A caregiver provides health or supportive care to a senior in his or her own home. Rather than being placed in a residential, long-term nursing home or specialty facility, the senior individual can preserve their independence and receive the required care in the comfort of their own home.
The duties of daily living can be difficult whether you’re recovering from an illness or surgery or if you have a condition that restricts your ability to move. Here are some tips for home care and safety.
Tips for Home Care and Safety
Whether the senior is receiving home care from a qualified professional or a family member, there may be instances when they are left alone, in which case safety precautions must be followed.
Assess Needs
The first step in building a safe living environment is to assess the senior’s needs. When deciding how much safety should be included in home care, physical and cognitive disabilities must be taken into account. Because the kitchen and bathroom have the biggest risk of accidents, they should be considered first in terms of safety.
Falls are the leading cause of death in the elderly, and they frequently occur in the kitchen and bathroom owing to slick flooring, spills, and struggling to grab items beyond their reach. There are a few things you can do to keep these places safe.
Healthcare groups that specialize in providing care to people in their homes provide a crucial service. Policies and procedures that focus on safety assessment, risk identification, and situation management are required to keep individuals safe.
Look Out for Violence
Providers must be aware of the danger of violence wherever they operate; thus, those who work in the home should be aware of the patient’s neighborhood, know how to avoid violent situations, and be familiar with their organization’s policies and procedures for violence avoidance and de-escalation.
Nurses, clinicians, and others can take steps to prevent or lessen the severity of violent events. Health care professionals, including nurses and caregivers, are provided with proper training on how to deal with violence. It necessitates practice, continual education, and awareness.
Pay Attention
The first step is to determine how much assistance your elderly relative requires. Making a list of daily, weekly, and monthly care duties will help you determine how much assistance is required during the day, night, and weekends. You should also make a note of how much supervision your loved one needs. This will give you a fair idea about the type of services needed and when to avail them.
Prioritize Health
Another important thing to prioritize is your own health. Consider how much care you can realistically provide without compromising on your own health and wellness. You don’t want to stress too much or burn out. Remember, if you can’t look after yourself, you won’t be able to look after your loved ones. Instead, be as proactive as possible and seek out the assistance you require to maintain your health and your role as a family caretaker.
Seek Help
Even if it appears that seeking caregiving assistance will take too much time and effort, keep in mind that it is an investment that will pay off in the long run. Finding help will take time, effort, and creative thinking, but it will be well worth it when you can lower your workload, minimize stress, and take regular breaks.
Final Thoughts
If your parent needs help getting to the store, creating meal planning, or doesn’t have the energy or capacity to cook, hiring a caregiver is a good option. It’s also worth remembering that home care can be tailored to your loved one’s specific needs.