Elder Care At Home - What Are Your Options?

By: Yewande D. Awoyemir

Many surveys have shown that people prefer to stay in their own homes as long as possible as they age. We should not be surprised. Most of us would rather stay where we are comfortable than move to someplace unknown with new schedules and someone else's rules.

In-home care has come a long way in recent years. Seniors living at home are able to hold on to the feeling of independence while having the help they need with every day life. Being in familiar surroundings can be therapeutic in so many ways. Often the caregivers are family members at first, but before long, a new level of help may be needed. If your loved one needs or soon will need extra help, what are your options?

The decision on the level and frequency of care will often be based on health conditions as well as the realities of daily life. In-home care can be provided on a daily basis, or the caregiver may live-in to provide round-the-clock availability. How well a person is able to handle the "activities of daily living" will be a basic question. Does your loved one need regular help with eating, bathing, dressing, toileting, or transferring? The amount and frequency of assistance needed, plus the need for monitoring medications, will indicate what level of in-home care is best for your loved one.

When you select an elder care service provider, make sure that designate a Care Coordinator who will work with you and create a plan that meets your loved one's needs.

To learn more about elder care services, please visit www.Dubols.com, or call (301) 497-8968 for a complimentary in-home assessment. Dubols is committed to excellence in elder care, for we know that your loved one's health blossoms with tender care.