How can in-home care help your aging loved one in this new normal period? If your parent, grandparent, or other family member wants to age in place, take a look at the top reasons to hire a home caregiver right now.
Skilled Nursing Service
Is your parent or grandparent cautious about going out in public? While you don't want to incite fear in your elderly loved one, you also don't want to put them at risk. Trips to the mall, window shopping, and many other out-of-the-home activities aren't necessary right now. But doctor's office and other related visits are important parts of the aging senior's healthcare routine.
Even though your loved one may still need to visit the doctor, a registered nurse (RN) or licensed practical nurse (LPN) can help with some of the other healthcare tasks at home. These may include:
- Medication administration. An RN or LPN can't prescribe medication. But a home nurse can help the aging senior to take their daily pills and possibly even administer some types of injections or start IVs.
- Monitor vital signs. Does the aging adult need a professional to take their blood pressure or monitor their respiratory rate? An at-home skilled nursing service provides this type of care - minus a trip out of the house to the doctor's office.
- Wound care.
The use of specialized dressings and techniques can reduce infection risks and help the aging senior to heal. A home care nurse can assess the senior's skin integrity and care for post-surgical wounds, injuries, or pressure sores.
- Telemedicine assistance. Some doctor's offices prefer to use virtual appointments instead of in-person visits - especially for patients who are at a high infection risk. A home caregiver can assist the aging adult with technology use and make this type of appointment easy.
- Lab services. Does your loved one need a blood draw? A visiting RN can provide this type of lab-related service in the home.
If your loved one needs these or other types of medical services at home, a visiting RN can help. This option means the senior can avoid time spent in medical center waiting rooms or interactions with people outside of the home.
Shopping Services
The medical center isn't the only place your loved one wants to avoid. They may also feel uncomfortable browsing supermarket shelves or walking through the local big box store. Higher-risk (for viral infection) seniors can avoid these out-of-the-house situations with help from a home caregiver. A professional home care service provides someone to:
- Grocery shop. Proper nutrition is crucial to the aging adult's overall health. A home health care assistant or aide can grocery shop for your loved one. This service provides your loved one with the healthy food they need, without setting foot in a busy store.
- Pick up prescriptions. A home caregiver can also pick up prescriptions and over the counter medications for the aging adult. Like grocery shopping, this service allows your loved one to stay home.
- Buy cleaning and sanitation supplies. Even though the aging adult may not leave their home often, anyone who comes into the space or lives in the household can bring germs in. The caregiver can shop for home cleaning supplies, gloves, and other sanitation items.
Not only does a shopping service give your parent or grandparent the chance to stay home (and away from potential infection/exposure), but it can also help if they have mobility issues. Older adults who have difficulty walking, balancing, or using fine motor skills can benefit from this type of home care help.
Does your aging parent or grandparent need extra help to live independently at home? Contact
Redi-Nurse
for more information.
