When a senior needs extra assistance with their care, because of memory loss, an age-related illness or mobility issues, it becomes necessary to evaluate the best way to provide for the care needs.
The senior care industry refers to these basic care needs as "Activities of Daily Living". This includes assisting with walking, bathing, toileting and meals. Nursing Aides and Home Health Aides (each state sets requirements for certification for nursing assistants) are trained to properly provide for senior care needs. Certification classes usually take 4 to 8 weeks (depending on if it is a part-time or full-time program). Nursing facilities and hospitals are usually required to have a minimum level of certified nursing assistants on staff based on the number of residents and patients. Senior Home Care Agencies may staff companion caregivers, as well as nursing aides, depending on the care needs of the senior.
It is important to consider the toll caregiving will take on a spouse or relative. The physical work required can be substantial and when this is combined with the need to interact with a loved one as a caregiver, the relative can quickly become exhausted and sometimes even depressed. This is because they are most likely missing out on many of their own daily activities which they now no longer have the time to enjoy.
Many families have told me that hiring a professional caregiver was the best decision they ever made. The cost is really minimal when you consider that it will allow relatives to spend quality time with their loved one. Many times the health of a spouse who is performing the duties of caregiving will also decline significantly. Caregiving is not easy work. However, it is a little easier when the person performing the care is not a relative or friend and is able to come to work refreshed and leave to go back to their own life.
Caregiverlist does provide quality standards for Senior Home Care Agencies who provide information on their rates and services for our users and you can learn more about the benefits of hiring a senior home care agency from our home page.
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