One of the common things people share as they get older is a desire to remain active and at home. The last thing anyone really wants is to move into a facility for long-term care. Not only is that a costlier option, it isn’t appealing for most aging men and women.
This growing desire to ‘age in place’ is not new. However, that option is expanding for increasing numbers of seniors across the country thanks to home health care.
There are many ways that home health care can help seniors remain home longer, so let’s talk about three of the biggest ones here.
1. It offers direct medical attention at home.
Visiting nurses are a critical component of home health care. Many people incorrectly assume that any type of home care is the same as home health care. Home care aides are not visiting nurses per se and generally can’t administer medications, check vital stats, or perform other direct medical tasks.
Home care in its general sense is there to offer assistance, such as help cleaning the house or doing laundry, preparing meals, going shopping, and so on.
Visiting nurses on the other hand, can perform some direct medical care for their clients in the comfort of their home. This makes it increasingly possible for people with chronic health issues or other situations to remain home while they recover.
2. It can provide companionship.
Not the top priority for most home health care providers, companionship is still vital. People who are living alone can feel more isolated. That can potentially increase the risk of depression or depressive symptoms.
While no one should diagnose themselves or a family member or other loved one with depression (only a trained, licensed medical professional should do that), that sense of human interaction and companionship that a quality home health care provider offers goes a long way toward helping in recovery.
Feeling connection to others helps to inspire an elderly person to continue pressing forth with their recovery.
3. Assistance to do certain tasks.
Getting out of bed and getting dressed can be – for some aging seniors — an extremely difficult challenge. A home health care provider who stopped by in the morning, for example, can assist their client with these basic tasks.
They might also be able to assist them getting into and out of the shower. Being able to wash away the grease and grime of the previous day can help to protect one’s health and provide an emotional lift.
As you can see, home health care provides numerous supports that allow seniors to stay home longer.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering home health care in Cherry Hills, CO, please contact the caring staff at SYNERGY HomeCare today. Call us at (303) 756-9322.
