Struggling to manage your time with work, personal priorities, and beloved seniors? Thinking how you can give them senior care, especially now with the covid-19 threat, without compromising your other priorities?
Deciding what kind of care your elderly loved ones need can be difficult. You probably asked yourself if they need the kind of help only professionals can provide although it means being away with them. Fortunately, you have an option to give them home care to keep them with you. You may want to consider live-in care, which offers elderly care at the comfort of your home.
What is Live-in Care?
Live-in care is one of the home care services offered to people who can no longer take care of themselves alone, especially seniors. Home health care gives family members peace of mind while working or away from their older adults. A live-in carer will support your elderly loved ones with activities of daily living throughout the day, and even at night.
Live-in care is highly recommended by centers of disease control to persons who have complex medical needs or dementia and those with respiratory illnesses. Therefore, since they are in an assisted living there is a big chance that they may develop a sense of companionship which can lessen their loneliness and depression.
Who are Live-in or Home Care Providers?
Live-in caregivers stay in a patient’s home to give home care, personal care, and life care. They usually work with seniors and people who can no longer live alone.
A care provider’s duties differ depending on the needs of their patient. They will stay in contact with their family members and health care providers to keep them updated on the patient’s needs and general wellbeing.
To rest during the day and night, the law requires that a room will be provided to the live-in carer. They are also given 8-hour break from sleep at night and a 2 to 4 hours break during the day.
Usually, a live-in carer stays for a month or so and they will have 2 to 3 days off. During the day off, they will be relieved by another home care provider.
With live-in care, your older adults can still maintain independence and mobility without the need to stress in moving to another place.
Home Care during Covid-19
Covid-19 is a contagious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus. It is related to SARS Cov-2 although it is more fatal and deadly, Covid-19 is more infectious. According to research, seniors have a higher risk of obtaining the disease since they are mostly with a lower immune system.
Covid-19 pandemic is a threat for older adults, not just with their physical health but also with their mental health. Some countries are closing their borders and putting cities and provinces on lockdowns. Facemask or cloth face coverings and face shields are mandated to use in public places to contain the virus.
During this Covid-19 pandemic, home care for seniors is much needed since they have a higher risk of contracting the disease. Their mental health may also be affected as they are forbidden from going out. Home care services may help in keeping their minds away from loneliness and depression. To know more about covid-19 read the CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
Types of Care Provided by Caregivers
- Personal Care
These are things done of a personal nature. This may include bathing, showering, hair washing, oral hygiene, etc.
- Companionship
Having a companion helps in keeping the minds of your seniors active and prevents social isolation. Conversations encourage mental stimulation and positive thoughts that may give them peace of mind.
- Assistance with the activities of daily living
These are series of activities necessary for independent living at home. This may include basic communication, mobility, meal preparation, etc.
- Minimal nursing services
Persons with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s relateusetia also use home care services as they require assistance in mobility, but do not need higher-level nursing skills.
Tips on Choosing the Right Carer
Finding the right caregiver is a challenge. Lots of things need to be considered in choosing the right live-in caregiver for your older adults. Here are some tips you might want to consider in hiring the right person.
- Experience and Qualifications
The first thing you need to do is check that the person has the right skills and experience related to home care services. This is important if your loved one suffers from an illness. The most important thing is to conduct CRB/DBS check. You need to know that a carer is legitimate since you are entrusting the safety and security of your seniors. Some family members hire family caregivers to be sure and to have peace of mind.
- Be Honest
Be transparent about the weight and length of home care you expect to need. You do not want to be in a situation where your carer becomes under-qualified as your older adult’s care needs increase.
- Trial
You might consider running a trial shift. You will see how a caregiver gives assisted living and senior care to your older adults and see how he/she works. At first, it’s natural to feel a little awkward, and seniors may feel uneasy and be resistant to the idea. You should be able to foresee if the relationship will improve over time.
- Time Off and Holidays
You and the carer must make a clear agreement about the day off and holidays. Clarify the exact day off and how much notice you need when they do. This ensures that the carer can take appropriate day-offs, or else they won’t be able to give the best home care services. This allows you to make appropriate plans for cover when needed.
