Respite care is often viewed as temporary relief for family caregivers. However, the service offers just as many advantages to elderly people. Continue reading to learn about the different benefits at-home respite care can provide to your senior loved one.
Help with Meal Prep
Eating foods full of vitamins, minerals, and other healthy nutrients could play a large role in keeping your loved one in good physical and mental shape. However, preparing these meals can be challenging, especially if your loved one doesn’t have access to healthy foods. An at-home respite caregiver can help with meal prep and take your loved one to the grocery store to pick up foods that are recommended by his or her primary care physician. The caregiver can also cook meals and store them in the freezer or refrigerator for your loved one to eat during the week while he or she is home alone. Good eating habits can lower the risk of heart disease, obesity, and high blood pressure.
Families who need help caring for a senior loved one can turn to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of Vancouver elderly home care. Services available in our customizable care plans include meal prep, mental and social stimulation, assistance with personal hygiene tasks, and much more.
Companionship
Living alone is common for older adults, especially those who are in good health. Although living at home and maintaining a routine can increase independence and stave off cognitive decline, older adults who age in place have a higher risk of isolating themselves from others. However, with at-home respite care, your loved one can interact with someone regularly, which is essential if you or other family members live in another city or state. The respite caregiver can come in and socialize with your loved one throughout the week and encourage him or her to get out of the house and into the community. The companionship could boost your parent’s mood and lower the risk of depression.
For families living in Vancouver, 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.
Flexibility
Emergencies can occur, and you may not be able to assist with your loved one’s daily needs or take off work while he or she recovers from an accident or injury. The uncertainty of not knowing who will provide care while you’re away could be stressful for your loved one and cause his or her health to worsen. However, hiring an at-home respite caregiver to help out could reduce feelings of fear and speed up the recovery process. Most respite care agencies offer emergency services and flexible options. It’s a good idea for you and your loved one to check out local agencies ahead of time to be prepared if an emergency occurs.
Skilled Services
If your loved one is living with a condition such as Parkinson’s disease or dementia or is recovering from an event such as a heart attack or stroke, he or she can hire an at-home respite caregiver who specializes in these types of care. Having a skilled professional step in to help with physical activities, medication management, and daily tasks can make life easier for seniors and their family members. The caregiver could give your loved one tips to speed up recovery or advice to slow the progression of the disease. Specialized care is often less expensive when using respite care services, compared to staying at a hospital or rehabilitation facility.
There are a variety of age-related health conditions that can make it more challenging for seniors to live independently. However, many of the challenges they face can be easier to address if their families opt for professional in-home care. You can rely on expertly trained caregivers to keep your loved one safe and comfortable while aging in place. Call Home Care Assistance today at (778) 279-3634 to learn about our high-quality in-home respite care services.