The Benefits of Hiring a Caregiver

As we age, we encounter changes in our life that can make simple tasks such as walking or bathing more challenging to do. At some point, we may have to consider help to ensure our safety and well-being. Admitting you need assistance isn’t easy but finding the proper care doesn’t have to be an overwhelming experience.

 Older adults have plenty of options for care assistance, and each has advantages. However, many seniors overlook at-home caregiving or may not think it’s a viable option for their needs. Caregivers provide many services and can significantly benefit seniors, even those living with severe conditions who need more hands-on expertise.

The Role of a Caregiver

A caregiver is anyone who provides non-medical care to another person. A caregiver can be a family member or a hired professional. If you choose to hire a trained caregiver, they can provide full-time, part-time or temporary care. Caregivers can also work in conjunction with a hospice team for end-of-life care or palliative care to help clients living with a severe illness.

Caregivers provide a variety of services depending on the need of the client. Some caregivers primarily focus on companionship. Many older adults experience severe loneliness and social isolation, leading to more severe mental and emotional health concerns such as depression. Caregivers who provide companionship focus on creating meaningful social interactions and assisting with daily tasks such as meal preparation, light housekeeping and transportation around town.

Some caregivers provide a bit more personal assistance in addition to companionship. For seniors with physical limitations, caregivers can help with non-medical activities such as medication reminders, bathing, toileting and dressing. In cases of dementia, trained caregivers can tailor their assistance to include walking assistance and emotional support and guidance to families.

The Benefits of a Caregiver

There are plenty of options for assistance as you age, but caregivers can provide unique benefits to help you live a safe and quality life at home.

• Help you maintain independence- Many older adults can care for themselves but need help with small things like putting groceries away or carrying laundry from one room to another. With an at-home caregiver, you can continue to live independently, reassuring that someone is available if you need help.
• Personalized help when you want it- One of the great things about a caregiver is choosing when you receive care and what type of care you receive. The caregiver’s goal is to improve your life, and that means creating a customized care plan specific to your needs. If you only need help once a week for assistance with grocery shopping and light housekeeping, that’s what the caregiver will provide. If things change and you need more help, you can talk to your caregiver about delivering a more flexible care plan to include any new needs.
• Minimal disruption to your current life- Some care options require seniors to move to a hospital or assisted living community. Other care options may require a nurse or medical staff to provide care on their schedule, meaning seniors must rearrange their day for assistance. Home care caregivers work around your schedule and do their best to keep disruptions to your life minimal. Your caregiver is there to help you and work with you to maintain your current life as much as possible.

The Caregiving Approach at Visiting Angels

At Visiting Angels, we understand the importance of wanting to age at home where you feel the safest and comfortable. We started more than 20 years ago as a small local agency and have grown to hundreds of agencies worldwide. Each office is independently owned and operated, keeping us close to each community and customizing service for each client. All our caregivers are carefully screened, selected, and trained to ensure quality care for everyone.

If you or a loved one wants to hire a caregiver, the team Visiting Angels Horsham is happy to help. Our Horsham office serves those in Horsham, Hatboro, Willowgrove, Ambler Lower Gwynedd, Spring House and the surrounding areas. If you’d like to learn more about our services during a free consultation, give us a call at 215.938.7202.