How to Make Plans for a Loved One’s Long-Term In-Home Care

Many people over the age of 65 need some type of long-term home care. While serious health conditions may require hospitalization, in-home care allows seniors to continue to age in place in the comfort of home. Preparing for long-term home care now gives you a plan to follow while there’s plenty of time to get everything in order.

Identify Potential Health Needs

Seniors who are diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s, or other medical conditions can use information from their medical teams to help them plan for the future. For instance, seniors who anticipate needing assistance with medication management as their memory decreases can look for solutions now while they’re able to make decisions with greater clarity. Seniors can face a variety of age-related challenges. Though some families choose to take on the caregiving duties, there may come a time when they need a trusted homecare services provider. Families sometimes need respite from their duties so they can focus on their other responsibilities, and some seniors need around-the-clock assistance that their families are not able to provide. Home Care Assistance is here to help.

Talk about Your Loved One’s Wishes

A senior should always be involved in planning for his or her future, and including your loved one in these conversations has benefits for everyone. You’ll feel better knowing your loved one agrees with the long-term care option, and seniors who take part in planning for their own futures tend to have less anxiety about what the upcoming years hold.

Assess the Current Home Environment

In-home care services allow seniors to continue enjoying the comfortable living environments they’ve set up over the years. However, you also need to know your loved one’s home provides a safe environment. Conduct a thorough assessment of the home to identify potential safety challenges in its layout. If you find things such as stairs that are difficult to navigate, now is the time to arrange for changing these things to make them safer.

Discuss Scheduling for Family Caregivers

Families often try to share caregiving duties as their loved ones age. However, your family must consider what you’ll do when this becomes too difficult. For instance, you may find your family cannot handle around-the-clock care. Come up with solutions now for these challenges, such as hiring overnight caregiving services, so you don’t have to make hasty decisions in the future. Families who find it difficult to care for their aging loved ones without assistance can benefit greatly from professional home care. Whether you need respite from your caregiving duties or your aging loved one needs live-in care, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, FL, Home Care Assistance can meet your family’s care needs. Our dedicated caregivers are available around the clock to provide transportation to doctor’s appointments, ensure seniors take their prescribed medications, and help with a variety of tasks in and outside the home.

Arrange for Professional Assistance

One of the best things families can do when planning for long-term care is to help their loved ones get adjusted to in-home care before they experience major health issues. This is because seniors tend to be more open to meeting new people when they’re feeling better. Consider having a professional caregiver start helping your loved one with tasks such as preparing meals. This way, your loved one benefits from knowing the people who will be helping with his or her long-term care needs.

Be Prepared to Adjust the Plan Over Time

Once you have a plan in place for long-term home care, remember things can change. For instance, your loved one may need help with personal hygiene sooner than expected, or he or she may suddenly lose the ability to drive. By keeping your loved one’s plan flexible and adding services as needed, you can ensure his or her long-term care needs are met. If your aging loved one needs help managing everyday tasks or encouragement to adopt healthier lifestyle choices, turn to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of senior care. Galt Ocean Mile Home Care Assistance provides professional in-home caregivers around the clock to help seniors live longer, happier, and healthier lives. Call one of our Care Managers at (954) 909-0370 to schedule a free in-home consultation.