Aging adults often need more assistance as they grow older. Before you become your parent’s primary care provider, it’s important to understand if you are up to the job. Providing home care for elderly adults is just that – a job. You will be taking over daily tasks like bathing, dressing and toileting for them.
Role reversal is not an easy task, and too often family members become poor caregivers. When Mom or Dad took care of you, they saw growth and the future. As you care for your loved one, you see regression and the end of life.
The Challenges of Home Care
There is much more to caring for an aging family member than providing a home and a bed as training for caregivers is essential. Bathing a full grown adult poses many challenges. Your mother or father may not be capable of moving on their own. If your loved one is bedridden or must be assisted in and out of bed, a caregiver may need assistance, which may include a medical apparatus. Before using any medical equipment, it is important that the individual is trained on its proper usage.
When meeting the needs of an aging adult they are also responding to the needs (and fears) of the family too. When family members are caring for Mom or Dad, they need support and training from trained providers of home care for elderly adults. As a caregiver, it is essential to keep the continuum of daily life in motion. This includes activities like eating, bathing, dressing, toileting, companionship and maintaining a regular sleep schedule. This plan is imperative for both care provider and parent.
Work with a Professional Caregiver
If you simply don’t have the time to care for your mom, dad or senior loved one, there are always professionals available to help. Assisting Hands Fort Myers is a home care agency that serves Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Bonita Springs and the surrounding areas with professional home care services. Everything from personal care to social companionship, our caregivers can stay with them for a few hours a week to 24/7, following a customized care plan that fits your loved one’s unique needs.
Give us a call at (239) 221-6326 to learn more about our home care services in the Fort Myers, FL area. We proudly provide free, in-home consultations.
