What to Expect From At Home Senior Care
Many adults believe that when it comes to aging, there are two options: relocate to a retirement community or move in with a loved one.
However, there is a third choice that combines the best parts of both previous options—electing to receive at-home senior care from qualified professionals.
A recent survey by the CDC revealed that 93% of aging adults agreed that “aging in place”—the ability to live in one’s own home and community safely, independently, and comfortably, regardless of age, income, or ability level—was an important goal for them.
There are lots of benefits to aging in place and receiving at-home senior care. Menno Haven at Home, our at-home senior care service, takes a holistic approach that includes emotional and daily living support. Holistic care helps older adults maintain their sense of dignity and independence, empowering them to continue living a personally fulfilling lifestyle.
Customized Care Plans with At-Home Care
If you are considering at-home care for yourself or for a loved one, there are a few considerations to make. The best at-home care will be completely customized to individual needs. An at-home care provider should conduct an assessment with the resident and their loved ones to determine a customized care plan that outlines the schedules and services necessary. This might look like conducting an at-home walk-through or interview to discuss the following:
Physical care needs such as meals, bathing, and mobility
Medical needs such as medications, treatments, and exercises
Daily needs such as laundry, light cleaning, meal preparation, and grocery shopping
Logistics such as home access and documentation
Relationship-building and preferences like favorite music, activities, foods, goals, and expectations
One of the biggest benefits of at-home care is the flexibility to adapt care plans as needs evolve. At-home care can also be a great thing for family caregivers as it provides some respite from being a constant caregiver and may allow previous relationship dynamics to resurface eg, returning to daughter/mother instead of caregiver/dependent.
Medical Assistance and Monitoring with At-Home Care
The level of medical care received during at-home care will depend on the provider chosen. Not every at-home senior care provider also delivers medical care such as administering medication; however, many at-home care providers can assist with medication management, health monitoring, and provide assistance with medical appointments.
Receiving at-home care can help maintain health and prevent complications from occurring in the future.
Daily Living Support Offered by At-Home Senior Care
The daily living support provided by at-home senior care are often the kinds of services many wish they’d had their whole lives—someone to do the meal prep, the laundry, the housekeeping, and the grocery shopping? Yes, please! However, the idea of at-home care is to preserve dignity and independence wherever possible, so if you or your loved one enjoys the daily tasks of caring for a home—no worries, an at-home caregiver won’t barge in and take your responsibilities from you. Think of them more as a companion, ready to assist wherever necessary and just happy to come alongside your shared goals.
Family Involvement and Communication
Family involvement will always be an important part of the care process. A reputable at-home care provider will always keep an open and regular line of communication with caregivers, seniors, and their families. This helps to keep everyone on the same page at every step of care should additional needs arise. Menno Haven at Home is uniquely positioned as a life-planning community to handle potential transitions due to changes in health status—so aging adults can always receive a consistent level of care that they’ve become accustomed to.
Is It Time to Consider At-Home Care?
There are many benefits to choosing at-home care as opposed to solely family care or no care at all. At-home care allows aging adults to maintain their independence while giving their loved ones peace of mind. When choosing at-home senior care, it’s important to research and choose reputable care providers. The best way to do that is through thorough vetting—don’t be afraid to make a list of questions. Then, contact us at Menno Haven and bring your questions about at-home senior care for yourself or a loved one. We are here to help you live confidently.