Does the Senior You Love Need Senior Care?
Home Care Services in Bay Shore NY: Does your Loved-One Need Senior Care?
If you are the caregiver for an aging loved-one, or if you have a senior that lives alone and you worry about them, you might be wondering if it is time to hire senior care.
A senior care aide, or a home care aide, can provide many helpful services for them. They can assist with getting dressed, brushing their teeth, showering/bathing, cleaning the house, cooking, and even remembering to take their medications on time.
But how do you know if your loved-one needs senior care?
Here are some questions to ask yourself:
-Does my senior have a hard time remembering to take their medications?
This is a common problem with many seniors who have conditions that cause forgetfulness, like dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s disease. They might forget to take their pills all together, which can make their symptoms worse, or they might take the pills too many times, which can cause a whole other set of problems. A senior care aide can help by reminding your loved-one to take their medicine at the right times and make sure that they don’t take more than the recommended dosage.
-Does my loved-one have mobility problems?
If your senior needs to get around the house due to old age or medical problems, having a senior care aide around could be very helpful. They could help to make sure to keep the walkways are clear, and they can act as a support if your loved-one needs help walking from room to room. They can also fetch things from another room if your loved-one has trouble getting up.
-Is it dangerous for my senior to continue living alone?
There can be many dangers involved with living alone for seniors with certain conditions. Dementia or confusion can distract a senior from cooking, and they can leave the stove on, which can cause a fire. Or, they could be prone to falling, and without anyone’s help, and could end up lying on the floor for much too long. With a senior care aide coming by every day to take care of them, the senior would be at a much lower risk for getting into a dangerous situation.
-Does my loved-one need more help than I, personally, can give?
There is no shame in asking for help. If you feel that, as a caregiver, you are not able to provide your loved-one with all of the help that they need, hiring a senior care aide can be beneficial for everyone involved. It doesn’t mean you care any less, or that you are any less capable, it just means that you have your loved one’s best interests at heart.
Hiring a senior care aide can be a big decision. Discuss it with your family and your loved-one, and make sure to keep the above questions in mind as you weigh the pros and cons.
If you or an aging loved one are considering home care services in Bay Shore, NY, please contact the caring staff at Family First Home Companions.
Serving all of Long Island. Call today: (631) 319-3961
Jennifer has specialized training in Alzheimer’s disease through the Long Island Alzheimer’s Association and the Long Island Alzheimer’s Foundation.She also volunteered her time with the Alzheimer's Disease Assistance Center of Long Island for 3 years by providing cognitive stimulation to an Alzheimer’s patient group.
Jennifer educates the community about elder care and speaks to caregiver support groups, senior centers, and at professional organizations.Topics include home safety, effective strategies for family caregiving, elder care planning, and awareness about elder abuse.
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