Like many seniors, you may be facing the choice of either moving into a retirement community or staying in your own home and hiring at home healthcare. At home healthcare provides you with help for many daily living activities that frequently become more difficult as you age, while also allowing you to remain in your own home. Here are six major benefits to keep in mind when considering at home healthcare:
Remain in the Comfort of Your Own Home
Studies have shown that as many as 90% of seniors would prefer to stay in their own homes if given the choice. Perhaps the most compelling reason for many seniors to choose at home healthcare is because it provides many of the perks of an assisted living facility while allowing to to keep your independence and stay in the home you love, where you are the most comfortable. Your at home healthcare aide will come to you and accommodate your household routines and schedules, and you can avoid the hassle and expense of moving.
Get Help with Personal Care
Just like in an assisted living facility, hiring an at home healthcare assistant means receiving help with any personal care needs that you have. Perhaps you need help bathing, clipping your nails, keeping your hair clean and brushed, or any number of other things. Home healthcare aides are trained in personal care and very used to performing these tasks in a way that makes you feel at ease.
Get Help with Errands
Driving can become more difficult or impossible as you get older, especially if you are facing mobility issues or vision or hearing problems. It can feel awkward to constantly ask family members or friends for rides to the grocery store or doctor's office. A great thing about at home healthcare aides is that they expect to help you with errands. You can feel comfortable sending them to the store with a grocery list or asking them to drive you to appointments or errands.
Have Say in Choosing Your Caregiver
Most at home healthcare companies allow you to have a say in who becomes your caregiver. Because this person will be involved in your life and spend so much time with you, it's important that you feel a rapport with them. If things don't quite click with someone personality-wise, you can always contact the at home healthcare agency and ask to interview or meet with a different aide. Having a choice in your caregiver gives you control and can help make the entire process much more comfortable, and even fun.
Keep Your Home Clean and Running Smoothly
Many at home healthcare agencies also provide light cleaning and general household management. Your at home healthcare aide will help keep your home neat and tidy, can help you stay organized, and may even help with meal preparation and making sure your kitchen is always stocked with plenty of nutritious food.
Enjoy Companionship
Many seniors report feeling increased loneliness as they age. It is important to continue finding ways to form and maintain relationships as you get older, even if you live alone. Having an at home healthcare aide visit you regularly and become like a part of your family can seriously counteract any loneliness you experience while living alone. The field of home healthcare tends to attract people who truly love helping others and creating bonds. Beyond just offering practical assistance, your at home healthcare aide will offer companionship.
By choosing at home healthcare you will get to maintain your independence in the comfort of your own home, while benefiting from these great perks. For more information, talk with different at home healthcare agencies, like Always Dependable.
