Help Loved Ones Age at Home
When visiting a loved one recently, did you notice them struggling to complete routine tasks or move around their home safely?
For many aging adults, daily activities such as bathing, getting dressed, preparing meals and even just moving around become more challenging and could put them at risk for injury. Additionally, those with a chronic health condition may also need assistance to take their medication, monitor blood pressure and plan meals.
Recognizing that your loved one needs additional support is an important first step in helping them live safely and independently at home.
Sandra Pierre-Louis, a clinical manager with Adventist HealthCare Home Assistance, answers a few commonly asked questions from family members seeking in-home care options:
Q: When will I know it's time to get home care for my loved one?
A: To determine if your loved one needs support, look to see if they:
- Have difficulty keeping their home clean
- Neglect personal hygiene, such as brushing teeth or bathing
- Forget to take medication
- Need toileting assistance
- Struggle to walk from one room to another
Q: What services do you provide?
A: Adventist HealthCare Home Assistance Services offers personal hygiene assistance, medication management, wound care and meal preparation, as well as light laundry and housekeeping services.
Our certified home health aides can also transport your loved one to and from doctor appointments and run errands, such as grocery shopping. They also offer companionship services.
In-home care can be provided on an hourly or 24-hour basis, depending on the level of need.
Q: How do I talk to my loved one about getting help?
A: Initiating a conversation about in-home care can be intimidating, particularly if your loved one is a parent.
It’s important to let them know you don’t want to take away their independence. In fact, in-home care can help your parent live comfortably and avoid admission to a nursing home or an assisted living facility.
