How a Care Agency Can Help Your Elderly Parents

Care agencies provide care for those who need it so that seniors can stay at home. For those with busy lives and a family of their own, it can be difficult providing for elderly parents and there is no need to feel guilty about asking for help. If your elderly parents are struggling with everyday tasks such as making meals, it may be time to enlist the help of a care agency who can visit as little or as often as needed. Care agencies are very flexible and are a great way to provide additional support, so you can take a step back and relax.

They Can Provide Meals

For many elderly people, making meals can become increasingly difficult and some conditions such as dementia can make it almost impossible. Unfortunately, as we get older, simple tasks can become very strenuous and this can lead to many older people becoming malnourished. There is no need to go into a care home just because you are struggling to make meals; a care agency can come in and provide help and ensure that your parents are eating regularly. This can help them to have a regular routine and eating three good meals a day is essential, especially as you get older. You can purchase ready-made meals or make extra at your own meal times and freeze some for your parents. If cooking is becoming too strenuous a task or your elderly parents are skipping meals or forgetting they haven’t eaten, a care agency can provide support with meal times. For those with dementia, it may be best to remove the option of a cooker, as often they can forget that they have started to cook something, and it may be that they cause damage to their home or themselves.

They Can Assist with Housework

Sometimes simple things such as vacuuming and washing clothes can prove too much for those who are older. If you have a full-time job, it can be difficult getting around enough to ensure that things are washed and clean at all times. Care agencies can provide support with the house too, such as cleaning dishes after meal times and assisting with washing and drying clothes. This can be a huge help to those who cannot do it themselves and can make all the difference. That being said, care agencies will not do a full deep clean of the house, although they will help out when needed. If your parent’s home needs a thorough cleaning, it may be best to hire a cleaner.

They Can Help with Medication

Many older people are on a variety of medications and it can be difficult to keep up with them all. If your elderly parents are suffering from any form of mental health problem, it may be that looking after their own medication is not an option. If you do not have time to go in each day and make certain that they have taken the right medications, a care agency can provide staff to do so. This is an essential part of care work and although it doesn’t seem like much, for those who cannot take their own medication due to forgetfulness, it gives them the choice to live at home and be supported. Missing medication for some conditions could be disastrous, especially if your elderly parents have mental health problems. It also prevents your parents from an accidental overdose due to not remembering they had already taken their medication earlier in the day.

They Provide General Support

Care agencies provide support for many different reasons, including housework, medication purposes, and meals. They can also help your elderly parents to get up in the mornings and go to bed at night. A lot of parents do not want their child to wash and clean them, so hiring a care agency means that they can have this support without any embarrassment on your part. Although they did the exact same for you, many parents prefer a professional to come in and assist them, rather than have you do it. If one of your parents is struggling more than the other, it may be that one of your parents has become a caregiver to the other. As they are both older, this could cause extra strain on the parent that is managing well and could cause further problems. It can be a difficult task assisting someone to wash and dress, so allowing a care agency to come in and help is the best option all round. If your parents do not get out much, this also provides them with additional emotional and social support, allowing them to have someone to talk to and a friendly face visiting them each day.

It Ensures They Can Stay at Home

The most important way that care agencies help elderly parents is by providing the freedom for them to stay at home. Many people do not want to leave the house they have so many memories in, so assisted living or a care home is not an option. If you are struggling to provide enough care for your elderly parents, a care agency can bridge that gap and allow them to live happily and safely in their own home. This can also give you peace of mind that they are being looked after when you aren’t there. If you want to learn more about what care agencies can do for you and your parents, follow the link.

Care agencies provide emotional and physical support for elderly parents. It is important to find a care agency with good staff, as they will be coming into your parents’ home each day. A reputable care agency will have warm and welcoming staff and provide holistic and person-centered care to your parents. If you need some support when caring for your parents, speak to a care agency to see what they can offer you. Care plans and visiting times can be scheduled around you, so your parent can get the support they need to live at home safely.