Saving Your Loved One’s Independence

Posted on: 11 February 2015

Aging takes a toll, and even without medical problems, your loved one may be struggling to perform tasks they did before. You know they don't need a major intervention, but you also aren't able to provide them with the level of help they need. Home care is a great option for situations such as these, and there are different levels of home care available. Below are the three most common, and how they can help your aging loved one.

Basic Living Assistance

Doing a load of laundry, going grocery shopping, and other basic tasks become more difficult as your loved one ages. Basic living assistants, also known as homemakers or companions, can help your loved one with those tasks and ease your worries.

Seniors who only require this level of assistance are usually able to perform basic self care, such as washing, toileting, and dressing, but they just need some extra help performing more complex tasks that are required to be done. A basic living assistant can also double as a companion, supervising your loved one to ensure they remain safe while still providing them with conversation and friendship.

Home Health Aide Assistance

If your loved one needs a more hands-on approach to self care but is generally healthy, consider a home health aide. Home health aides are specially trained workers and will help your loved one to walk, bathe, toilet, and dress. Most health aides work under the direct supervision of a nurse, and they may be able to provide more specialized care.

Health aides have a more active role in the lives of their clients than does a companion. They ensure a safe and clean environment, while also supervising and ensuring the safety of your loved one. They can teach them how to use their canes or walkers, and can teach the family how to best lift and turn your elderly loved one.

Home Health Nurse Care

If your loved one requires medical help, a home health nurse can create an effective care plan that involves the administration of medications and IVs, general health monitoring and support, and even pain control. Home health nurses report directly to a doctor, so you can be sure your loved one is receiving the best care.

Home nursing care is usually the last level of home care before your loved one will need to be moved to an assisted living facility or nursing home. In many cases, however, home health nurses are able to provide the right level of care that enables their elderly patients to stay in their own home as long as possible.

If your aging loved one needs more care with daily tasks but isn't ready to move to an assisted living facility or nursing home, consider home care from a company like First In Care Home Health Agency Inc.There are three basic levels of care, with the last two being forms of home health care. Whether your loved one just needs someone to run errands for them and provide them with companionship, or help with daily self-care tasks and medical issues, home care is the answer.