caregivers in Denver for seniors | Elderlink Home Care - Part 2

As your parents age, it can be difficult to watch them struggle with tasks that were once easy for them. Taking out the garbage or loading the dishwasher suddenly takes much more effort and time than it once did. 65% of seniors between 60-70 easily live independently but only 43% of those above 70 years old can actually manage independent living. This does not mean they need to move residences—most wish to remain in the comfort of their own homes. Studies show that over 80% of seniors wish to remain in their own homes while they age, regardless of their physical condition. According to AARP, 90% of seniors plan to stay in their home at least 10 more years. They may need additional help with their day to day as they age, but how much? When considering your parents’ living needs, it’s important to understand the differences between in-home care and nursing home services. 5 Reasons In-Home Care May be the Better Choice for Your Aging Loved One 1. Friends and family can be more involved Your parents may not need 24-hour support. They may simply need help with things like bathing, light housekeeping, or meal preparation. Home care for seniors offers you the flexibility to hire a caregiver part-time, full-time, or 24 hours a day depending on the level of care they need. Care is very personalized at home. Your loved one will also receive one-on-one attention and care. This is tremendously beneficial for seniors. They can adjust to one person instead of several different caretakers and staff members at an assisted living or skilled nursing facility. 2. Flexibility to customize with caregivers Your parents may not need 24-hour support. They may simply need help with things like bathing, cleaning the house, or cooking meals. Home care for seniors offers you the flexibility to hire a caregiver part-time, full-time, or 24 hours a day depending on the level of care they need. Care is very personalized at home. This is tremendously beneficial for seniors. They can adjust to one person instead of several nurses and doctors coming in and out of their room. 3. Familiar surroundings maintain calmness Uprooting seniors who are established and comfortable in the home can be emotionally jarring. Moving is a stressful situation, not a relief, as they must essentially start over which is challenging for seniors. Some facilities don’t have private rooms—your mom or dad may have a roommate that they don’t know. This can be uncomfortable for them.  If possible, keeping them at home is best for them mentally. They know what to expect when they walk into the kitchen, living room, or bedroom. At night, they sleep in their own bed that that they’re comfortable in. They know the neighborhood and their neighbors. They have a routine they can maintain in their home. The consistency and control over their surroundings maintain their sense of calm. 4. The freedom to keep their own pets, maintain their familiar routines, and set their own standards. When you move into an assisted living facility or nursing home, you must play by their rules. Often, they don’t allow pets, and if they do only small pets or certain types are allowed. Giving up your pet is an understandably emotionally devastating event. This does not help your parents get better or live out their lives in happiness. Plus, it’s often not fair to the animal. 5. It is more affordable than a retirement or nursing home When compared to the cost of an assisted living facility or nursing home, home care can be a more affordable option for many seniors. The average annual cost of one nursing home residence is $69,715.00. The average annual cost of one assisted living facility resident is $36,372.00. (Source: MetLife Market Survey of Nursing Home & Assisted Living Costs) Seniors who wish to remain in their own homes are able to schedule care around their own needs. For example, 20 hours of home care a week with Elderlink Home Care, Inc., costs approximately $1600.00 per month or an annual cost of approximately $19,200. Taking care of a loved one is a joy and honor. However, you may find that you need additional help and expertise to ensure needs are being met and you are able to manage and maintain things in your own life. If you feel your loved ones need additional care let the experts at Elderlink help. We have a variety of services to fit the needs of your loved ones. Contact us today.

The field of senior care is complex and ever-changing. If caring for a senior parent or client is part of your life, becoming an effective caregiver for seniors is probably something that is important to you. Here are a few tips to help you stay on top of your duties as a caregiver and help you provide the best care possible for those you care for. 3 Ways to Become a Great Caregiver  1. Arm yourself with knowledge Effective caregiving starts with knowledge of your client: it is essential that you understand your loved one’s or client’s health conditions.Every client’s care needs are different and each condition they are dealing with will impact their life in a different way. Having a thorough understanding of how each condition affects them will help prepare you up to best meet their needs. Seek out information from clients’ physicians, nurses, family and friends. While the clients themselves are your main concern, many of their specific care needs can be better identified by speaking with others who have been involved in their care and have spent time around them. These people may also be able to relay information to you about things that happen when you are not around your loved one or client. 2. Evaluate your boundaries Know what can and cannot be talked about regarding physical care.Just like every client has different medical needs, every client also has different emotional needs. They will likely have different comfort levels regarding the discussion of their physical care. Carefully address sensitive topics with your client, their family members and other caregivers to ensure that everyone is comfortable with how and when they are discussed. A caregiver should never discuss a client’s physical needs with anyone not involved with the client’s care. Be the one to start the conversations regarding sensitive caring topics like toileting, bathing or feeding.Many seniors feel embarrassed or ashamed to admit that they need help with these basic daily functions, but it is your responsibility to reassure them that that’s what you’re there for. Starting the conversation and keeping it positive will help them feel more comfortable with the subject. 3. Know your “why” and care from the heart Any profession runs the risk of complacency and burnout. If you’re not feeling passionate about your work as a caregiver, it will show in your interactions with clients, and it may be time for you to revisit the reasons why you chose to work as a caregiver in the first place. Perhaps it was because you value the wisdom and experience of the elderly and you believe that they deserve respectful care? Or maybe it was because you just love helping others. No matter your reason, keeping it at the forefront of your mind can help you be at your best every day. Remember the positive impact you are able to make in another person’s life and on their family.Seniors are some of the most vulnerable members of our society. There is nothing more important than being the steady and trustworthy hand for someone when they are vulnerable. As a caregiver, you become a part of your clients’ and their families’ lives and you have the capacity to brighten those lives with your kindness and reliability. It is a relationship and a responsibility you should treat with the utmost respect. As time goes by, it’s normal to start thinking of caregiving as your “job,” but if you find yourself falling into that habit, try to alter your mindset and think of caregiving as something you wholeheartedly want to do, not just something you need to do. One of the ways to get yourself out of a rut is to tend to your clients with a purpose in mind each day. Ask yourself, “How can I make my clients’ quality of life better?” or, “How can I improve the bond of trust between my client and me today?” As you strive for true excellence, you will find joy in the journey. As you are working on becoming a better caregiver, you will find that a cooperative attitude will help you gain the trust of those you’re caring for. Trying to put yourself in their shoes will make it easier to be a more patient, honest, humble and responsive caregiver. Elderlink has a pool of caregivers who provide in-home care for seniors who need assistance with daily living activities. Take a look at our caregiver duty chart to see just one of the ways we support our caregivers in giving the best quality care possible.