Four Benefits to Hiring a Private Caregiver in Long-Term Care
Moving an aging loved one to a long-term care facility can be a difficult transition for everyone involved. Family members often worry about their aging loved one before, during, and after the move. Will my loved one fit in? Will their needs be met? How will they adjust? Is this the right place for them to spend the last years of their life? Are we making a big mistake? While circumstances might merit the move, it doesn’t
mean that it’s an easy thing to do. After all, change can be very uncomfortable for any of us, regardless of age. There are many emotional factors involved in such a move, from fear and guilt, to sadness and anxiety.
When such a move is necessary, there are many positive aspects about long-term care that outweigh the negative, especially when an aging loved one requires around-the-clock nursing care. Other benefits include well-balanced meals, proper medication administration, opportunities to socialize and participate in activities, and assistance at the call of a button. Yet, it is extremely important to recognize that the transition from home to long-term care is very challenging, for the one moving, as well as the family members involved. Even after the initial move, and to the most friendly, welcoming, and home-like facility, it can take months for a senior to feel at home in their new space.
This is where a private caregiver can come in handy. Many families don’t realize that they are able to hire a private caregiver for their loved one living in a long-term care facility. Whether you’re thinking of moving your loved one to a long-term care facility, or currently have a loved one living in such a setting, here are four benefits to hiring a private caregiver in long-term care.
Familiar Face in an Unfamiliar Place
Hiring a private caregiver gives your loved one at least one familiar face as they transition to long-term care. Initially, your loved one will be bombarded with new faces. Between nursing staff, dining workers, activity team members, administrative members, and current residents living at the facility, there are many new faces and names to learn. A private caregiver can assist your loved one by being a constant presence when you’re not available to be there. They can help your loved one adjust to the new environment, ensure they don’t get lost, and reassure them that help is on the way when they need it. If your loved one has a current private caregiver in their own home, and you’re considering making the move to long-term care, their current caregiver can be a part of the move, providing even more stability in the transition.
Helps Maintain Routine
Private caregivers also help your loved one maintain their usual routine. The reality of living in a long-term care facility means that there are many residents assigned to a handful of care staff. While facilities are required to provide adequate staffing, no long-term care facility can provide a one-to-one ratio. This means that there will be times when your loved one will have to wait until the facility’s care staff can attend to their needs. This is where a private caregiver can come in and assist your loved one on their preferred schedule. Some facilities even allow private caregivers to provide an additional bath or shower, so your loved one is bathed more than twice a week. In addition, a private caregiver can escort your loved one to appointments outside the facility, when it’s convenient for them, and not according to the facility’s transportation schedule. Your loved one can continue to see their preferred doctor, keep their standing hair appointment at their preferred salon, or meet their friends for lunch, with the assistance of a private caregiver.
Provides Social Support
A private caregiver can help your loved one make new friends and adjust to a new, social environment. Too often, family members expect their loved one to participate in every activity offered by the facility. However, if your loved one wasn’t a big participator prior to the move, chances are they aren’t going to become social butterflies overnight. A private caregiver can become a cheerleader for your loved one. They can escort your loved one to group activities, help them participate, and give them confidence knowing that they have a way out if they want or need to leave during the activity. In time, your loved one will make friends and find activities best suited for them.
Helps in the Prevention of Loneliness and Depression
Ironically, making the move to long-term care can be very isolating and lonely for older adults. Although they are surrounded by peers, many older adults feel isolated and have difficulty forming new connections. Your loved one may prefer the comfort of their own room during down time and be overwhelmed eating all their meals in a common dining area. Initially, they may have feelings of depression as they downsize to a small one-room studio apartment and say goodbye to a well-loved home. A private caregiver can offer companionship during a difficult life transition. They can listen and empathize as your loved one expresses their feelings. They can provide one-on-one socialization for your loved one, playing games with them, reading to them, or engaging them in their preferred hobbies. They can also serve as an intermediary, sitting with your loved one at meals and helping them make connections in their new home.
Visiting Angels Fort Worth is here for you if you’re considering moving your loved one to long-term care, or if you already have a loved one living in a long-term care setting. Our elderly companion care services provide the social interaction and helping hand that many seniors need to live happily at home, wherever home is. Companion care is perfect for older adults living in long-term care, and provides the company, conversation, and security of a dedicated care companion. Let us help you make the move as smooth as possible. Give us a call today so that we can learn more about your situation.