If your senior parent needs some extra support at home so that they can continue living independently, it’s important to get them the right kind of support. There are different types of home care, and choosing the right one for your senior parent will make a big difference in their quality of life.

There’s no one size fits all when it comes to home care. Your senior may need one type of home care now, but another kind in the future if their health changes or if they have a medical event like a fall or a heart attack. Knowing what types of home care are available can help you and your senior parent make a more informed decision about what kind of support your senior parent needs.

Some of the different types of home care that are available to help seniors who are living independently are:

Home Care

Home care is non-medical help for seniors who want to stay at home but need some extra support. A caregiver visits the senior’s home and helps with things like cleaning, cooking, shopping, and running errands. They may also remind your senior parent to take their medicine. Home care is great for seniors who don’t need medical help but want help with daily chores.

Personal Care

Personal care helps seniors with basic tasks that involve their bodies. This includes bathing, getting dressed, brushing their teeth, using the bathroom, and moving around the house. A trained caregiver helps with these private tasks in a respectful way. Personal care is helpful for seniors who have trouble moving or taking care of themselves due to age or illness.

Skilled Nursing

Skilled nursing is medical care provided at home by a licensed nurse. These nurses can check vital signs, give shots or IVs, treat wounds, and help manage serious health problems like diabetes or heart disease. Skilled nursing is ordered by a doctor and is often used after a hospital stay or surgery. It helps seniors recover at home instead of going to a nursing facility.

24-Hour Home Care

24-hour home care means a caregiver is always there, day and night. 24-hour home care is great for seniors who need constant help or who don’t want to be alone at night. Caregivers may assist with personal care, meal prep, taking medications, or just being there in case of an emergency. This kind of care gives families peace of mind knowing their loved one is safe all the time and it can make your senior parent less anxious, especially at night.

Companion Care

Companion care is focused on social interaction and friendship. A companion visits to talk, play games, go on walks, or just keep the senior company. They may also do light chores or drive the senior to appointments. This kind of care is good for seniors who live alone and feel lonely or bored. Having someone to talk to and spend time with can improve their mood and mental health.

If you or an aging loved one are considering home care in Short Hills, NJ, please contact the caring staff at Adult Alternative Home Care today. (888) 664-1769

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Lorraine Arkaifie, MSN, AGPCNP-BC

Founder & Director of Services at Adult Alternative Home Care

After completing nursing school in 2009, she worked as a Registered Nurse with the elderly in nursing homes, hospitals and in their homes. She went on to complete advance nurse training with a focus in Geriatrics. As she gained more clinical experience, she was encouraged to pursue her dreams of establishing a home care organization that will provide excellent services to members of her community. With over ten years clinical knowledge, she has perfected the skills to establish rapport and support of the frail and elderly we serve. She loves what she does and will love to help you or your loved ones get the care and support they need.

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