quality care can be expensive for older adults, especially those living in rehabilitation facilities or nursing homes. However, with at-home respite care, your parent will only pay for the time and services he or she uses. Your loved one has the option to upgrade the services or extend the hours in the future, based on his or her finances and care needs.
6. Socialization
Respite caregivers promote socialization and encourage seniors to get out of the house as much as possible, whether it’s to go for a walk in the park, work in the garden, or take a trip to the local library. Socialization can boost your loved one’s mental and emotional health, lowering the risk of isolation and depression. A respite caregiver can plan activities and social outings based on your loved one’s preferences.
For families living in Edmonton, respite care can be a wonderful solution when their aging loved ones need companionship and socialization a few hours a week or just need minor assistance with daily household tasks. At Home Care Assistance, we thrive on helping seniors maintain their independence while living in the comfort of home. If your loved one needs help with the challenges of aging, call one of our compassionate Care Managers today at (780) 490-7337.