One-on-One Private Duty Home Caregivers Can Help Your Loved One Maintain Independence and Improve Their Quality of Life
As they age, your elderly family members may require additional help to prevent them from having to transfer to a facility that provides higher levels of care, such as a nursing home. For senior citizens who prefer to age in place, private duty care is a vital service for helping them live how they please.
Quality private duty care becomes necessary for a variety of reasons. Here, we outline four signs your loved one may need a one-on-one caregiver and how to find a reputable one in your area.
When Your Loved One Needs Assistance with Personal Hygiene and Other Daily Tasks, Private Duty Care Can Help
As people age and face complex medical issues, it can become harder to complete “tasks of daily living” – the everyday things people do to care for themselves and their homes.
Tasks of daily living can include bathing and other personal hygiene tasks, getting dressed, basic housekeeping, and taking medications on a regular schedule.
Your loved one may feel embarrassed that they have difficulty performing or don’t remember how to properly perform these tasks. Private duty care helps protect their dignity and feel their best.
When Getting Adequate Nutrition and Meal Preparation Become Difficult, Opt for Private Duty Care
Well-balanced nutrition is vital for good health. If your loved one cannot safely prepare meals or isn’t eating a healthy diet, private duty care services could help.
When your elderly loved one doesn’t eat, they can become more frail, more quickly. Their health may rapidly deteriorate.
A private duty caregiver can plan and prepare meals for your loved one and ensure they’re eating regularly. Eating consistent meals can help your loved one stay strong and healthy and can prevent hospital visits due to severe vitamin deficiencies, weakness, and other related ailments.
When Family Caregivers Need Respite, Professional Caregivers Step In
Family caregivers who devote their time taking care of loved ones need time away to focus on their own responsibilities or to rest. Private duty care is one of few care services that allow true respite care.
Family caregivers often neglect their own emotional, spiritual, and physical health. They can become overwhelmed, feel tired, and even burn out if they don’t get the rest they need. According to a survey from the National Alliance for Caregiving and the AARP Public Policy Institute, 40% of family caregivers say they’re emotionally stressed, and 20% say they’re physically strained.
- Signs of caregiver burnout can include:
- Sleep problems.
- Feeling hopeless, depressed, or anxious.
- Fatigued; low-energy.
- Feeling sick with stomach aches or headaches.
- Withdrawing from hobbies and other enjoyable activities.
- Neglecting your own needs.
- Difficulty coping with everyday things.
- Feeling unusually impatient or argumentative.
Private duty caregivers who provide regular respite care let family members get relief and reduce the likelihood of burnout.
When Your Loved One Can No Longer Be Home Alone, They’re Safe with Their Caregiver
Most family caregivers can’t be there for their loved ones 24 hours a day, every day. When a loved one can no longer safely be alone, family caregivers must find someone to fill in. By working with a professional caregiver who is carefully vetted by an agency, family caregivers can be assured their loved one is in good hands.
Private duty care is available in multi-hour shifts, including around the clock, and can be scheduled for as frequently – or infrequently – as necessary.
Even when a loved one doesn’t actively need help with tasks of daily living or meals, a private duty home caregiver is there to ensure their safety and provide companionship and socialization – all of which are important for maintaining good emotional and physical health.
Choosing Quality Private Duty Care Services in Missouri or Kansas
Professional caregivers are skilled at anticipating your loved one’s needs and building relationships with them based on trust. You don’t want to leave your loved one with just anyone, which is why it’s important to work with a reputable agency to be matched with a carefully vetted and trained private duty caregiver.
To find the best caregivers in your area, ask friends and family for references, read online reviews, or speak to your loved one’s physician for recommendations. Be sure to contact the top private duty care services in your area to learn more about their programs and to create a care schedule that works for you and your aging loved one.
