If you have just started looking into care for your aging parents or loved ones, the process can be daunting, often with misconceptions and myths. You want to find the best and most affordable care solution possible, without disrupting their daily life. Ideally, the solution you choose would help them function while maintaining their privacy and their dignity. As you explore various care solutions, in-home care should definitely be at the top of your list.
What is In-Home Care?
In-home care includes any professional support services by certified caregivers that allow a person to live safely in the comfort of their own home. In-home care services can help someone who is aging, or disabled in some way, and needs assistance to live independently; is managing chronic health issues; is recovering from a medical setback, or has special needs or a disability.
Professional caregivers provide short-term or long-term care in the home, depending on a person’s needs. Types of in-home care include personal care assistance, companion care services, and safety monitoring or memory care.
When considering in-home care, it’s important not to be misled by some of the myths about in-home care. Let’s go over some common misconceptions:
- Your Loved One Will Have to Give Up Independence – One of the most common myths about in-home care is that your loved one’s freedom, privacy, or dignity will be compromised. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Trained caregivers will respect a client’s privacy and wishes. Caregivers are there to help clients accomplish daily tasks that they can’t do on their own, not to control their lives. A primary benefit of in-home care is encouraged to remain active, doing as much as possible for oneself, while receiving assistance with walking, bathing, dressing, light housekeeping, and meal preparations. This way, clients can live independently at home for as long as possible.
- In-home Care is Too Expensive – Unless your loved one needs home health care and/or medical monitoring around the clock, personal care assistance or companion care can be a lot less expensive than an assisted living facility. It’s also easier for friends and relatives to visit loved ones in their homes than at a facility. With no time restrictions or set visiting hours, your loved one will enjoy more social interaction. This combats loneliness and helps bring friends and family together.
- In-home Care is Only for the Elderly – A common assumption is that in-home care is only for the elderly. However in-home care can be for anyone, of any age, who needs help with daily functioning. This could be someone with a long- or short-term disability or someone who is recovering from an illness, injury, or surgery and just needs temporary in-home help until the full function returns.
- In-home Care is Only for the Infirm or Disabled – Another common myth is that in-home care is only for those who are permanently disabled. But in-home care can take the form of companion care as well. Perhaps your loved one can function fairly well but is able to drive safely. A companion can help with running errands, attending doctor, dentist, or salon appointments, or enjoying time outside the home. As a family caregiver, you may just need a respite from time to time, so you can take care of your own needs. In addition to helping with appointments, shopping, or errands, companions can also do activities that encourage cognitive stimulation, if needed, such as conversation, reading aloud, and playing brain games.
In summary, in-home care can be a great solution for an elderly parent or a loved one who is recovering from injuries or managing acute or chronic health conditions. Our in-home caregivers are there to support your loved one’s wish to be where they want to be – at home.