Understanding the Need for Home Care Services

Home care services provide an array of benefits, from help with daily activities like meal preparation and personal care to more specialized care. These services allow your loved ones to remain in the comfort of their homes, surrounded by familiar environments and family, while still receiving the support they need. It can promote independence, enhance well-being and provide peace of mind for family members knowing that loved ones are receiving the necessary care.

The need for home care services can arise due to several reasons:

Aging

As your loved one ages, daily tasks can become more challenging. Whether it’s due to declining mobility, cognitive impairments or chronic health conditions, seniors may find it increasingly difficult to take care of themselves independently. Professional home care can provide the necessary assistance to protect their safety and wellbeing without compromising their independence.

Health conditions

Certain health conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, stroke or recovering from surgery can necessitate additional support at home. Home care professionals are trained to assist individuals with these conditions, ensuring they receive the appropriate care tailored to their unique needs.

Disability

Adults living with physical or intellectual disabilities may require assistance with daily tasks or specialized medical care. Professional home care services can provide this support, enhancing their quality of life, providing comfort, and ensuring safety.

Preparing for the Conversation

Discussing the need for home care services with a loved one can be a complex and emotional process. Therefore, careful planning for the conversation is crucial. Choosing an appropriate time and place for the discussion can go a long way in ensuring that the conversation is productive and comfortable for everyone involved.

The timing of the discussion is important. Be proactive and approach difficult topics carefully. It’s a significant conversation, and you don’t want to rush through it. The environment should be comfortable and familiar to your loved one to help them feel at ease. Privacy is also crucial to them so they can express their feelings and concerns openly.

Use “I” Statements

If you focus the conversation on yourself, it takes the pressure off of your loved one. Such as, “I’m doing this because I love you.” Give specific examples of why you feel your family member may need assistance. Make sure to validate your loved one’s feelings.

Teamwork

Consider having other family members or even a third party like a mediator to guide the conversation. It can be helpful to use an indirect approach and share examples about a friend’s parent who recently moved to assisted living or hired a caregiver and loved it.

Setting the Right Tone

Here are a few tips to help you maintain a loving and respectful tone:

Active Listening

Ensure that you are fully present during the conversation and that your loved one feels heard. Show your understanding through non-verbal cues, such as nodding and maintaining eye contact and verbal affirmations.

Open-Ended Questions

Ask open-ended questions to encourage dialogue and to understand your loved one’s perspective better. This could be questions like “How do you feel about receiving additional help at home?” or “What are your main concerns about home care services?” These questions demonstrate your interest in their feelings and thoughts.

Express Empathy

Acknowledge their emotions and validate their feelings. Phrases like “I understand that this might be difficult for you” or “It’s okay to have concerns about this change” can help your loved one feel more at ease and understood.

Offer Reassurance

Remind your loved one that the primary goal of considering home care services is their well-being and comfort. Reassure them that their dignity, preferences and independence will always be respected.

Be Patient

It’s important to remember that this is a significant change, and your loved one may need time to process the information. Don’t rush the conversation and be open to having multiple discussions if needed.

Show Unconditional Support

Let your loved one know that you’re there for them, regardless of the decisions made about their care. Remind them that you’re on their side and that their comfort and happiness are your priority.

Addressing Concerns and Resistance

When discussing home care services, loved ones may have several concerns or objections. Here are some common ones, along with empathetic responses that highlight the benefits of FirstLight Home Care services:

Loss of Independence

It’s important to reassure your loved one that home care services aim to enhance their independence, not diminish it. Services like those provided by FirstLight are designed to help them manage daily tasks more easily, allowing them to continue living independently at home.

Invasion of Privacy

The idea of having a caregiver in their home may feel intrusive to your loved one. You can address this by emphasizing the experience, compassion and respectfulness of FirstLight’s professional caregivers.

Feeling Vulnerable

Your loved one might be apprehensive about having a stranger care for them. It’s important to emphasize the rigorous selection process FirstLight uses when hiring caregivers, ensuring that they are not only qualified but also trustworthy and compassionate. FirstLight also takes care to match caregivers and clients based on personalities and interests, fostering a trusting relationship.

Financial Considerations

Talking about money with family can be uncomfortable, but it’s an important conversation to be had. There are many ways to figure out how to cover costs. AARP has a long-term care calculator, which helps compute the costs of long-term care by estimating costs of nursing homes, assisted living facilities and at-home caregivers in your area. There are long-term care insurance programs and agencies that can also be of service. If your loved one is a long distance away, having a caregiver can save money in the long run by not having to travel as often to visit for emergencies.

FirstLight Home Care – Senior Home Care Services

FirstLight Home Care Services go beyond basic physical care by also providing emotional support and companionship, which are vital components for overall well-being. We understand that every individual’s needs are different, and we tailor our services accordingly. By focusing on whole-person care, we can enhance the quality of life for your loved one, offering care, comfort and independence in the familiarity of their own home.

What is Long-Term Care?

Long-term care helps patients “live as independently and safely as possible when they can no longer perform everyday activities on their own,” according to the National Institute on Aging. Typically, long-term in-home care is provided by unpaid family and friends. This type of care can be anything from light housekeeping, meal preparation and transportation to bathing, grooming and eating assistance. HealthCare.gov states that Medicare and other health insurance plans do not provide long-term care insurance because most long-term care isn’t considered medical care. The U.S. Office of Personnel Management provides long-term care insurance under the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP).

Why Is Long-Term Care Important?

 For many seniors who wish to remain in their own homes for as long as possible—known as “aging in place”—long-term care is essential for ensuring their safety and comfort. For example, if your loved one has difficulty getting up from a chair without assistance or relies on help with basic grooming tasks like bathing and brushing teeth, they could greatly benefit from having someone come into the home to provide such services on a regular basis. This type of personalized attention helps seniors maintain their independence while also providing peace of mind to family members who may not be able to visit as often as they would like.

Who Needs Long-Term Care

There are many reasons why someone may need caregivers. LongTermCare.gov says that “about 60% of adults will need assistance with things like getting dressed, driving to appointments, or making meals.”

Age

The older a person gets, the more likely they are to need help.

Gender

Women live longer than men, so they have a greater chance of needing care.

Relationship status

People who are single are more likely than married people to need help from friends, family or a hired professional.

Lifestyle

Unhealthy habits, lack of exercise and poor diet can cause someone to need help sooner.

Health

People with a family history of certain health conditions may have an increased need for long-term care.

FirstLight Home Care’s Long-Term Care Services

FirstLight Home Care provides long-term care services to those who need it. Whether or not your loved one has long-term care insurance, we are here to help.

We provide care for those needing extra support with basic activities of daily living (ADLs), such as:

• Bathing
• Dressing
• Toileting
• Transferring (getting in and out of bed or chair)
• Eating
• Continence

We also provide services for instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), including:

• Cooking
• Cleaning
• Transportation
• Laundry
• Managing Finances

FirstLight Home Care – Long-Term In-Home Care

At FirstLight Home Care, we offer both short-term and long-term solutions tailored specifically to each senior’s unique needs and preferences. Our compassionate caregivers provide everything from respite care and companionship to personal care services—all within the comfort and security of your loved one’s home. If you think your loved one could benefit from our long-term care solutions, please don’t hesitate to reach out today! Our team is always here to help answer any questions you might have about our services or how we can best support your family’s needs going forward.

8 p.m. EST Nov. 30, 2022

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Millions of adults across the country have found themselves in the position of taking on a caregiver role for a family member. The caregiving journey can be demanding and complex, and it often comes with many questions.

This live webinar features author, entrepreneur and TV personality Matt Paxton as our host and moderator. 

Our FirstLight panel of experts include:

Molly Johnson – Silicon Valley, CA and TriValley, CA

Jacqueline O’Quinn – North St. Louis, MO

Lisa Price – Columbia, SC and North Columbia, SC

Michael Senchak – Treasure Coast, FL, Vero Beach, FL and The Valley OH

Matt and our panel will discuss how to know when it’s time to ask for caregiving help and some of the most common questions people have when they consider bringing in a caregiver.

Sign up here.

Earlier this month, Representatives Charlie Crist (D-FL) and Tom Suozzi (D-NY) introduced the Home Modification and Accessibility Act, which creates financial incentives for homeowners to proactively make accessibility upgrades to their homes. The bill would help older adults afford home modifications, allowing them to live safely and comfortably in their own homes as they age.

AARP reports that around 90 percent of people ages 65 and older would prefer to age in their homes rather than move to an assisted living community or nursing home. When compared, aging at home is cheaper and more cost-effective than living in a nursing home.

The Home Modification and Accessibility Act empowers Americans to make decisions about where and how they live by offsetting the costs associated with making home modifications through a penalty-free early retirement withdrawal and lifetime tax deduction of up to $30,000.

By offering financial incentives through this legislation, people can plan ahead, upgrade their homes and better prepare to age in place. Accessibility upgrades in the home can also help reduce falls, injuries and other health problems, which can potentially reduce medical expenses.

Learn more about how to support home modification incentives and contact your congressperson.

Read More

Home Modifications to Support Aging in Place

Senior Living Alternatives

Keep These in Mind While Researching Care for Your Parents

Get In-Home Support

FirstLight Home Care can give you the support you need to provide the best care for your loved one. Request a personalized price quote from your local FirstLight Home Care team.

We’re Hiring!

If you have a heart for service and you make it your mission to help someone have their best day, consider a caregiver career with FirstLight Home Care. Find open positions with one of our local offices.

Older adults often need greater levels of care during a hospital stay, and this translates into greater care requirements after a discharge as well. It’s important that family caregivers fully understand what’s needed as soon as possible, which can better equip them to organize the care necessary to keep their loved ones safe and help them heal.

Understanding Hospital Discharge Care

Depending on your loved one’s needs, you may decide on a short-term residential care community, or make other decisions based on their care needs. Whatever you choose, make sure that the caregiving responsibilities are within the scope you or the professional caregivers can provide. Missed medication and accidents can lead to hospital readmission, which may make it more difficult to return home each time.

Loved ones may also require additional equipment, like oxygen tanks or wheelchairs. Knowing about these in advance can give you and your family time to prepare the home by making sure it’s a comfortable, safe place to rest and recuperate.

Finally, coordinate elements of post-discharge care, including observation, wound-dressing or other tasks with other family members, as well as professional caregivers.

Preparation is Key

Without a plan, caring for a loved one after a hospital discharge can be incredibly difficult. Not only are the care requirements amplified, but caregivers may worry about anything that can go wrong: impaired mobility leading to a fall, drug interactions causing serious health complications, even the possibility of their loved one’s health failing to improve. All of these are valid concerns, but there are ways to find peace of mind.

Preparing for a discharge should begin as soon as your loved one is admitted to the hospital so that you and your family can arrange everything your loved one needs before they’re cleared to return home. This can prevent frantic searching for professional care or prevent the mistakes that may come from heightened anxiety and stress.

Knowing the specifics of your loved one’s post-discharge care, working with the doctors and nursing staff to get a clear picture of their health, and knowing your options are all ways to ease the stress and anxiety of caring for a recently hospitalized family member.

By being ready and organized, you can be sure that your loved one receives the best care possible from you and the rest of their care team. Even better, they’ll feel well-taken care of if they see you’re in control of the situation. Overall, everyone involved can breathe a little easier when the trickier aspects of care are given consideration in advance.

Finding a Care Solution

It’s important for family caregivers to recognize that hospitalization can frequently lead to a comprehensive care plan that lasts well beyond the hospital discharge or change the way they must approach care going forward. This can be a scary and difficult time for family caregivers. But preparedness can provide stability and security to the caregiver and help them feel more confident in their own abilities and the health of their loved one.

When a family member requires more care, it may be appropriate to consider a long-term solution, such as professional in-home care services. If you find yourself struggling to maintain a balance between full-time caregiving and your other responsibilities, in-home care can provide the post-discharge attention your loved ones need when you’re at work, or otherwise dealing with the necessities of life.

Above all, caregivers can make sure their loved ones receive the best care possible by being present when they can and being prepared to make the right care choices after a hospital discharge.

Get In-Home Support

FirstLight Home Care can give you the support you need to provide the best care for your loved one. Request a personalized price quote from your local FirstLight Home Care team.

We’re Hiring!

If you have a heart for service and you make it your mission to help someone have their best day, consider a caregiver career with FirstLight Home Care. Find open positions with one of our local offices.

In fact, your loved one may see the place they call home in a completely different way than you do. Fortunately, researchers have dug deep into what makes homes safe and more livable for those living with dementia.

How do People with Dementia See the World?

For people living with dementia, visual stimuli aren’t received in the same way as they are in neurotypical brains. For instance, logic tells us that a mirror is just a reflective glass, and the reflection in the mirror is just a reflection of us. But dementia can scramble that logic, telling an aging adult with the disease that the person in the mirror is a stranger. This can be a stressful and scary experience.

Shadows and other dark surfaces on the floor can appear as holes. If you notice your loved one avoiding rugs or dark spots on the floor, this may be why. Crowded and cluttered spaces can be similarly disorienting, as these can contribute to the visual noise that makes a room difficult to understand.

Because memory works differently in adults living with dementia, changes in decor or misplaced furniture can make them feel like they’re somewhere else entirely. When creating spaces or adapting the home to help our loved one’s age in place, it’s important to base design decisions on how they see and experience the world.

Creating Comfortable Spaces for Adults with Dementia

When family caregivers begin creating spaces for their seniors to age in place, they should consider reducing clutter and removing confusing items. Furniture should be sparse and uncluttered too. Overall, these spaces should create a sense of calm and not provide excessive stimuli.

• Walls, floors, and décor items should be light, calming colors. This can help reduce shadows and dark spots.
• Avoid using loud, bright colors, busy patterns or lots of decoration.
• Spaces should be well-lit, and the lighting should be arranged to reduce dark areas. This helps to avoid trips and falls and minimize shadow hallucinations.
• Glass windows and staircases should be clearly marked to avoid injury.

Making Sure the Home is Safe

For adults with dementia, homes can be filled with dangerous things. Locks on bedrooms and bathrooms can be hazardous, faucets and tubs can cause scalds, and liquid on hard flooring can lead to broken bones and other serious injuries. To address these issues, install grab bars, large non-slip mats and temperature controls in the bathroom, and consider replacing doorknobs with non-locking ones so they can be opened in the event of a fall or other emergency.

Hazards can extend outside the home as well. Wet leaves, roots, branches and steppingstones can be dangerous and should be cleared or removed. It’s also a good idea to make sure the outside of the home is well-lit to avoid shadows and dark shapes at night.

Finally, consider adding web-connected door and window alarms, as well as cameras, around the home. Adults with dementia may attempt to find places from their past and can easily get lost once they leave their homes. These devices can alert you if they wander off.

Keeping Loved Ones Safe Requires Patience and Persistence

Helping those with dementia age in place requires ongoing care, frequent check-ins and a watchful eye, but it’s not impossible. In addition to making spaces safer and more comfortable for them, there are a few other things you can do to keep them from becoming ill or sustaining an injury.

• Check the pantry and fridge for expired or spoiled food
• Keep things like pet food and car keys out of sight
• Keep the home clean and clear of objects that may be disorienting
• Check faucets, electrical devices and cooking equipment to make sure they haven’t been left on.

If these tasks become too stressful, a professional home care service can provide extra support and peace of mind.

Although we regularly recognize our FirstLight caregivers, we make a special point of doing so on this special day.

Dedicated home care, home health and hospice professionals selflessly care for others each and every day. They go above and beyond to help families and their loved ones live better lives by providing vital companion care and personal care services. The support they provide enables families to focus on their loved ones and it provides peace of mind.

Caregivers will continue to make a big difference in the lives of others. There are simple ways we can honor them.

• Say “thank you” to a caregiver you know.
• Show your appreciation with a small gift or a note of gratitude.
• Simply share words of encouragement and support for all they do.

Author Leo Buscaglia said:

“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.”

And isn’t that just what caregivers do?

FirstLight is Hiring!

If caring is your calling and you’re interested in a rewarding career with FirstLight Home Care, find open positions with one of our local offices.

Get In-Home Support

Whether you need elderly companion care services, 24-hour home care, or in-home caregiver services for a loved one who is recovering from surgery, FirstLight Home Care can help. We give you the support you need to provide the best care for your loved one. Request a personalized price quote from your local FirstLight Home Care team.

Perhaps their home isn’t as clean as it used to be. Or they have expired food in the fridge or pantry. Maybe their personal hygiene has gone by the wayside. Or they have some new dents and scratches on their car.

We’ve collected a few of our most-read blog posts that we think are helpful for family caregivers who are considering hiring a professional caregiver for their aging parent.

Know when to consider home care

Many adult children wonder when it’s time to consider home care for a loved one. If you find yourself stopping over more often to check on your aging parents or asking a friend or neighbor to stop by, it might be the time to look at in-home care options.

Learn some of the most common signs it might be time for home care.

In-home care can provide vital support

Maybe your parent needs short-term assistance. Temporary in-home care can help individuals who are recovering from illness, injury or surgery, as well as after a hospital stay. This short-term care can last anywhere from several weeks to a few months, and it is typically provided in someone’s home. This care can provide a long-term boost to what your loved one needs most – comfort, confidence and peace of mind.

Learn how temporary home care can support your family.

Find the best possible caregiver

Doing the proper research to ensure your parents are taken care of as they age – physically, emotionally and financially – will help give you peace of mind in the future. While researching care for your parents, take time to look for a caregiver who is patient, compassionate, detail-oriented, and present. You’ll be able to rest easy knowing that the person you love the most is being taken care of by someone who has their best interest and wellbeing at the forefront.

If you are a family caregiver, keep these in mind while researching home care for your parents.

Get In-Home Support

Whether you need elderly companion care services, 24-hour home care, or in-home caregiver services for a loved one who is recovering from surgery, FirstLight Home Care can help. We give you the support you need to provide the best care for your loved one. Request a personalized price quote from your local FirstLight Home Care team.

We’re Hiring!

If caring is your calling and you’re interested in a career with FirstLight Home Care, find open positions with one of our local offices.

Whether you are moving your elderly parents into a new home, a senior living community, or having them live with you, the entire process can be overwhelming. This is especially true for their adult children, as any of the major decisions will fall on them. Of course, everyone involved in a loved one’s care wants to ensure the transition goes smoothly!

There are countless things to consider before moving elderly parents for senior home care. But it all starts with having the conversation. And the timing of that talk is critical.

So, before you jump in, think about how you will handle that discussion. Remember to be sensitive to your parent’s feelings. They can have a lot of anxiety about any kind of change, and relocating for caregiving services is a big deal!

Do your research, especially if you are moving parents to a senior living community. You want to make sure the new place they call home meets as many of their needs as possible from the get-go.

Create a plan (and a Plan B) and make sure your loved one and any family members are all on board. This will make any move easier and reduce the number of surprises along the way.

Read More

FirstLight is grateful for the chance to contribute this article on Relocating Your Parents to Caregiver Solutions, which is where the piece was originally published. You can read more here.

Get In-Home Support

We can help ease your concerns by giving you the support you need to provide the best companion care for your loved one. We’ll work with you to create a caregiving partnership that’s built on trust, communication and a special understanding of your family’s needs. Find a FirstLight Home Care near you.

We’re Hiring!

If caring is your calling and you’re interested in a caregiver job with FirstLight Home Care, visit our Careers page to find open positions with one of our local offices.

This short-term care can last anywhere from several weeks to a few months, and it is typically provided in someone’s home. This care may include unskilled or skilled care for the elderly, veterans or people with disabilities.

Unskilled or non-medical home care assists people with activities of daily living as well as basic tasks around the home, such as these companion care services:

• Regular visits, conversations and company
• Medication reminders
• Light housekeeping
• Grocery shopping
• Meal preparation
• Laundry services
• Shopping, running errands and transportation

It can also include family respite care, which gives family caregivers a temporary break from their caregiving responsibilities. Primary caregivers often need extra support taking care of a loved one so that they can not only tend to their own personal needs, such as errands and appointments but so that they can also take time for themselves and practice self-care.

Sometimes personal care services are needed as well. This type of care can assist with everyday activities such as bathing, mobility and personal hygiene.

Skilled care is a little different in that it is typically ordered by a doctor, and it refers to skilled nursing or rehabilitation services that are provided by licensed health professionals like nurses and physical therapists. This care can include:

• Medication management
• Wound care
• Monitoring vital signs
• Catheter and ostomy care
• Providing physical therapy

Temporary in-home care can provide vital support during what can be a challenging and stressful time for individuals and their family caregivers. And while the support of a professional caregiver during this time may be temporary, the impact can be more enduring.

Home care can provide a long-term boost to what your loved one needs most – comfort, confidence and peace of mind. The great thing about services from FirstLight is that we can customize a care plan to fit the needs of your family.

Contact Us

If you need short-term assistance to navigate an illness, injury, recovery, transition or any other life event, find a location today to learn more.

Find Your Calling

If you are interested in a career with FirstLight Home Care, visit our Careers page to find open positions with one of our local offices.

Learn More

Read more about the differences between short-term and long-term home care from AgingCare.com.