According to the Family Caregiving Alliance, 63 percent of Americans in need of long-term care services are age 65 or older. If your mom and dad require help with activities of daily living, they’re not alone. Millions need elderly care at home.
Some people aren’t sure what elderly care entails. It doesn’t always cover the things they believe. It often adds extra services people don’t expect. Take a closer look at the benefits of elderly care.
They Have Help Around the Home
Caregivers can help your parents with household chores. Light housekeeping tasks like vacuuming, dusting, and washing dishes are offered. If your parents need someone to cook meals and prepare snacks, that’s another popular elderly care service. Laundry, linen changes, and making beds are all part of home care.
They Have Someone to Run Errands or Help Them Do So
Another popular service is transportation service. Your mom and dad have a caregiver available to drive them to stores to buy groceries. They have a ride to their doctor’s or dentist’s office. If they’re not feeling up to it, a caregiver can drive to the pharmacy and get their prescriptions for them.
They’ll Have Reminders for Important Tasks
If your mom and dad are forgetful, caregivers can remind them to take their medications. They can remind your parents to make appointments or do it for them. Your parents can have their caregiver remind them when an appointment is coming up or a bill needs to be paid.
They Have Help With Personal Care
One of the issues with arthritis is that it makes simple tasks more difficult. If your mom or dad struggles to tie shoes, button a shirt, floss between teeth, or hold a razor, caregivers can help. They’ll help with toileting, showering, grooming, and dressing.
Best of All, They Have Companionship
The most important benefit of elderly care is companionship. Instead of being lonely because they don’t often have visitors, they have someone visiting regularly. The caregiver can take them out to eat or eat a meal with them in their home. They can join them for walks or visit a museum with them. Back at home, they can play games, watch movies, and read books together.
If your mom and dad need elderly care, sit down with your family and talk about the areas where they need help. If your mom still cooks but can’t drive, she may benefit from a ride to the grocery store. If your dad has gout and has a hard time walking, help with mobility is perfect. Write down the list of services that would help and call an elderly care agency.
Sources:
https://www.caregiver.org/selected-long-term-care-statistics
If you or an aging loved one is considering elderly care in Lockwood, MT, please contact the caring staff at SYNERGY HomeCare Billings today at 406-839-2390.
