Peace of Mind as You Age in Place
As we age, we may find ourselves in a situation where we may not be able to take care of ourselves. While some of us have family members who can help at times, with the combination of working families and those whose loved ones are out-of-state, we may find ourselves questioning what our next step should be in order to stay at home. This is where ABC’s Assisted Living at Home program can help.
What is an Assisted Living at Home?
Nearly 90 percent of seniors want to stay in their own homes as they age according to AARP.org. Is that what you’d like to do too? If yes, you may want to consider putting together your plan for an “Assisted Living at Home.” Having a relationship with an agency like ABC Home Healthcare is a key factor in this plan.
Jeannette Sheehan, RN, CCM, BC-FNP, Nurse Manager at ABC Home Healthcare says, “The familiar surroundings of home provide comfort, security and stability. At home, friends and relatives can drop in whenever they like without having to refer to visiting times.” For many, the choice to move into an Assisted Living facility is the best choice for a variety of personal reasons. Although for others, who may not want to leave their home, hiring a Live-in Caregiver may be the perfect solution. Live-in programs offer one-on-one help as well as the safety and comfort of knowing that someone is nearby around the clock. Our live-in caregivers also have immediate access to a nurse when your condition changes in any way.
What Does a Live-in Caregiver Do For You?
Live-in Caregivers assist you with all your personal care needs. Just as important, though, caregivers can take care of all those things that are part of your daily life. From running errands and preparing food to replacing lightbulbs and sewing on buttons your live-in caregiver can cover those tasks. The Live-in Caregiver will also be a companion for you. They will share the activities that you enjoy, whether playing cards or reading or watching TV. At the end of the day, it’s the Live-in Caregiver who helps you into bed, and makes sure you are comfortable and safe for the night.
What Should I Look for in a Caregiver?
Finding a good personal match for you is just as important as finding a caregiver with home care training. An agency like ABC will work with caregivers to help them understand family dynamics and when it’s important to ask for help from the family. When setting up a live-in arrangement with family members, our nurses work to involve the client in determining a good match. They will ask, “What do you like to do? What are your interests?” This information is as important as the client’s medical condition, because the caregiver is going to become part of the patient’s life.
Does the Caregiver Live With Me?
With a Live-in Caregiver, the caregiver stays with the client in their home. A client may worry about a non-family member living with them. In many cases, the caregiver and client develop a friendship meaningful to both. Sometimes clients, especially those with difficult conditions, find it hard to believe that someone will really stay with them 24/7. However they quickly come to see how they can rely on their live-in caregiver.
What Kind of Living Arrangements Should I Provide?
When you hire a Live-in caregiver, they need a comfortable, private place to sleep at night. Some clients worry about supervising the live-in caregiver. However supervision is ABC Home Health Care’s responsibility, and our ABC team of nurses provides close support. Furthermore, ABC’s live-in caregivers are not just sitters. If a worker is concerned about a client’s condition, they are trained to call ABC. One of our nurses will respond immediately. We stay in contact with our caregivers, you and your family, on a regular basis to see how things are going.
Is Hiring a Live-in Caregiver Affordable?
Live-in care is covered by private pay, or long-term care insurance. Some elderly and disabled people with a limited income may be eligible for home care or supportive services funding. If you have questions about the program or costs associated, give ABC Home Healthcare’s a call. We are very proud of ABC Home Health Care’s live-in team; how amazing the workers are. We know it takes a special person to dedicate their life to be a caregiver for others.
For more information on any of our services including our 24-hour Assisted Living at Home please call ABC Home Healthcare at (781) 245-1880.
