Often, the best place for those over 50 to live is in their own home. In fact, surveys show that 76% of adults over the age of 50 wish to remain in their homes, signifying the popularity of aging in place in the United States. While remaining in your home well into your older years sounds ideal, it also requires planning and support. If your loved one has expressed that they wish to age in place, you need to consider the growing needs they may encounter as their health and independence decline. 

Let’s explore what aging in place involves and how finding a care provider can make this wish of your elderly loved ones a reality.

What Is Aging in Place?

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, aging in place is “the ability to live in one’s own home and community safely, independently, and comfortably, regardless of age, income, or ability level.” Essentially, it’s the idea that people can live out their later years at home, rather than moving to an assisted living facility or nursing home. With the emergence of personal care agencies, aging in place is a feasible option for many seniors, as care providers can help them with their increasing needs from the comfort of their homes.

Why Do Seniors Prefer to Age in Place?

Aging in place is an important part of living a meaningful life. Seniors prefer to age in place because it comes with the following benefits:

• More independence: When seniors live in their homes, they don’t need to adhere to the rules of an assisted living community or nursing home. They can choose their daily activities, such as meal times and social engagements.
• Stronger community connection: If a senior is attached to their community, they may want to remain in their home for as long as possible. Moving to a care facility makes it challenging to stay connected with old neighbors and friends, making the option to age in place more attractive to seniors who are involved in local happenings.
• Less change: Getting old comes with all kinds of change, such as deteriorating health. Adapting to change can be difficult for many seniors, so living in their home allows them to have one less change to overcome.
• Better mental health: While moving to a nursing home or assisted living facility may be necessary for some seniors, this life change can lead to loneliness and depression among elderly people. By keeping your loved one at home, they can continue to live a more meaningful life with a better sense of well-being and dignity.

Potential Barriers to Aging in Place

When your loved one expresses their desire to age in place, it’s important to take a realistic approach to this idea. While they might insist they’re fine alone at home, there are potential barriers to this living situation to consider:

• Mobility: As your loved one ages, they may have more difficulty moving around their home. It’s important to consider how they might get down the stairs, reach for items, and get enough exercise.
• Meal preparation: Maintaining proper nutrition at any age is important, but it’s especially essential for seniors who wish to prevent chronic disease and illness. As your loved one’s cooking abilities decline, you need to consider how they’re going to get the proper level of nutrition at home.
• Medical concerns: If you noticed your loved one is forgetting to take their medication, they may need someone around to remind them. Likewise, you may need to enlist extra help if your loved one is experiencing diabetes, high blood pressure, or increased forgetfulness.
• Safety issues: As your loved one ages, the odds of them experiencing a devastating fall at home increase. This is due to a decline in mobility and balance, as well as older bodies taking longer to heal. You want to ensure they can be safe living at home.

How Care Providers Make Aging in Place Possible

If you’re concerned about any of the barriers to this housing option for older people, know that there are ways to address each one. While there is a lot you can do to support your loved one at home, a skilled care provider can assist in many ways. This personal care professional is experienced in coming into seniors’ homes to assist them with daily living activities. These might include cooking your loved one’s meals, helping them remember to take their medications, doing daily wellness check-ins, accompanying them on neighborhood walks, and performing light housekeeping duties. Having someone come to your loved one’s home makes it possible for them to age in place gracefully.

3 Tips for Helping Your Parents Age in Place

These tips can help you create a more accommodating atmosphere for your parents from the comfort of their homes:

1. Find the Help They Need

As your parents age, you may take on the role of a caregiver. This means that you oversee their well-being, ensuring that they have a safe living environment. As a caregiver, you’re responsible for keeping track of their mental, physical, and emotional health. While this can be a daunting task, there are plenty of resources for you.

One exceptional resource is the help of a home care provider. This is a trained professional who can come into your parents’ home to assist them with daily living activities. They can visit several hours each day or provide 24/7 support, depending on your parents’ needs. Another resource is connecting with a community of personal care experts who can provide you with advice as you adjust to this major life change.

2. Prepare Their Living Space

Since the chance of falls significantly increases as people age, it’s crucial that you prepare your parents’ home for their later years in life. Here are a few ideas to consider:

• Install a stair lift
• Widen hallways and doorways
• Hire a care provider to keep common spaces free of clutter
• Move their bedroom to the ground floor
• Move everyday items within easy reach
• Install a shower seat and railing
• Remove shag carpeting or flooring that is a tripping hazard
• Install grab bars in common areas, like near the toilet or a staircase
• Replace old light bulbs with LED lights for better visibility

3. Establish Open Communication

Aging in place for seniors may be the ideal option, but it comes with a lot of planning. That’s why it’s essential to have these conversations with your loved ones early. Your parents might be apprehensive about the idea of having a new person come into their home to provide such hands-on services. They may feel nervous about allowing a trained professional to help them with more private activities, like grooming, bathing, or toileting.

Bringing up this conversation now gives your parents time to think through this decision. It also gives them a chance to express any thoughts or concerns they may have about such an arrangement. When having this conversation, remind them that living at home may require some additional help. Let them know you support their goal to age in place but need to be realistic about what this might involve.

Need help figuring out how to start this conversation? Check out this article from CareProvide.

As the caregiver for your elderly parents, you’ve got a lot on your plate. Along with ensuring your parents have the proper level of care, you have your own obligations to manage. While your parents’ needs grow, you may realize that it’s time to get some support. Although you may be on board with hiring a care provider, mom and dad may have different opinions. That’s why we want to help you have this important conversation.

Here, we explore several reasons your parents might need home care assistance and share five tips to prepare for this conversation.

5 Reasons Your Parents Need a Care Provider

Here are essential reasons your elderly parents may need a care provider:

1. Their needs are increasing. What started out as helping mom and dad occasionally may have turned into a part-time job. As they need more assistance with their daily activities, it may be time to get some additional support.
2. They need to get active. Care providers can help your loved one get more exercise, especially if they have mobility issues. A trained professional is aware of activities that meet their level of ability.
3. They can no longer prepare nutritious meals. If you notice mom and dad are eating a bland diet or even missing meals, it may be time to hire some help. A care provider can cook and serve meals that meet your parents’ dietary needs, which is especially important as they age.
4. Their home is becoming untidy. As older people experience mobility and balance issues, keeping their home clean can become a challenge. A home care provider can help with light housekeeping duties, like washing dishes, vacuuming common spaces, and clearing floors of clutter.
5. Their personal well-being is declining. Mom and dad may find it more challenging to keep up with their favorite hobbies and social obligations as they get older. A care provider can assist them in such activities, helping them maintain a higher standard of living.

5 Tips for Talking to Your Parents About Getting Help

When it’s time to discuss your parents’ care needs, consider these helpful tips:

1. Plan For the Conversation

Before you discuss home-based care with your parents, make sure your appropriate family members and decision-makers are aware of this decision. Consider meeting with them to go over your ideal care plan for your parents. Determine who needs to be a part of the conversation with your parents, as you don’t want too many people involved or it can become overwhelming for them. Plan what key talking points you all want to cover during your conversation.

2. Choose an Appropriate Time

Rather than bringing this topic up out of the blue, let your parents know you want to have an important discussion with them. Choose a private talking space, such as one of your homes, rather than discussing this over dinner at a restaurant. It’s best to choose a time when your parents are relaxed, as they may be more open to your ideas.

3. Make Your Case

Ask your parents if you can have their undivided attention so that you can share all your thoughts about their personal care plan. Share reasons you think they may need the help of a care provider in addition to yourself. Explain that their needs are increasing, and you want to ensure they are getting the appropriate level of support. You may also mention that your personal well-being is impacted by being a caregiver, though make sure to be careful about the way you phrase this. Do this from a place of love, being polite and empathetic as you share your own point of view.

Below are a few examples of what you might say:

“Mom, you know I am always here for you, no matter what. However, I have noticed that you are losing weight, and I am concerned about your nutrition. How would you feel about me hiring someone to cook you dinner and clean up afterward a few nights each week? I would help them understand your dietary needs, and I would even join you for a few meals as you get to know them.”

“As you both know, it’s been more of a challenge for me to balance my time with you in addition to caring for the kids. I’ve been thinking about it lately, and after I did some research, I’m finding that a care provider may be the support we need for you both. Essentially, this is a person who has experience and training in personal care. They can assist you with activities like gardening in the backyard or preparing a nutritious meal. Let me know your thoughts on this, as I want to find something you are both comfortable with.“

“Hey dad, I know this isn’t an easy topic for you, but I’ve been thinking a lot about your recent fall. As you know, I want to be here with you all the time, but my schedule makes that difficult. I was thinking, how would you feel about getting some extra help around the house? I know assisted living isn’t an option for you right now, so I have been looking into care providers who can give you some extra support here when I’m not available.”

4. Listen to Their Concerns

After sharing your thoughts, ask your parents what they think about hiring a care provider. Remember, their initial thoughts might be intense, especially if they haven’t considered this option before. Having a new person come into their home to help them with daily activities may seem like a drastic decision to them at first. Remind them this can be a gradual decision, and that you want to consider their thoughts and feelings. Ask them what they would want help with as you work together to create a plan.

Another way to help with their concerns is by doing research on home care agencies, such as CareProvide, so that you can answer any of their questions. Try to get a general idea of the costs associated with the level of care you need and how many hours you want a care provider to work with your parents each week.

5. Break This Conversation Up

Let your parents know they don’t need to decide this right away, and that you are open to discussing this again. Planning for elderly parents takes time and patience, so remember to stay calm during this process. Give them time to think about what you have to say, letting them know you’re here for them as they make their decision. Trying to be empathetic, imagining how they feel, can help you have a more productive conversation with them.

In-home care for parents is an adaptable service, meaning you can request additional services as your parents’ needs change. You may decide to ease your parents into personal care services and then have another conversation about adding additional support as their needs increase over time.

Looking for a care provider for a family member in the Annapolis area? CareProvide has an excellent network of experienced staff waiting to assist. Get connected here.

When choosing care on behalf of your loved one, it’s important to find a situation that fits their lifestyle, abilities, and needs. As aging in place becomes more common, more seniors are able to enjoy their later years from the comfort of their homes. While this living situation is ideal for many seniors, it also may involve getting them proper in-home care. As seniors’ health and physical well-being deteriorate, they may need even more extensive forms of care.

Here we explore the varying levels of care seniors can receive, focusing on in-home care, assisted living, and nursing home care.

What Is In-Home Care?

In-home care is when families hire outside help for their loved ones’ needs. Oftentimes, families partner with personal care agencies, like CareProvide, to find a trained professional who can care for their loved ones. A care provider can assist with everyday living activities, like meal preparation, light housekeeping, and daily exercises. This is the ideal option for seniors who want to age in place, as their care provider comes to their home. There is no need for these seniors to move into a care facility since all of their care takes place in their current home.

What Is Assisted Living?

Assisted living is similar to in-home care in that those who use this service have varying levels of needs. The key difference is that these seniors move from their homes into assisted living homes. Here, they will live among other seniors who need help with their everyday activities. Staff may come into their living space (which often resembles an apartment or condo) to help them with cooking, organizing medications, bathing, and other activities. Seniors can also partake in assisted living community events, such as shared meals, bingo, social hours, and entertainment.

What Is a Nursing Home?

A nursing home is where seniors who need more extensive care live. These facilities provide personal and medical services for seniors, with a higher emphasis on medical attention. Seniors with chronic health issues tend to need to move to a nursing home for around-the-clock attention. Those who live in these facilities may struggle with a more independent living situation, especially if they have deteriorating cognitive and physical health.

Differences Between In-Home Care vs. Assisted Living vs. Nursing Home

Learn how in-home care, assisted living, and nursing home care differ:

Level of Care

The level of care for each of these senior living services can vary. In-home care and assisted living are often reserved for seniors who need help with daily living activities. Factors like limited mobility, health concerns, and family resources may require these seniors to get outside help. Caregiving requires a lot of personalized attention and support, making this a challenge for many families to uphold for their loved ones.

Seniors who have rapidly declining health may need to move from in-home care or assisted living to a nursing home. This way, they can get more hands-on medical attention, rather than solely help with their daily living activities.

Level of Independence

In-home care offers the highest level of independence for seniors. Many people prefer to live out their golden years from the comfort of their own homes. Rather than having to adapt to the changes of aging in addition to moving to a facility, seniors get to continue to live their normal lives. The only difference is that a care provider is visiting their home to help with their care needs.

Assisted living offers slightly less independence, as seniors must adhere to the rules of the facility. For instance, these facilities often have strict guidelines to prevent communicable diseases and illnesses among their residents.

Nursing homes offer the least independence, as residents often adhere to meal schedules and regular medical visits. Likewise, family members typically need to check-in at a front desk to see their loved ones. They may have to follow specific guidelines when it comes to having their loved ones leave the facility for the day.

Costs

How much these services cost can vary based on your loved one’s medical coverage and insurance. Long-term facilities, such as assisted living facilities and nursing homes, costs can vary based on your loved one’s location, medical needs, and meal plans. In-home care can also vary due to your loved one’s needs. Paying for occasional help is likely to cost less than 24/7 support. When determining costs, it’s important to speak with the financial department of each facility or agency you work with.

Deciding Which Level of Care Is Right for Your Loved Ones

When determining your loved one’s level of care, ask yourself the following questions:

• What are the needs of my loved one? If they only need help with their daily living activities, then in-home care might be the best choice. If managing their home is too much and they want to live among other seniors, assisted living is an option. If they have severe medical needs, a nursing home might be something to consider.
• What can my family help with? As a caregiver, you feel responsible for the care of your loved one. When you need additional support with their care, you may seek help from a care provider who is trained in in-home care services.
• What does the future look like? Remember, the level of care your loved one receives can evolve. While in-home care services may be ideal for them right now, they may need more extensive care at a nursing home as they age. Plan for the future, while also considering your loved one’s current needs and desires.

Need help deciding what level of care to choose for your loved one? Fill out our questionnaire.

Knowing the right time to find a care provider for your loved one isn’t always easy. Many families struggle with feelings of guilt and apprehension when it comes to hiring a new person to come into their parents’ or loved ones’ homes. Before making the decision to hire a care provider, it’s important to know all the facts about home care assistance services. Let’s uncover what exactly a care provider does, along with the telltale signs that your loved one needs senior care services.

What Is a Care Provider vs. a Caregiver?

A care provider is a trained professional who takes care of clients who have varying levels of needs. They may provide full-time support or simply visit clients for several hours each week. Care providers have a background in personal care, meaning they can perform services, such as checking blood sugar levels, personal grooming, and creating meal plans based on dietary needs.

A caregiver is often a family member or close friend who takes care of their loved one. They are responsible for ensuring their loved one is getting the proper level of care based on their personal needs. This individual often has limited experience in care providing, as they are usually the adult children of their aging parents. Often, caregivers start out helping their loved ones, eventually recruiting professional help or resources to fill in the gaps and provide additional support.

Here are several ways care providers and caregivers differ:

• Expertise: A care provider has a solid foundation of experience and training before they help patients who are elderly or disabled. A caregiver often has little to no experience in this field prior to taking care of their loved one.
• Knowledge: A care provider knows what excellent care looks like. They know how to help clients with their nutritional, medical, and emotional needs. A caregiver may need to use online resources and a network of experts to help them figure out how to provide their loved one with the proper care.
• Relationship: A care provider establishes a professional relationship with their clients. They understand that getting help with things like toileting and bathing can be challenging for some clients to accept at first. A caregiver tends to have a much more intimate relationship with their loved one. They may want to create certain barriers with them to keep their relationship thriving.

What Does a Care Provider Do?

While the duties of a care provider can vary based on their client’s needs, here are several services they can provide:

• Help clients with daily grooming activities, such as bathing, toileting, and getting ready for their day
• Assist clients with daily exercises, joining them on walks or exercise classes
• Cook nutritious meals for clients, based on dietary needs and personal preferences
• Perform light housekeeping duties, such as vacuuming, washing dishes, organizing clutter, and dusting
• Accompany clients to social functions, helping them stimulate social connections
• Assist clients with their favorite activities, such as gardening, caring for a pet, or visiting grandchildren
• Coordinate doctor and personal care appointments for clients

What Is the Value of a Care Provider?

Care providers are a valuable resource for families for the following reasons:

Reduces Stress on Family Members

Being your loved one’s caregiver can quickly become a full-time job. Between helping your loved one get to doctors’ appointments, manage their medications, and shop for groceries, there is often little time for yourself. While it’s hard to admit, being a caregiver for mom or dad can lead to stress and resentment. By hiring a care provider, you can have more time for the other obligations in your life.

Ensures Proper Care of Your Loved One

Becoming a care provider takes extensive training and requires specific certifications. This is why it’s unreasonable for family members to take on all this work while they also have their own jobs and families to manage. By hiring a care provider, you’re ensuring your loved one is getting professional care from someone who specializes in healthcare at home in addition to general personal care.

Allows You to Cherish Time With Your Loved One

When you feel like you only see mom or dad to help them with their personal care, you may grow irritable when it’s time to pay them a visit. Relationships can’t thrive when you’re solely doing things for the other person. By having a professional care for your parents, you can use your precious time together for more enjoyable activities. Imagine having more time to bring the grandchildren over to their house without having to also worry about scheduling your parents’ doctors’ appointments and managing their meal plans.

Enables Your Loved One to Be More Independent

While it may seem contradicting, hiring a care provider to help your loved one can actually enable them to be more independent. By having regularly scheduled care, your loved one no longer needs to reach out to others for support. They can focus on their own lives more, having their care provider assist them with what they want to do. Now, they can easily go on a walk or attend social functions without having to coordinate with family members’ schedules. Their care provider is available to help in any way, supporting your loved one’s ability to make decisions on their own.

When Do Families Need Care Providers?

Families need care providers when it’s becoming difficult to manage their loved one’s care on their own. While some caregivers simply need an occasional break from their caregiving duties, others may have loved ones in need of 24/7 care, which isn’t reasonable for those with their own jobs and families. By hiring a care provider, you can increase your own bandwidth and get better care for your loved one.

Without finding the proper services, you and your loved one may become overwhelmed by your situation. By knowing you have a team of care-providing experts on your side, in addition to our extensive resources, you can trust that your loved one’s care is in good hands.

Not All Care Providers Are the Same

Having the right eldercare for your loved one starts with teamwork. Since care providing is an immersive career choice, industry turnover can be high. Not every home care agency treats its staff as it should. That’s where CareProvide comes in. We understand that giving our clients excellent care requires having a team of highly skilled and happy care providers.

We achieve this by investing in employee enrichment through our Inspiration Lab. Essentially, our Inspiration Lab involves a series of training to help our team members grow in their careers. We also provide hands-on support to our team, giving them weekly tips on how to be better care providers. Our staff also have access to a network of fellow care providers who they can go to for advice, support, and camaraderie.

Our team understands that it’s essential to support caregivers. By taking over the duties outlined in our INSPIRED™ framework, we can help your loved one live a more meaningful life. We design all of our services to provide your loved ones with individual attention that can lead to the enhancement of their quality of living.

Ready to find a care provider in the Annapolis area for your loved one? Connect with our team today.

It’s common for adult children to worry about their parents aging. As your mom and dad grow older, you may need to face the reality that some of their mental and physical health is changing. While certain aspects of aging are inevitable, there are many ways you can help the seniors in your life achieve healthier aging.

Let’s explore the essentials of aging better and how a care provider can assist with this aspect of life.

What Does Healthy Aging Look Like?

There are varying degrees of healthy aging for seniors. Some people naturally age well, while others need more support and care during their later years in life. Ideally, aging well is when you’re able to continue to do what you love throughout life. Those who are healthy seniors have access to social interactions, maintain a healthy diet, get plenty of exercise, stimulate their brains, and partake in various hobbies and activities. While your loved one’s health may decline over time, there are preventative steps you all can take to make the aging process more manageable.

What Are the Essentials to Aging Well?

It’s CareProvide’s mission to help seniors age well. That’s why we created the INSPIRED framework to help our care providers give exceptional care to those of varying needs. With better care, your loved one can enjoy better living and health. Let’s uncover essential aspects of aging well that our team assists with:

Inspiration Lab

Maintaining a healthy life requires ongoing learning and practice. That’s why our team of care providers is continuously completing training to adhere to the best practices in personal care. While other personal care companies may have the goal to quickly match clients with care providers, it’s our mission to get to know your situation, helping your loved one get the best care available. Our tight-knit team stays connected to ensure everyone can learn and grow from one another’s support.

Nutrition

Proper nutrition for seniors comes with all sorts of health benefits. A balanced diet can help prevent diseases, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, several cancers, and osteoporosis, which are all common diseases among older adults. By partnering with your loved one’s doctor or nutritionist, a care provider can help support better eating by preparing, serving, and cleaning up meals.

Safety

Staying mobile is essential to living a healthy life. When safety barriers get in the way of seniors, this can negatively affect their ability to move about their homes. Sudden falls or balance issues can put your elderly loved one in danger, meaning that they are no longer safe alone. In fact, the CDC reports that falls account for 32,000 deaths of older adults annually. With a care provider around, they can help your loved one with getting up, walking down the stairs, clearing floors of clutter, and other daily activities that can quickly become dangerous.

Personal Fulfillment

Along with healthy habits, having a sense of purpose increases longevity and more meaningful living. Care providers help elderly parents discover their passions and participate in their favorite hobbies. Activities like playing with a pet, going on an evening stroll, and gardening in the backyard are all great ways for seniors to stay active while also improving their sense of well-being. Care providers can help with such activities, while also coming up with other activities that are appropriate for your loved one’s abilities.

Independent

While some seniors struggle with the idea of losing their independence as they age, having a care provider at home actually allows them to make their own decisions later in life. Rather than thinking of a care provider as someone who oversees your parents, think of them as someone who can support your loved one’s abilities and personal agency. Elderly parents can continue to stay connected with the community and keep good mental health by feeling independent. Good mental health can, in turn, improve their mood, desire to stay active, and overall health.

Resilient

Resiliency helps seniors overcome the stressors of everyday challenges. Coping with stress is an essential life skill for seniors, especially since there is strong evidence that stress can lead to health issues, such as muscle pain, fatigue, insomnia, heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes. By having a care provider who can provide them with resources to be less stressed and more resilient to life’s challenges, your loved one can feel more content about aging.

Exercise

With regular activity, seniors can enjoy benefits, like a smaller chance of falls, better balance, lowered risk of disease, and better mobility. Care providers are well-versed in exercises that are appropriate for varying levels of ability. Hiring someone to help your loved one with their daily workout routines is how to promote healthy aging for them.

Dignity

Getting help can be a challenge for many seniors, which is why it’s essential to get them an appropriate level of care that supports their independence and happiness. Proper care can lead to better self-esteem, which also leads to improved mental health. One of the best tips for healthy aging is to get your loved one connected with a care provider who genuinely respects and supports their dignity.

Want INSPIRED care that can support better aging for your loved one? Get connected with CareProvide, a home care agency in the Annapolis area.

There comes a time in many adult children’s lives when they need to make important life decisions on behalf of their parents. What started out as helping mom and dad pick up groceries or mow the lawn may have turned into a full-time job for you and your family. While you want to ensure your elderly parents are cared for, you also need to have your own well-being in mind. By getting support from a care provider, you can make sure your parents get the care and attention they need, while you can focus on continuing to have a healthy and fulfilling relationship with them.

Let’s look at the right time to hire a care provider for parents, exploring how this important decision can benefit your loved one.

What Does Care Provider Mean?

A care provider is a highly trained professional who can give your loved ones the exact level of care they need to thrive. Those in this role typically provide support and assistance to seniors, those with disabilities, or those with other medical issues. They devote their professions to providing excellent care, ensuring those with additional needs can continue to enjoy a more independent and meaningful life with some extra support.

When caring for elderly clients, senior care providers typically provide the following services:

• Schedule and attend your loved one’s doctor appointments on behalf of a family member
• Keep your loved one properly groomed, helping with bathing, toileting, and daily grooming
• Remind your loved one to take their proper medications and supplements on time
• Provide various medical services, such as tracking blood pressure and monitoring sugar levels
• Plan, prepare, and serve nutritious meals for your loved one, adhering to diet requirements, such as gluten-free or low cholesterol diets
• Coordinate your loved one’s medical services with other health care professionals, such as speech, physical, and occupational therapists
• Perform light housekeeping that may be challenging for your loved one to uphold
• Provide social stimulation for your loved one, keeping them company and accompanying them at social events

The level of support a care provider can give depends on the needs of your loved ones. It can range from occasional at-home visits to 24/7 in-home care.

When Is the Right Time To Hire a Care Provider?

While deciding to hire a care provider may take a lot of thought and planning, having the resources to support and care for your parents is essential. Being your loved one’s caregiver can take a mental, physical, and emotional toll on yourself and your family members. By finding the help your family needs, you can continue to have a thriving relationship with your loved one and rest easy knowing a care provider is giving them the proper support.

As your loved one’s independence noticeably starts to decline, it may be time to hire a care provider. The services you use can increase as your loved one’s needs increase. While in the early stages of using a care provider, you may only need to hire them for several hours at a time. As your loved one continues to age, they may transition to more comprehensive services.

7 Reasons Your Parent May Need a Care Provider

Here are seven reasons you may consider hiring a care provider for your loved one:

1. They Can No Longer Cook for Themselves

While eating a balanced diet is important at all stages of life, it’s essential for seniors to eat well in order to increase their longevity and health. Healthy eating can help prevent many diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, several cancers, osteoporosis, high blood pressure, and heart disease. If you find that your parent or loved one can no longer shop for, prepare, or serve themself healthy meals, it may be time to seek help from a care provider.

2. They Find It Challenging To Stay Social

According to several studies, having regular social interactions is essential to a person’s well-being and quality of life. In fact, having the right level of social support can improve your loved one’s physical and mental health. As people age, it can be more challenging to maintain social ties, since their mobility and energy levels can have limitations. Having a care provider around ensures your loved one has company throughout the day. This trained hired professional can also accompany your loved one to community events and social gatherings.

3. Their Living Space Is Deteriorating

The next time you visit your loved one’s home, take note of their state of living. If you notice dishes piling up, scattered laundry, unusual odors, or otherwise messy living, this can be a sign they need some help keeping their home tidy. Cleaning requires mobility and balance, making it difficult for some seniors. In addition to a messy living space being unsightly, it can also pose a threat to your loved one’s safety. Clutter can become a tripping hazard, which is why they may need a care provider to clear hallways and other living areas.

4. Their Level of Exercise Has Decreased

Another common reason families hire home care assistance is to help their loved one stay active. Regular exercise has all kinds of benefits for seniors, such as improved balance, strength, mood, cognitive function, and disease prevention. If you notice your loved one is gaining weight or it seems their strength is deteriorating, they may need a care provider to help them get moving again. This trained professional can accompany them on daily walks or even bring them to senior exercise classes.

5. They Have Experienced Health and Safety Issues

One major sign your loved one needs help is if they are experiencing more health and safety issues. While a young person can easily recover from a fall, this same injury can lead to tragedy for an elderly person. If mom or dad are having more falls and balance issues, you may need to hire a care provider to ensure they’re safe at home.

6. They Need Extra Medical Attention

A care provider for elderly clients can also oversee chronic disease management and medication intake, helping your loved one receive proper medical attention. As a caregiver, you may find it challenging to manage your loved one’s medical needs, such as medicine intake, toilet breaks, physical therapy exercises, and anything else that arises. By hiring a trained professional, you can ensure your loved one has expert-level care rather than doing it all on your own.

7. Your Own Well-Being Is Suffering

While many of these reasons to hire a care provider involve your loved one’s well-being, you also need to think about yourself. Being a caregiver can quickly become a full-time job, which can lead to stress and resentment. While you cherish time spent with your parents or loved ones, you may prefer to see them for happy occasions rather than solely caretaking duties. If you find that your own physical, mental, and emotional health is taking a toll, it may be time to seek well-deserved help. Your loved one should want you to be happy and maintain a meaningful relationship with them that’s free of obligations.

Are you ready to get your loved one home care services? CareProvide can help. Connect with our team to find the right care provider for a family member in Annapolis and surrounding areas.