Debunking Myths About Home Care

It's common to find new challenges in everyday tasks as we age. Our bodies change, and when we find ourselves unable to do everything on our own, it's okay to ask for help. But finding the proper support can be overwhelming, especially when you hear a lot of misinformation about what it means to receive various types of care.

Home care, for example, is one type of care many people tend to misunderstand. Myths surrounding home care make some seniors uneasy about trying it when in reality, it's one of the most beneficial care for seniors.

What is Home Care

Home care is any care administered at home. It can be non-medical or medical, depending on whether you hire a caregiver or a nurse. A caregiver can be a family member or a hired professional. Caregivers can work alongside a hospice team for end-of-life care or palliative care to help clients living with a severe illness. Still, home care can also be for seniors looking for additional help around the home.

Caregivers provide various services depending on the client's needs. They can provide companionship, meal preparation, light housekeeping and transportation to and from doctor's appointments. Caregivers can also provide personal assistance or help with medication reminders, bathing, toileting and dressing. In cases of dementia, trained caregivers can tailor their service to include emotional support and guidance to families.

Myths About Home Care

There are a lot of myths around home care that deter people from hiring caregivers. These are some common misconceptions associated with at-home care.

• Home care services are expensive. Home care is much more affordable than people realize. Some home care facilities, such as Visiting Angels, offer flexible care plans to work within each client's budget. With a personalized care plan, you're only paying for the care you need, and caregivers can adjust the care to accommodate your physical and financial needs.
• Accepting home care means giving up your independence. Hiring a caregiver helps you stay independent in your home. Caregivers aren't there to change your routine or your lifestyle. Their goal is to assist with minimal disruption to your daily life.
• Caregivers don't have the skills to work with those who have dementia. When you hire a caregiver from a trusted company such as Visiting Angels, the caregivers are screened and trained to provide the best possible care, even to those living with cognitive disorders such as dementia and Alzheimer's. At Visiting Angels, we have care programs specific to those living with dementia and Alzheimer's. These programs work to manage symptoms and provide emotional support to the client and their family.
• You don't need to hire a caregiver because a family member takes care of you. It's great if you have a family member who can help you stay independent in your home, but caring for a loved one on top of juggling a career and other family obligations can be overwhelming. To help alleviate some of your family caregiver's workload, you can hire temporary or part-time care. Having a caregiver a few hours a week can give your loved one time to relax. It can also make the time you have with your family more rewarding because you'll be able to spend time together without having to schedule appointments or do chores.
• You have to be sick to receive home care. Seniors don't have to be medically diagnosed with anything to hire a caregiver. Some people hire caregivers for companionship and weekly help with laundry, cooking and light housekeeping. Other people have trouble moving about their home on their own and need assistance bathing and toileting. Whatever your needs, caregivers can work with you to create a custom care plan even if you're not sick.

Home Care with Visiting Angels

Visiting Angels understands the importance of aging at home. We've been working with clients for more than 20 years and have expanded to hundreds of agencies nationwide. Each office is independently owned and operated to keep us connected with each community and allow us to customize our services for each client. All of our caregivers are carefully screened, selected, and trained to ensure quality care for everyone.

The Visiting Angels Cullman office serves those in Cullman, Etowah, Walker, Marshall and Blount counties. If you're interested in learning more about Visiting Angels home care services, you can schedule a free consultation by calling 256.734.660 or filling out this form.