Knowing the Right Time To Hire a Care Provider

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.