According to the National Center for Assisted Living, about one million Americans reside in senior living situations. Furthermore, that number will double by 2030. Caregivers often stretch themselves thin trying to meet their family member's needs.
Myth 1: I Don't Need Senior Home Care Services Because I Have Family
According to the Department of Health and Human Services, vulnerable adults rely on unpaid help from family and community members. However, senior home care needs, caregiver work schedules, and childcare responsibilities often conflict, reducing available unpaid support.
Unpaid help cannot always meet vulnerable seniors' needs. Assisting loved ones with basic activities of daily living such as bathing, toileting, transferring, hygiene, and eating requires time and endurance. Add instrumental activities such as banking, bill-paying, transportation, meal preparation, cleaning, and home maintenance, and family members burn out rapidly.
Myth 2: Low Quality of Care
Supported senior home care does not compromise quality. Physicians or nursing staff evaluate recipients to determine their assistance needs. Individuals and families then decide to use an agency or hire a private care provider.
Agencies set standards of care including automated external defibrillator use, CPR, and first aid training. Moreover, agencies often require nursing or medical training, including medication supervision, wound prevention, ostomy care, insulin injections, diabetes care, and tube feeding. Their employees maintain the same licenses and certifications as some hospitals or nursing homes.
Myth 3: All Senior Home Care Is the Same
Seniors may only need assistance for a few hours a week, several hours a day, or around the clock which includes getting up, dressing, and having a prepared meal in the morning and reversing those activities in the evening.
Only seniors with medical conditions require skilled nursing care.
Myth 4: Senior Home Care Is Only for Illness
Some seniors only need companionship and minor assistance.
Having someone check in for a few hours daily or weekly prevents illness and injury.
If you're thinking of senior home care for your loved one, call us today and we will be more than happy to help you!
