In today’s fast-paced society, seniors are more independent than ever before. Many develop strong community ties, visit with nearby family frequently and even open their homes to out-of-state family, embrace a close circle of friends, and through options such as reverse mortgage, are able to stay in their homes comfortably for far longer than ever before.
But what happens when living at home alone becomes a concern for these seniors and/or their adult children? In the past, it typically meant one of two things: move-in with family or move to a senior care facility. Often times though, a move like this can be detrimental in itself. In-Home Senior Care may be all that is needed to alleviate concerns and keep everyone happy.
What is In-Home Senior Care?
In-Home Senior Care is an option where a caregiver visits the home during scheduled days/hours in order to attend to specific needs. This offers peace of mind to both the family and the senior. It also helps seniors continue to lead an independent lifestyle while still receiving the assistance needed, without burdening busy family members. The care providers receive specialized training to ensure they are adequately equipped to care for seniors with varying needs.
What Types of Assistance Will In-Home Caregivers Offer?
The types of assistance that is offered by an in-home caregiver will vary based on both the needs and the care company, but most often include:
- Safety supervision
- Socialization
- Transportation
- Light housekeeping
- Helping care for pets
- Grocery shopping
- Cooking
- Running errands
- Medication reminders
- Walking assistance
- Helping get dressed
- Stand-by bathing/showering assistance
- Grooming
- Reading aloud from books, newspapers and magazines
- Range of motion exercises
- and lots more
Serving as a family caregiver for an aging loved one often is rewarding, yet involves sacrifice and stress. It also frequently takes a financial toll on the caregiver with an estimated $5,500/year spent on out of pockets expenses, not to mention lost wages due to missed work. Considering working with an in-home caregiver may be a better option all around.
Jan Jordan is a Reverse Mortgage Specialist serving the Fort Collins, Loveland, Greeley, and Front Range areas of Colorado. Click here to contact Jan and learn if reverse mortgage is right for you.