If you have a loved one who can no longer live independently, it may be time to consider hiring an intermediate care facility service for taking care of your elderly. An in-home caregiver can monitor the individual’s health and assist with daily tasks like bathing, dressing, and eating.
In recent years in the US, these services have been used by many of the elderly with special needs. It supports the fact that the worldwide home healthcare industry is anticipated to grow, rising from $277.97 billion to $306.78 billion (2021- 2022), according to Globe News Wire. Hiring such a professional includes increased safety, better nutrition, and improved home quality of life for seniors.
Older Individuals Need More Attention
When caring for elderly individuals, the most important thing to remember is that they need more attention than their crucial needs. If you cannot provide these things, you should hire an intermediate care facility service.
They need to be monitored for signs of dehydration and malnutrition. In addition, you must check if your loved one gets enough fluids and food daily. If not, then this can lead to serious health issues like dehydration or malnutrition in the future.
They must check them for signs of pain and discomfort during their stay with you at home. Before hiring them as regular caretakers, you must ensure they are comfortable in your home.
Access to Qualified Caregivers
The demand for care services has been on the rise. The average customer increase for home care providers was 7.3% in 2021. As a result, you have a lot of choices when it comes to hiring an experienced and qualified caregiver in your area. You can choose from caregivers, such as Personal Care Assistants (PCAs) and Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs).
The type of caregiver you choose will depend on the nature and severity of your elder’s condition. For example, suppose they have Alzheimer’s disease or dementia-related illnesses. In that case, PCA will probably work best for them. They need someone who has less training than a CNA but still knows how to perform basic tasks around the house.
Timely Supervision and Administering Medications
Medications are often taken at different times of the day and may need to be taken with food or on an empty stomach. It is also essential to know what other medications the patient is taking and if you’re responsible for administering these medications as well as yours. For example, a patient might have diabetes and take insulin regularly; they may need their blood sugars monitored throughout the day.
If you have little experience taking care of older adults at home, it can quickly become overwhelming to administer all these medications correctly. Furthermore, there are so many medicines that it can be challenging to track what needs to be given when let alone where. Another reason why hiring an intermediate care facility service for taking care of your elderly at home is such a good idea. They will ensure your loved one receives all necessary medication safely and securely every visit.
Implementing Safety Measures
Safety needs to be a top priority in the home care of the elderly. You should ensure they are safe and comfortable by installing smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and other safety equipment at home. However, it is essential to note that these devices require constant maintenance and may need repair from time to time. If you do not know how to fix them or cannot afford their maintenance costs, you shouldn’t let your loved one stay at home alone without help. It may result in an accident that could prove fatal for both parties.
Hiring an intermediate care facility is also important because those who provide such services will take care of all tasks. These are related to implementing safety measures, medical equipment installation, and regular cleaning sessions. It not only ensures better health but also prevents accidents from happening. They also ensure everything stays functional throughout its lifespan, which could last many years before needing replacement.
Dressing Change and Hygiene
Changing the dressing of older adults is a difficult task to do. However, it is important that the dressing has been changed so that it doesn’t get infected. If you have an older adult living with you, you can hire an intermediate care service to take care of them. They can help them change their dressing when needed.
The staff from these facilities are trained to provide nursing care for the elderly in case they need assistance. If you have hired such a service, you do not need to worry about changing the bandages on your parents’ wounds or dressing their bedsores and other bodily injuries.
Comfort and Security
When your elderly loved ones are in the care of an intermediate care facility, you can rest assured that they will take care of them well. The staff at these facilities know how to provide comfort and security for older adults whose needs may be challenging for them to communicate. In addition, they can help the elderly eat, bathe, and do other activities of daily living (ADLs).
The staff also knows how to ensure your loved ones feel comfortable in their environment by creating an atmosphere of familiarity and safety. For example, suppose your loved one is afraid of being alone or in unfamiliar places. In that case, they can benefit significantly from this type of care because it provides consistent nurse visits to ensure one feels safe whenever needed.
Helps in Trying to Avoid Hospitalization
It is a good option for elderly patients who need more attention than their crucial needs. A nursing home can provide a better quality of life for the patient and the family members. The nursing home helps avoid hospitalization and long-term care. It also helps in other situations that may cause stress to both the patient and their family members.
Professional Support at Home Can Help Provide a Higher Quality of Life for Seniors
IBIS World reports that as of 2022, 451,269 home care providers were operating in the US. One of the most significant benefits of hiring a professional home care provider is that they can help provide your loved ones with a higher quality of life. It can be beneficial if family members cannot take good care of their elderly loved ones. Often, there are intensive needs in taking care of an older adult at home, and additional assistance is needed. In addition, it’s not always easy for family members to be on call 24/7. Professionals will often provide remote monitoring solutions so that your parents or grandparents get monitored even when you’re not around.
