What Does a Home Care Aide Do
There is a common misconception that elderly home care assistance is always limited to a person’s medical needs. The truth is that home care is comprised of a range of helpful services that support an individual’s overall quality of life. Home care services are often not medical at all. The most popular care plans are designed to assist with activities of daily living that a person can no longer manage independently.
Home care assistants offer companionship to their clients, help them move safely around their home, get them dressed and groomed for the day, run errands, provide transportation, and help with household management. These services make it possible for countless older individuals to safely age in the comfort of their own homes.
In-home Caregivers Assist the Individual
Typically, elderly people and their families recognize a need for in-home care due to physical limitations. The individual has trouble getting to their feet, walking from room to room, using the bathroom or bathing independently, and cannot leave home without assistance.
Non-medical caregivers are the perfect resource for this kind of help. Home care aides are specially trained to attend to the personal needs of elderly individuals with respect and dignity. They help their clients get out of bed, use the bathroom, bathe, get dressed and groomed, and move about the home. Caregivers work in partnership with their clients, meaning they communicate their actions, ask for permission to assist when appropriate, and recognize the individual’s autonomy.
Relationships between clients and caregivers should be friendly and comfortable. It’s very important that the two individuals get along well and are a good personality match. Above all, the client must trust their caregiver because of the personal nature of the services. This positive environment is vital to ensuring the client’s safety and emotional well-being.
Non-touch Personal Care Services
Physical help is only one component of care disabled and elderly people need. When someone is aging at home, there are many other things that need to be managed as well. Non-medical caregivers are like personal assistants who help people get through all the tasks and activities of their day.
Home care aides provide help both in and out of the home. Inside the home, caregivers will:
Remind clients when it’s time to take medications
Prepare meals, take care of groceries, and clean up the dining area
Perform light housekeeping such as dishes, sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, and laundry
Monitor the home for safety and health risks
Provide general companionship and emotional support
Home care assistants can help outside the home as well. They support clients by:
Driving to and attending appointments as requested
Running errands while the client remains at home
Taking clients to stores, parks, or a family member’s home
Accompanying clients on walks or other exercise activities
Home care assistants will even go shopping for participants if needed. The caregiver will use the client’s cash or credit card to pay for the items and return a receipt for documentation. Just like with personal care, trust is one of the most important elements of a caregiving relationship. This is why it is important to always work with a reputable home care agency that values staff training and is responsive to client feedback.
Comprehensive Assistance for Seniors Living at Home
In-home care entails a full range of services. Many families don’t realize just how beneficial a home care agency can be in their loved one’s life. Home help services take caring for the elderly to the next level by tending to the whole person and all the activities of daily living that support their desire to live happily at home.
At Linda’s Care, empathy is our core value. We believe in providing meaningful care with a customized plan that ensures a high quality of life, safety, and peace of mind for the family. If you are wondering how home care could benefit your elderly parent, grandparent, or loved one, please contact us to learn more. We will help you determine the best level of care on a schedule that fits your needs and budget. Linda’s Care provides affordable and high quality home care services in Philadelphia, Montgomery County, Bucks County, Chester County, and Delaware County.