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Author: ltcep2023

Six Benefits of Companion Care at Home for Isolated Seniors

Posted on by ltcep2023

Seniors tend to spend a lot of time alone, especially after experiencing life changes like retirement or health issues. They may have also experienced loss of people they love or mobility challenges that leave them feeling isolated and alone. Companion care at home is one solution families might consider to help seniors avoid loneliness and isolation.

Improved Mental Health

Home care providers who focus just on companionship help seniors to boost their mental well-being. Spending prolonged periods of time alone can lead to depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues, so seniors need tools and support that helps them to feel valued and understood. Companion caregivers and seniors get to know each other well, getting comfortable with each other and sharing thoughts, concerns, and things that bring them happiness.

Increased Cognitive Stimulation

Spending time with other people is also an activity that supports cognitive stimulation for seniors. Talking with other people, engaging in activities, and having something to look forward to all boosts brain health. Seniors find new ways to remain curious and might be encouraged to learn more or explore new hobbies and ideas.

Healthier Habits

One surprising benefit of companion care at home is that seniors may be encouraged to stick with or adopt healthier habits. This can happen as seniors start to feel happier and more interested in general well-being. Seniors might go on walks with companion caregivers, for instance, or take up hobbies like yoga or meditation. Spending time with other people can also help seniors to get more excited about things like eating healthier meals and snacks.

Reduced Stress Levels

Social connections that are enjoyable help seniors to feel less stress overall, but they may not realize that there are chemical reactions in the body that explain why that’s true. Connecting with others helps to slow down cortisol production, for example. Cortisol is a hormone related to stress, so reducing those levels allows seniors to reduce the symptoms of stress they experience. Other chemicals like endorphins and oxytocin help boost mood and feel good as they get released, and spending time with others can help to release those chemicals.

Improved Sleep

Another surprising impact of companion care at home might be that seniors start to sleep better overall. This can happen for a variety of different reasons. First, if seniors are more active during the day they’re more likely to sleep better. But social connection can improve emotional wellness, which also helps seniors to rest better when they lie down to go to sleep. As they sleep better, their energy levels may also improve, helping them to feel better overall.

Improving social engagement has so many ripple effects that help aging adults to have a better overall quality of life. Companion care at home is one of the easiest ways for seniors to fill their time and reduce their loneliness and isolation. Companion caregivers help seniors to find the social support they need to reconnect with the world around them in a larger way. As aging adults experience these and other benefits, they may find that they enjoy life far more than they did in the past.

Reference
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/aging-place/aging-place-growing-older-home

If you or an aging loved one is considering companion care at home in Orinda, CA, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Walnut Creek. (925) 203-3039.

Why Is Staying Hydrated Key for Seniors?

Posted on by ltcep2023

Hydration becomes so much more crucial as seniors grow older. Proper hydration gets overlooked easily, but it’s a huge part of maintaining overall well-being, preventing dehydration, and improving cognitive function. Seniors may experience challenges related to lack of hydration without realizing that’s the problem. Senior home care providers can encourage seniors to stay properly hydrated while helping with other tasks and needs.

Why Does Hydration Matter?

The human body relies on water to keep organs functioning properly and to support major bodily functions. Mild dehydration can affect how the brain works, leading to confusion, trouble concentrating, and memory problems. Dehydration also contributes to urinary tract infections, kidney problems, low blood pressure, and digestive issues. Proper hydration also helps the body regulate temperature and keeps the immune system functioning properly.

Encouraging Hydration

As important as hydration is for seniors, they don’t always get as much water and other fluids as they should. Home care providers can offer lots of reminders for seniors to sip fluids throughout the day. They can also help seniors to keep track of how much water they’re getting. Drinking a variety of different fluids helps with the boredom that many seniors experience when focusing on water only. Milk, herbal tea, and clear broths are all excellent ideas.

Serve Smaller Portions More Often

One way to help seniors stay better hydrated is to encourage them to eat smaller meals more often. This is especially helpful for seniors who might experience trouble with bloating or conditions like COPD, where the lungs affect how much seniors can eat or drink. Snacks and meals offered with a glass of water each time can help seniors get more water with less effort.

Track Fluid Intake

For most seniors, a general estimate of how much water they’re drinking is really all they need. If seniors need to be more precise about how much water they’re taking in, their healthcare providers can help them determine how much they need. A simple log works, but there are also smartphone apps that make fluid tracking more fun.

Create Hydration Routines

Having a hydration routine is a good plan for seniors who aren’t usually getting enough water. Senior home care providers can help seniors figure out routines that allow them to meet all of their goals, including drinking more water. When water and other fluids are easy to access, seniors are more likely to drink as much as they should. Seniors may also have more preferences around water than they realize. For instance, they might enjoy water with ice more than without ice or drinking through straws instead of from a glass.

Proper hydration is an easy way to solve a lot of potential issues for seniors that they might not realize are related to lack of adequate fluid intake. Reminders, routines, and figuring out what works to make hydration more enjoyable for aging adults is a lot easier with the help of senior home care providers. Home care services can also help seniors solve other challenges they face as they try to age in place.

If you or an aging loved one is considering senior home care in Lafayette, CA, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Walnut Creek. (925) 203-3039.

Supporting Seniors with Hearing Issues: Navigating the Highs and Lows

Posted on by ltcep2023

Hearing loss is a prevalent issue among seniors, affecting their quality of life. According to the World Health Organization, approximately one in every three persons over the age of 65 has debilitating hearing loss. While this condition can quickly impact communication and social relationships, there are effective approaches to assist seniors in navigating both the emotional and practical aspects of hearing loss. Here are a few things to know about hearing loss and how home care can help.

Understanding the Impact of Hearing Loss

For many seniors, hearing loss is much more than simply losing the ability to hear sound. It also has an impact on their capacity to communicate, enjoy social occasions, and feel connected to their loved ones. One important task for family members and home care when it comes to assisting seniors is to recognize the impact and handle the situation with empathy. Also, it’s important to consider how it may influence their confidence, self-esteem, and sense of independence.

Creating a Supportive Communication Environment

Changing how communication happens is one part of supporting seniors with hearing issues. This doesn’t mean shouting, but rather speaking slowly, clearly, and at a reasonable volume. The truth is that shouting actually makes it harder for those with hearing issues to hear. Also, face-to-face conversations allow seniors to read lips and facial expressions, which can improve comprehension. With these things in mind, it’s important to keep background noise and distractions to a minimum. Also, to promote lip-reading and better listening in group settings, seniors need to be seated in a well-lit area that is closer to the speaker.

Additionally, practicing patience and being okay to repeat things is essential. If seniors are having difficulty understanding, it’s important to reword the sentences rather than simply repeating them, as particular sounds or words may be more difficult to digest.

Promoting the Use of Hearing Aids

Hearing aids can be quite beneficial for seniors with hearing loss. However, many seniors are hesitant to use them due to stigma, inconvenience, or the belief that they will not be effective. Home care and loved ones can help seniors be more comfortable with wearing hearing aids by providing them with education, ensuring they meet with the audiology team, and offering moral support. Also, assisting with hearing aid maintenance, such as cleaning, battery replacement, and other tasks, might help alleviate their anxiety.

Practice Active Listening

Making seniors feel heard, whether they have hearing loss or not, is critical to their well-being. Active listening includes giving them undivided attention, acknowledging their emotions, and allowing them to express themselves. This demonstrates that they are valued as well as what they say is valued. For seniors who might be less willing to talk due to their hearing issues, ask open-ended questions that encourage them to process their feelings.

Exploring Assistive Technologies

Aside from hearing aids, a range of assistive technology can help seniors hear better. These include amplified telephones, television listening devices, and personal sound amplifiers. Closed captioning on television shows, as well as specialized alarm clocks or doorbells that use flashing lights instead of sound, can also assist seniors and keep them safe.

When dealing with hearing issues, especially if they’re new, seniors need a strong support network who understand their hearing issues. This network can include family, friends, home care, and others who will encourage seniors to express their feelings and try new technologies to help them better handle the highs and lows of hearing loss.

Sources:
https://www.ucsfhealth.org/education/communicating-with-people-with-hearing-loss
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7295162/
https://www.helpguide.org/wellness/health-conditions/hearing-and-mental-health

If you or an aging loved one is considering home care in Moraga, CA, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Walnut Creek. (925) 203-3039.

How to Help Seniors Aging in Place Feel Safer at Night

Posted on by ltcep2023

Aging in place is a popular choice among seniors due to the comfort and familiarity it provides. However, it can also raise a number of concerns, including safety at night. Thankfully, with the right supports in place as well as assistance from elder care, seniors can take steps toward feeling secure in their own homes so they can continue to be independent.

Improve Home Security

Enhancing home security is one of the most effective ways to improve seniors’ nighttime safety. Modern security technologies are accessible and can be tailored to any home. Some of the strategies that seniors and their family members might consider include the following:

  • Smart Locks: Replace traditional door locks with smart locks that enable keyless entry. This reduces the likelihood of seniors misplacing keys or fumbling with locks late at night.
  • Alarm Systems: Consider installing a security alarm system that will notify authorities if a door or window is tampered with. Some systems include panic buttons, which seniors can easily access in an emergency.
  • Video Doorbells: With these devices, seniors can see who is at their door without having to open it. The ability to monitor visitors can provide peace of mind, especially if unexpected visitors arrive at unusual hours. Elder care can work with seniors during the daytime hours to get them used to how these devices work.
  • Exterior Lighting: Install motion-sensor lights around the home’s perimeter. Well-lit areas deter potential intruders and help seniors avoid tripping while walking outside after dark.

Establish a Nighttime Routine

While it’s important to not add to their fears, having a consistent nighttime routine can help seniors feel more secure and settled before bedtime. Some of the things they might incorporate into their routine include:

  • Securing Locks and Doors: Check and lock all doors and windows before going to bed. Some seniors may find it useful to use a checklist to ensure that everything is complete. Elder care can help them create this list as well as update it regularly.
  • Create a Bedside Emergency Plan: Seniors should keep essential items on their bedside table, such as glasses, a flashlight, a phone, and any medications within arm’s reach. Having these items on hand can help to reduce stress during the night.
  • Use a Personal Alert System: A wearable device, such as a medical alert bracelet or necklace, lets seniors call for assistance if they fall or experience another emergency during the night.

Improve Indoor Lighting

Navigating through a dimly lit house can be difficult for seniors, raising the risk of falling. Elder care and family members can go through the home, noting where lights need to be added, such as in hallways, on stairways, and in bathrooms and bedrooms. Motion-sensor lights inside the home are also an excellent option, since they automatically turn on when seniors move about.

Stay Connected

Staying in touch with family or neighbors can give seniors who live alone a sense of security. Family members can schedule regular check-ins or use video calls to connect each night or arrange for neighbors to check in on seniors. Additionally, families may consider installing monitoring systems that allow them to check on loved ones remotely while respecting their privacy.

Helping seniors feel safer at night while aging in place requires a combination of practical measures and emotional support. Loved ones and elder care can work together to ensure that seniors enjoy their independence while remaining safe by incorporating some of the tips above.

Sources:
https://www.ncoa.org/adviser/sleep/home-safety-older-adults/
https://www.frontpointsecurity.com/blog/tips-for-senior-safety-when-aging-in-place
https://www.aarp.org/home-family/your-home/info-2021/aging-in-place-checklist.html

If you or an aging loved one is considering elder care in Walnut Creek, CA, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Walnut Creek. (925) 203-3039.

How Can Alzheimer’s Disease Affect Your Mom’s Personality?

Posted on by ltcep2023

If your mom has Alzheimer’s, you may notice some changes in her personality as the disease progresses. Alzheimer’s can affect seniors in many different ways because of the way that it affects the brain. Even though this is a normal symptom of the disease, it can be very difficult to process. If you’re taking care of your mom and you are starting to feel overwhelmed or burned out by the demands of caregiving, Alzheimer’s care at home can help.

Alzheimer’s care at home is specialty care for seniors with Alzheimer’s that live in their own homes. When your mom has Alzheimer’s care at home you can take the time off that you need to process your own emotions knowing that your mom is safe and comfortable.

Some seniors don’t experience any personality changes. But personality changes like these are possible in any senior that has Alzheimer’s:

Increased Irritability or Anger

One of the most common personality changes that you might notice is that your mom becomes more irritable or quick to anger. She may get upset over things that never bothered her before. Simple things, like trying to find her phone or remembering how to turn on the TV, might lead to frustration.

This is because she may be aware that something isn’t right, and it’s frustrating for her. Her memory and thinking skills are declining, and this can make her feel lost or out of control, causing sudden bursts of anger. Put yourself in her shoes and imagine how frustrating it would be to experience those changes.

Anxiety or Fearfulness

Your mom may also start to feel more anxious or fearful. Alzheimer’s can make familiar places or people feel strange and confusing to her. This can cause fear.

She might not want to be left alone or might get nervous when doing something as simple as going to the grocery store. She may also become more anxious about her safety, worrying about things like whether the doors are locked or if someone is going to hurt her. This fear can lead to restlessness and make it hard for her to relax.

Alzheimer’s care at home can help with this anxiety because Alzheimer’s care at home is available around the clock. When you can’t be with your mom a caregiver can be so that she feels safe.

Paranoia or Suspicion

As Alzheimer’s gets worse, your mom may begin to believe things that aren’t true. She might start accusing people of stealing from her or think that someone is plotting against her. This is called paranoia.

For example, if she can’t find her purse, she may accuse you or someone else of taking it, even though it’s just misplaced.

Her brain can no longer make sense of certain situations, so she fills in the gaps with false beliefs. This can be hurtful, but it’s important to remember that it’s the disease, not her, causing these thoughts.

Loss of Interest in Hobbies or Socializing

Another common personality change is that your mom may lose interest in things she once loved. If she used to enjoy gardening, knitting, or watching her favorite TV shows, she might suddenly stop caring about them.

This change happens because Alzheimer’s affects her motivation and ability to enjoy activities. She may feel overwhelmed by things that once made her happy, or she may simply forget how to do them.

Becoming More Dependent

As Alzheimer’s progresses, your mom may become more dependent on others, even for simple things. She might start asking for help with tasks she used to do easily on her own, like cooking, cleaning, or paying bills.

This increased dependency can also affect her personality. She may become clingier, always wanting to be near someone because she feels unsure or unsafe on her own.

This can be hard for family members to handle, especially if your mom was once very independent and proud of doing things by herself. Alzheimer’s care at home can make caring for your mom at home easier for you and your siblings.

If you or an aging loved one is considering Alzheimer’s care in Clayton, CA, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Walnut Creek. (925) 203-3039.

5 Ways Seniors Can Improve Their Emotional Wellness At Home

Posted on by ltcep2023

October is National Emotional Wellness Month and now it a great time to find ways to help your senior parent improve their emotional wellness. Making sure that your senior mom or dad is emotionally healthy living at home is just as important as making sure that they are physically healthy.

Seniors who are living at home have a high risk for loneliness, depression, and anxiety because they don’t get as much social contact as they need. Visits and phone calls from family members go a long way toward helping seniors stay emotionally healthy, but it’s not always possible for family members to completely meet their senior parent’s emotional needs.

If you’re worried that your mom or dad may be lonely as they age at home try talking to them about some of these highly recommended ways for seniors to improve their emotional wellness at home:

Companion Care At Home

Companion care at home is a wonderful way to make sure that your mom or dad is getting the social engagement they need. When your senior parent has companion care at home they get regular visits from a companion who will spend time with them. A companion will share meals, conversation, and activities with your mom or dad.
A companion that visits your mom or dad on a set schedule may play games with them, do puzzles, watch movies, or help them learn more about hobbies that interest them.

Making Donation Items

Seniors sometimes struggle to find a sense of purpose, or a reason to get up each day. Making items to donate to charity can be a fantastic hobby for your mom or dad. Making things with their hands can relieve stress, improve happiness, and give them a sense of accomplishment.

There are hundreds of organizations that need handmade donation items like pet rescues and shelters which accept handmade blankets and crate pads, NICUs that always need warm and cozy hats, booties, and blankets for babies, and charities that collect cards, letters, and other items to send to other lonely seniors.

Taking Online Classes

Online classes are a way for seniors to stimulate their minds and explore subjects they were interested in but never had time to pursue. Your mom could have wanted to study fine art, but never had the time before. Or your dad may enjoy taking a class that is an in-depth look at his favorite historical time period.

There are many colleges and universities that now offer classes online for free, or have free video overviews of different topics.

Joining The Library

Even if your mom or dad can’t easily get out of the house they should join the local library. Since the pandemic many libraries have expanded their services and now offer digital books, video book clubs and discussion groups, and many other social opportunities that are perfect for seniors. And it’s all free.

Using Social Media

Using social media is also free, and it can be a fun way for seniors to reconnect with family and friends. Some seniors are even making their own social media content and making social connections with people of all different age groups.

Reference
https://nationaltoday.com/emotional-wellness-month/

If you or an aging loved one is considering companion care at home in San Ramon, CA, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Walnut Creek. (925) 203-3039.

Risk Factors for Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

Posted on by ltcep2023

When a blood clot occurs in one of the deep veins of the body, usually in the legs, it is called a deep vein thrombosis or DVT. A DVT can cause swelling and pain but sometimes occurs without any noticeable symptoms. While there isn’t usually any great risk of blood clots in the legs, the danger lies in the fact that it may break loose and head to another area of the body where it could cause serious issues and possibly even death. It can travel through the bloodstream and get lodged in the lungs, blocking blood flow and causing a pulmonary embolism.

Who is at Risk for Getting a DVT?

A DVT can happen to anyone at any time, but certain conditions and health issues may make having DVT more common. And because your loved one is elderly, his risk naturally increases each decade of his life after 60, compounding the risks listed below.

  • Being Overweight. Obesity increases the risk of developing DVT because of the increased pressure on the veins located within the legs and pelvis.
  • Being a Smoker. Those who smoke increase the risk of developing DVTs because of the damage to how the blood flows through the body due to smoking.
  • Having some cancers and/or going through some cancer treatments. If your loved one has cancer or is currently being treated for cancer, talk to his doctor if it will put him at greater risk for developing a DVT.
  • Having Heart Failure. Because the lungs and heart don’t work as strongly as they would in a healthy person, someone with heart failure may be more dangerously affected by even a small DVT that breaks off.
  • Not Moving for Long Periods. One of the most common triggers of DVT is the lack of movement. International flights where you sit for 8-10 hours at a time can increase this risk. The risk is also increased for anyone who is bed-ridden, or wheelchair-bound.

Home Care Assistance Can Help Seniors Reduce the Risk of DVTs

If you know your loved one is going to be bedridden or wheelchair-bound for a significant amount of time, having a home care assistance provider visit to help stimulate blood flow in the leg and assist with moving around can help reduce the risk of your loved one developing a DVT that could break off and lead to serious consequences. A home care assistance provider can help your loved one stretch out his legs or walk around if that is possible.

A home care assistance provider may also be able to help with lifestyle changes that will have positive impacts on your loved one’s overall health, including reducing his risk for a DVT. A home care assistance provider can help make healthy meals to keep his weight at a healthy level and support him with daily exercise to keep the legs moving and increase the caloric intake he needs each day, so he doesn’t put on more weight. A home care assistance provider can even help if your loved one is ready to quit smoking by providing support and accountability.

Finally, your loved one’s doctor may suggest he wear compression socks to help reduce his risk of developing a DVT. These can be difficult for some elderly people to put on properly: a home care assistance provider can help.

If you or an aging loved one is considering home care assistance in Clayton, CA, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Walnut Creek. (925) 203-3039.

Cleaning for Senior Safety: Seven Ways Home Care Helps

Posted on by ltcep2023

Keeping seniors’ homes both clean and safe is one of the biggest ways to help them age in place well. Family caregivers may need a little help staying on top of all of the various tasks that go into meeting that goal, however. Home care services can do a lot to ensure that seniors live in a clean, safe, and comfortable home.

Regular Cleaning and Disinfecting

As seniors age, it gets tougher to do even the most basic cleaning, much less sanitizing and disinfecting the house. Elder care providers can take care of a lot of these basic tasks, like dusting, vacuuming, mopping floors, and keeping surfaces clean and disinfected. This can have a direct impact on reducing issues like allergies and keeps germs in check.

Decluttering for Fall Prevention

Falls are one of the biggest health risks for seniors. Removing clutter goes a long way toward helping seniors to avoid a fall, but this is a big job. Home care providers can clear pathways, help seniors rearrange furniture, and removing unnecessary items. Afterward, senior care providers help aging adults keep clutter to a minimum.

Maintaining Clean Bathrooms

Bathrooms in particular have a lot of hazards in them, and they also need to be as clean as possible. Some of the ways to make the bathroom safer include installing grab bars, putting shower chairs in the tub, and making the toilet more accessible. Once the bathroom is safer, it’s crucial to keep it clean as well, and home care can help with that.

Keeping Up with Laundry

Laundry takes up a lot more time and energy than many people realize until it starts to get difficult. When seniors aren’t keeping up with laundry on their own, that can mean they’re unable to change into clean clothing. This leads to skin issues that can worsen and become bigger problems. It’s also important for seniors to have access to clean bedding and other linens, both for hygienic reasons and for comfort.

Performing Regular Safety Inspections

Home maintenance isn’t just about keeping a home looking good. It’s also about keeping the home safe to inhabit. For seniors, these tasks become more challenging and they might not even notice when a situation is becoming riskier for them. Home care providers notice potential safety hazards and ensure that family caregivers are aware of what’s going on.

Managing Hazardous Chemicals and Supplies

Medications, cleaning supplies, and other hazardous substances are a huge potential problem for aging adults. Some of these chemicals and supplies might even need to be locked away in order to keep seniors safe. Home care providers can help with this task, keeping seniors safer in their homes.

Paying Attention to Kitchen Cleanliness

When the kitchen is dirty or food is stored improperly, seniors are at a greater risk of accidents and illness. Home care providers help to keep the kitchen organized and clean. Home care assistance also helps seniors to eat healthy meals regularly, ensuring the food is stored properly and cooked to proper temperatures.

Senior safety is the key to successfully aging in place. Home care helps aging adults to have the support they need with the tasks that might be getting too difficult for them to handle alone, like cleaning and recognizing safety issues.

If you or an aging loved one is considering home care in Danville, CA, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Walnut Creek. (925) 203-3039.

Why Are Seniors Prone to Depression?

Posted on by ltcep2023

Seniors face a lot of different health issues, including depression. While it might seem that aging adults are more prone to depression, that’s not really true. They can very easily experience depression, however, especially if they spend too much time alone. There are other factors that can contribute, so it helps to understand what they are and what might help. One solution that works well is companion care at home.

Physical Health Problems

Physical issues, like health problems, are a common reason for seniors to become depressed. It’s understandable how that could cause distress for someone, especially when illness affects mobility and causes pain. Constantly struggling with health problems is not enjoyable and seniors may self-isolate. When companion caregivers stop by and spend time with them, that can help immensely.

Grief and Loss

Often seniors have experienced a lot of loss and grief throughout their lives. This can leave them feeling alone. Experiencing multiple losses makes it difficult for seniors to bounce back and cope with life’s demands. Spending time with other people can often help to alleviate some of those feelings.

Social Isolation

Seniors can become isolated for a lot of different reasons. They may gradually experience worsening mobility which keeps them home alone more or they may find that friends and family members move away or are increasingly busy with their own issues. For whatever reasons seniors are more isolated, what matters most is that they find a way to spend time with others. Companion care at home can do that for them.

Cognitive Changes

Seniors who are experiencing cognitive changes may need more hands-on help from home care providers. But they can also feel more isolated and experience depression because of the changes they’re experiencing in their lives. Routines that include time with companion caregivers can help seniors feel connected to the world around them again.

Medications

Sometimes the medications that seniors take to solve some of their health problems have side effects that aren’t very fun, like depression. If this is the case, seniors may want to talk to their doctors about what options might work better for them, if possible. Sometimes that isn’t possible, so it’s important for seniors to look for other ways to reduce depression, like spending time with other people and on self-care.

Changes in Living Situations

When seniors have to face changes in their living situations, especially ones they weren’t prepared to experience, that can lead to depression. Becoming more comfortable at home and having companion caregivers available to spend time with them can help quite a bit. Stability and a sense of security are easier to experience when seniors have something to look forward to.

If seniors are experiencing depression, it’s important for family caregivers to take the time to figure out what might be contributing to the depression. The solution might not always be as easy as bringing in companion care at home, but having someone to spend time with regularly is something that can be a positive solution regardless.

If you or an aging loved one is considering companion care at home in Clayton, CA, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Walnut Creek. (925) 203-3039.

What Are the Biggest Benefits of Home Care Assistance for Seniors?

Posted on by ltcep2023

One of the ways that families can get support caring for aging family members is through home care assistance. But what is this type of care and what are the benefits for families?

Individual Care Solutions

No senior has the exact same situation as any other senior. That means that when they have help from home care services, they have unique needs that don’t fit a cookie-cutter plan. Care services assess seniors’ needs and put an individual plan together to work for everyone involved.

Familiarity and Comfort

Part of why seniors opt to age in place is because they want to stay where they are comfortable and surrounded by familiarity. Home care assistance works to keep seniors as comfortable as possible, while also helping them to stay safe.

Improved Independence

Seniors want to maintain their independence, which can make some of them think twice about accepting help from elder care services and even family caregivers. The reality is that when seniors have help with daily activities, they’re empowered to do more of what they are able to do. They conserve energy and keep their independence.

Security and Safety

Safety is absolutely crucial for aging adults and part of why family caregivers are interested in home care assistance is to keep seniors safer. Caregivers spend time with seniors and learn how to help them be as safe as possible. They can also spot safety issues and warn families about them so they can make changes.

Social Engagement

Seniors who are aging in place still need to have social interaction. Unfortunately, though, they can find themselves becoming isolated very easily. Home care providers get to know seniors and engage them in conversation. They spend a lot of time with aging adults, helping them to feel less alone and isolated.

Flexibility and Convenience

Some seniors need a lot of help, but others need only a little. In some cases, seniors may want very specific help, but want to do most things on their own. Because home care assistance is so individually tailored, the help that seniors receive is flexible and solves the issues they’re facing.

Improved Quality of Life

When seniors know that they’re supported and when they are getting their needs met, their overall quality of life is going to be much better overall. This helps so much with mental and physical health, keeping seniors engaged in the world around them.

Improved Family Support

It’s tough to be a family caregiver. There are demands everywhere and family caregivers can feel pulled in too many different directions. If they’re not sure they’re helping in the right ways, they may feel uncomfortable, too. But home care providers help family caregivers understand more about their senior’s needs and get time away when they need it.

Home care assistance is there to help families and seniors to make the most of aging in place. Seniors’ needs change over time, and home care can adapt to keep up with those various needs as they become more complicated to manage alone.

If you or an aging loved one is considering home care assistance in Orinda, CA, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Walnut Creek. (925) 203-3039.