Many older adults prefer to stay at home, rather than moving into a long-term care facility as they age. Especially if they only need minor assistance with daily activities and maintain their independence within the comfort of their own home. Admitting they need help would mean they can’t take care of themselves anymore, and no one wants to lose their independence. Admitting they need help and accepting assistance is not easy for people as they age.

This doesn’t always mean that your parent has to go to a nursing home, but they may need some extra help in their home. How do you know if your elderly parent needs home care, if they’re not willing to admit it? Is home care right for your parent?

Why your parents should use an in-home caregiver

First you need to think about their home location and accessibility. Is their home in an area with public transit such as shopping and medical area? Is it requires a lot of driving? Is it safe and easily accessible?

Next is about accessibility and maintenance, i.e. large yard that needs to be maintained.

And think about support available when they need them. Do they have nearby family and friends that will be able to provide them the support anytime.

In case they have difficulties to leave home without help, isolation can rapidly set in. Losing connections from community service and hobbies that keep them motivated, can lead to depression.

There are many signs that may indicate your parent needs in-home caregiver: dirty house, wearing wrinkled clothes, missing important appointments, trouble getting up from a seated position, forgetfulness, decline in grooming habits and personal care, loss of interest in hobbies and activities, forgetting to take medications, etc.

They may be able to do everything yourself, or relying on family members for help. But sometimes, especially in certain circumstances, it’s good to be aware of in-home caregiver services available that may help them.

Where to find an in-home caregiver

One of the best ways to find an in-home caregiver is to get a personal recommendation from trusted family or friends. Ask friends, relatives, and neighbors about their experiences. Getting a first-hand opinion from someone who has used in-home care services can be very helpful.

The following steps can be helpful when trying to find the right in-home caregiver.

Before contacting prospective providers, create a list of your specific needs.

Make a call. Those which have nursing or social work programs, are good places to look for in-home help. Listings for these places can be found in your local phone book. Ask about what kind of help they offer and if it meets your specific needs.

Meet with a prospective home care agency or provider in your home. Prepare questions beforehand. Caregivers should describe the job in detail. Some suggested interview questions are: Where have you worked before? What were your duties? How do you feel about caring for a person with memory loss? How do you handle people who are angry? Are you trained in first aid and CPR? Do you have a car? Would you be able to transfer someone from a wheelchair into a car or into a bed? What days and hours would you be available? How many hours per week? Is there anything in the job description that you are unfamiliar or uncomfortable doing? Are you able to provide references? Are you able to provide back-up, if not available?

Make sure you have a chance to watch the interactions between the in-home worker and your parent before he/she start to do the job.

Care from the Heart as your Phoenix Arizona Caregiver

When your loved one is in need of home care in the west valley and Sun City area, you may choose Care from the Heart as your Phoenix Arizona Caregiver. They are a locally owned and operated company, and have been serving families in Sun City and the Northwest Valley for over 30 years. Their focus is on what is referred to as the Activities of Daily Living, which are everyday tasks that can drain your energy and desire to get out and live.

They can help some common tasks, include: bathing assistance, dressing assistance, meal preparation (making fresh meals, or even prepare and set meals up for several days, transportation (a ride to a doctor’s appointment, salon, or shopping, light housekeeping (dishes, clean bathrooms, mop and vacuum floors, and keep home beautiful), laundry, change your bedding, medication reminders, companionship, incontinence care, and also pet service (emptying a litter box, to walking and feeding).

Whether you’re looking for Sun City Caregivers as a primary provider of personal care services or as a supplement to your existing care providers, you can feel confident that you will receive the very best care possible.