First Choice In-Home Care Blog

4 Reasons to Get In Home Care for Your Aging Loved One

[fa icon="calendar"] Feb 23, 2016 11:50:58 AM / by First Choice

First Choice

When you first become a caregiver for your aging loved one, you may start out with the idea that you will be able to do everything necessary to care for the changing needs of your family member. However, as time goes on, there are a variety of circumstances that make it wise to consider formal in-home care support from a trained provider to help alleviate your caregiving responsibilities.



In-home care professionals can help your loved one with meal preparation and ensure proper nutrition through following specific dietary plans.

Here are some common reasons in-home care services are an attractive option:

1) Juggling responsibilities can be physically and emotionally exhausting.

Many family caregivers are also juggling the responsibility of caring for children, maintaining a full- or part-time job, and caring for their own health as well. AARP's "Valuing the Invaluable: 2015 Update" reveals that most caregivers spend more than 18 hours a week in caregiving duties, making the time devoted to caregiving equivalent to holding down a part-time job. Some caregivers spend considerably more time than that, with 30 or more hours per week invested in caregiving responsibilities.

The sheer number of tasks that a primary caregiver must perform every day can lead to stress, exhaustion, and caregiver burnout. In the interest of caring for your own needs and providing appropriate care for your loved one, it is important to recognize stress and take steps to get help to handle your responsibilities in the best way possible before burnout occurs.

2) Long-distance care is a difficult task.

In some cases, you may be incapable of providing the level of care needed because you do not live in the same area as your loved one. Often, despite your sincere desire to care for your senior, you may be in no position to relocate to provide hands-on care, especially in cases where long-term care is needed.

In this circumstance, finding professional help to supplement your caregiving efforts will give you peace of mind and give your loved one the support needed at a difficult time.

3) Scheduling difficulties arise.

Even if you are providing hands-on care for your loved one every day, it is likely that, at some point, you will need another pair of hands to help out due to unforseen circumstances. What will happen to your loved one if you should become ill, or need to travel out of town for business or other responsibilities? Here, too, enlisting in-home care professionals to help can ease the situation considerably.

4) Your loved one's needs may increase over time.

Due to illness or advancing age, your loved one's needs may increase as time goes on. As the demands on your time and energies increase along with their need, in-home care may be the solution that enables your loved one to age in a place of comfort and familiarity as long as possible.

These are just a few of the situations in which in-home care can support your efforts as a caregiver.

Things In-Home Care Can Take Off Your Plate

There are a variety of services that in-home care professionals can manage for your loved one. Here are some common tasks associated with in-home care:

Providing personal care: For many elderly individuals, activities of daily living such as bathing, grooming, toileting, dressing and basic personal hygiene can be difficult tasks to accomplish alone. In-home care professionals can provide help with the activities of daily living for your loved one.

Meal preparation: It can be difficult for many to shop for groceries and prepare their own meals, in-home care professionals can ensure that your loved one receives quality, nutritious food on a regular schedule. Letting in-home care workers provide this service potentially frees you from hours of work, while still giving your senior ample, healthy food at the consistent times.

Homemaking services: In-home care services can include housekeeping duties such as washing dishes, vacuuming, doing laundry, dusting, mopping, changing linens, caring for houseplants, and running small errands. When you consider the time you likely spend in getting these tasks accomplished, it is clear that, with in-home care, you will have more time to spend simply visiting with your loved one and providing much-needed emotional support.

Overnight care: In-home care professionals can sit with your loved ones at night, keeping watch and providing any needed services during the evening hours. This frees you to get a good night's sleep, bolstering your ability to fight off fatigue and sickness, and ensuring that the needs of your loved ones are cared for around the clock.

Companion and transportation services: One of the most difficult adjustments for many seniors is being unable to participate in a number of social activities they once enjoyed. In-home care givers can provide companionship which keeps senior social skills sharp and eases any feelings of loneliness.

Additionally, in-home care givers can provide transportation to non-emergency medical appointments or other engagements your loved one may have. Knowing that your senior is accompanied by a skilled care giver can ease any anxiety you have when your loved one must leave the comfort of home.



Housekeeping chores are commonly provided ensure the health and well-being of your loved one.

Providing Quality Care and Peace of Mind

Whether you are a hands-on caregiver or a long-distance caregiver, using in-home care services to meet the needs of your loved ones can ensure their comfort, quality of care and your peace of mind. The wide range of services available can meet the varying needs your loved one may encounter as he or she continues to age.

To find out specific information about the in-home care services available in your area, please contact us today. We look forward to partnering with you to provide the best care for your loved one at home.

First Choice

Written by First Choice