Learn the Signs That It’s Time To Find a Private Duty Caregiver Agency
No one hands you a playbook when you become a family caregiver. There isn’t a set of rules that guides you in making the best decisions for your loved one. You can rely on your intuition, advice from family members, and your loved one’s doctor or nurse, but sometimes, the path forward is uncertain.
One area where family caregivers struggle is when deciding whether it’s time to hire a private duty home caregiver in Kansas. Although everyone’s path to making this choice is different, we’ve decided to put together this resource based on our experience as a leader in Kansas private home care.
Basic Routines Are Beginning To Look Different
When you visit your loved one’s home, do you notice that common tasks and chores aren’t complete? Are morning and evening routines, regular meals, bathing, medication, or other habits beginning to change or go ignored?
Look for these signs:
- Clutter, disorganization, and neglected chores
- Unintentional weight loss or gain
- Unwashed hair or clothes
- Sudden disinterest in hobbies or activities
- Toileting accidents
- Missed or misused medications
- Neglected pets
If you notice signs like these, your loved one may be struggling to care for themselves at home. A Kansas private duty caregiver can help with the tasks of daily living, including meal prep and cooking, laundry, light housekeeping, pet care, medication reminders, hygiene, and more, so your loved one’s health and happiness don’t diminish, even as they find themselves unable to complete their daily routine on their own.
Your Loved One’s Condition Poses Safety Risks
If your loved one has a health condition that creates a fall risk or another threat to their safety, you may want to consider having someone in the home to ensure they’re safe.
Conditions like Alzheimer’s and dementia, Parkinson’s, weakness after a stroke, vision and hearing loss, or side effects from medication can cause issues like vertigo, forgetfulness, and confusion that can lead to dangerous situations in the home.
You don’t want to compromise your loved one’s safety while you’re unable to be at their side. To protect them, choose a Kansas private duty caregiver for home care that keeps your loved one safe. You should also consider noting any recent bruises, cuts, or injuries, which suggest that safety is already an issue.
They’re No Longer Able To Drive
Your loved one may not be able to drive themselves because of a health condition, physical limitation, or medication, but they still may find themselves in need of transportation for appointments, errands, and social activities.
When family members and friends are unable to offer a ride, a caregiver can step in and provide transportation. With a caregiver’s help, your loved one will be able to get where they’re going without risk.
You and Other Family Caregivers Need Help
Family caregivers often play a large role in taking care of a loved one. However, there may still be gaps in care when someone should be at their home. The best Kansas private duty care agencies offer caregivers on flexible schedules. Phoenix Home Care & Hospice offers a minimum two-hour time block, up to 24/7 round-the-clock care to help cover the times when family caregivers are not available.
You may also find that you and other members of your family have the time to care for your loved one, but your physical and emotional energy is fading. Caregiver exhaustion is a real phenomenon. Stress, fatigue, anxiety, and depression are common among those who care for a loved one. A Kansas private duty care team can provide relief for caregiver exhaustion, allowing you to take a break, recharge, and care for yourself, so you can return to your caregiving responsibilities refreshed and with a new perspective.
Independence Becomes Something To Nurture
Your loved one may not have exhibited signs that their care has fallen by the wayside. You may simply begin to recognize that you want your loved one to maintain their dignity at home. In this case, a caregiver can encourage and nurture your loved one’s independence by empowering them to use their strengths and seek help when needed.
An excellent Kansas private home caregiver understands how to strike a balance between assisting your loved one and nurturing their independence, so your loved one can continue to feel capable, dignified, and respected.
When the Idea of a Private Duty Caregiver Brings Relief
When the thought that help from a private duty caregiver agency in Kansas makes you feel relieved that your loved one will get the help they need, that’s a good sign that you should reach for care. You deserve to feel certain that a team of professionals has your loved one’s safety and care covered.
Choose a Phoenix Private Duty Caregiver in Kansas
Phoenix is committed to three core values – patience, honesty, and compassion – in our daily work with Kansas families. With a heart for service and a high standard of care, our caregivers perform their work well day in and day out, so you feel certain your loved one is getting the help they deserve.
One of the hardest parts of being a family caregiver is worrying about whether you’ve made the right choices for your loved one. When you choose Phoenix, you’ll know you’ve selected the very best private home care in Kansas.
Hutchinson: (620) 412-4993
Overland Park: (913) 384-2273
Topeka: (785) 260-6444
Wichita: (316) 688-5511
