Tips For Family Caregivers Who Are Interested in Senior Home Care
Senior Home Care in South River NJ
You’ve been providing your dad’s care for several years, but those care needs are increasing. You’re not old enough to retire, so you’ve been helping your dad before and after work and on weekends. It’s no longer sustainable. You’re losing sleep, cutting out of work early, and struggling to get everything he needs to be done in the hours you have.
To ease your stress and ensure he has the care he needs every day, you’ve started looking at senior home care services. These tips help you understand what services are available and how to get started.
Have a Family Discussion
Before you arrange senior home care, make sure your family members aren’t interested in helping him more each week. You might have a brother who is happy to drive your dad to his physical therapy sessions but didn’t realize help was needed. Give everyone a chance to take on some of your dad’s care if they want.
Establish a Care Plan Checklist
Before you call a senior home care specialist, you should have a good idea of what services your dad needs. Most caregivers can help with:
- Ambulation
- Companionship
- Grocery shopping and errands
- Grooming and hygiene
- Light housekeeping and laundry
- Meal preparation and planning
- Medication reminders
- Transportation
Your dad may still have a stubborn streak and want to do some things by himself. A caregiver’s role is to support his desire to remain independent. If you know he struggles with dressing but hates to ask for help, mention it.
Do a Thorough Cleaning
Once you hire home care aides, remember that they’re there for light housekeeping. They’re not going to do a deep clean. If your dad’s home is especially cluttered or dirty, take care of that first. Give the caregiver a clean slate to start with.
You could rent a carpet steamer and get the carpets cleaned. Use fans to dry them as quickly as possible. If there is excessive clutter, declutter and make sure everything has a place to go. Clean the oven and stove top, clear out the refrigerator of spoiled foods, and do the same with the cupboards and freezer. This makes it easy for a caregiver to jump in and keep the home as clean as it was from day one.
Give It a Few Weeks
Your dad may need time to adjust to his new caregiver. Don’t feel that it has to be perfect from the very first moment your dad meets his caregiver. If he’s especially anxious, work from home, but stay out of the way. Only if the caregiver comes to you should you help out.
Arrange senior home care once you have a list of questions your family has and what his care plan looks like each day. An advisor can help you better understand the cost of home care and the best schedule for your dad’s needs.
If you or an aging loved one is considering senior home care in South River, NJ, please contact the caring staff at Care Street Home Care today. Call (732) 607-8870.
The Care Street mission is straightforward and compelling: to provide a comprehensive range of the highest quality home health services in a professional and efficient manner that will enhance our clients' quality of life and empower families to keep their loved one at home.
Care Street has earned a reputation of excellence among hundreds of families, and is recommended by medical professionals and hospital discharge planners throughout the State.
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