As your loved one grows older, it’s a good idea to assess his or her home for potential safety hazards. Consider visiting a caregiver agency near Memphis to discuss your loved one’s elderly care needs. A home health aide can help you make your loved one’s home safer by pointing out areas that need better lighting or by recommending modifications to the bathroom. For instance, placing red and blue buttons on the hot and cold water faucets can prevent scalding injuries. The caregiver may also recommend making sure the bathroom lock can be disengaged from other side, just in case your loved one experiences an emergency and needs help.

Watch this video for more helpful tips on elder care and home safety. It reminds family members of the importance of keeping smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in good working condition and of keeping a fire extinguisher in the kitchen.

Elderly care providers serving Memphis are often called upon to ensure an aging parent’s safety in addition to providing elderly care services like housekeeping. A caregiver that focuses on elderly care should be able to make sure your loved one is taking his or her medications properly, giving families peace of mind when they are away at work or on vacation.

To ensure proper medication management and timely reminders, make sure to tell your caregiver agency exactly what medications your parent is taking. You should know why it is being taken, who prescribed it, the exact dose, and how often it must be administered. You should also inform a senior care services provider about any potential side effects. For example, if your parent feels sleepy or nauseous after taking a certain medication, a caregiver can help him or her to bed to lie down. You may also want to come up with a system to make sure medications are being taken as directed. Some caretakers create daily checklists that are marked off when each dose is taken.

Do you have elderly parents who could benefit from long term home care in Memphis? As you consider your options for in home elder care, make sure to select an experienced caregiver who puts your loved one immediately at ease.

First, consult with your parent’s physicians to discuss in home care options. Next, do some research online. Look for Better Business Bureau accredited elder care providers. You should also ask any caregiver to provide references from satisfied families who have used her in home care services. You might also want to consider visiting a support group to hear about others’ experiences with home care agencies. Home health agencies screen, train, and supervise their staff, so you are matched with an experienced and reliable care provider.

As your elderly loved one ages, he may develop mobility problems, illnesses, or signs of dementia that require in-home elderly care in Memphis . In-home care from a home health aide can ensure that your loved one doesn’t suffer from injury, falls, or other dangerous accidents that can result from dementia symptoms or mobility problems. Senior assisted living services and dementia home care also provide your loved one with companionship, preventing them from becoming lonely or depressed.

Watch this video to learn more about how an in-home caregiver can keep your elderly loved one safe. Assisted living caregivers have years of training and experience caring for elderly people who need physical and medical assistance.

Although many people enter hospice care each year, it continues to remain somewhat of a mystery for the individuals and family members who utilize this service. Hospice care is a wonderful and compassionate option for people who have been diagnosed with a terminal disease or injury. If you and your family have questions and are wondering what hospice care in Memphis is all about, read on to learn some answers to common questions about hospice services.

When It Is Time to Choose Hospice Care?
Anytime a person is in the beginning stages of needing end-of-life care, a discussion about hospice is appropriate. If one is diagnosed with a terminal illness or injury, it is best to discuss the option of hospice when the person who has been diagnosed can make a decision clearly. Legally, the decision for hospice care is to be made by the patient.

When Does a Patient Begin to Receive Hospice Care?
It can be difficult for some individuals and families to know when the right time for hospice care is. Most hospices will take on a new patient, who is referred by their physician, with a life expectancy of six months or less.

Should You Wait for a Physician to Mention Hospice Care?
A physician may not bring up hospice care at a time that feels necessary for you and your family to discuss it. Feel free to bring the idea of hospice up to your physician to get his or her opinion. It is also a good idea to run it by other caregivers, clergy members, as well as family and friends who have received the service before.

What if the Patient Starts to Recover After Choosing Hospice?
In the case that a patient starts to show signs of recovery after choosing hospice, they are welcome to return to regular treatment. If a patient goes into remission or begins to heal, the patient is able to go back to a treatment that is recommended to them. Choosing a hospice that feels comfortable for you and your family will ensure that you will be cared for properly while end-of-life care is needed, as well as in the case of recovery.

Caring for a loved one at the end of their days is one of the most precious gifts you can give. Choosing where and how this care is given can be a difficult choice to make, but fortunately there are options. In the past, staying at home was the norm. However, today more people spend their end-of-life at a nursing home or hospital. When you find the option that best suits your needs, your loved one will get the elder care near Memphis that they deserve . Read on to learn about comfort and care at the end of your loved one’s life.

Nursing Homes and Hospitals
Due to the many pressures of the outside world, caring for your loved one can be hard to fit into your daily life. For this reason, many people are choosing to let their loved ones spend their final days in a nursing home or hospital. This is a great option for individuals who have severe physical ailments, such as heart failure. However, this choice may not be ideal for those who are wishing to make sure their loved ones receive the one-on-one special care that they so deserve. Also, this option removes your loved one from their home, which can be a hard transition in itself.

Home Health Care
Home health care is another option for your loved one. It offers the luxury of allowing your loved one to spend their days in a familiar setting, while allowing you to feel safe that they are receiving the special care and attention they deserve. Home care can be exhausting for family members and many people have busy lives they also need to tend to. Hiring an at-home care professional is a wonderful way to ensure that comfort and safety are a priority for the person in need of end-of-life care. It also allows you and your family to maintain the self-care needed as your loved one needs more personalized attention. Working with a specialized in-home care company in Memphis is a great way to provide your loved one with respectful and comfortable end-of-life care.

The recovery from a serious illness, injury, or surgery doesn’t necessarily end when a patient is discharged from the hospital or long-term care facility. Discharged patients often require extensive assistance at home and it can be difficult for family members to meet their needs. This is why families might consider making arrangements for in-home care near Memphis. In-home care providers can help individuals with personal needs, such as bathing, dressing, and toileting. They can facilitate the patient’s recovery by providing mobility assistance and helping him or her follow a nutritious diet. Elder care providers can even drive individuals to and from medical appointments to ensure they receive the proper follow-up care they need to recover.

With the care provided by an in-home caregiver, individuals may be less likely to require another hospitalization. For example, when a senior is discharged from the hospital after sustaining a hip fracture, he or she may be more likely to fall again if no one is available at home to assist with daily tasks. In-home caregivers can provide reassurance for family members that their loved one is safe.

When individuals require care due to age, disability, illness, or other reasons, families often struggle to provide the assistance they need. This is a common reason for transfers into a long-term care facility such as a nursing home. However, there is an alternative that offers advantages for the whole family. A provider of long-term care serving Memphis can assist families by caring for their loved ones without the need for institutionalization. Since in-home care providers are professionals in their field, families can rest assured that their loved ones are in good hands.

Independence
One significant benefit of elder care or hospice care within the home is that the individual maintains his or her freedom and independence. At a nursing home or other facility, the residents often do not have a choice regarding whether or not they have a roommate, and whether they can choose when and what to eat. They may be obliged to follow the institution’s schedule for activities and other events, regardless of personal choice. By arranging for in-home care, families can preserve their loved one’s independence, privacy, and dignity.

Safety
Safety at home is often a major concern for families, particularly as a loved one grows older. With the assistance of a home care provider, individuals have a greatly reduced risk of suffering an accident and injury when bathing, dressing, or transferring from a bed to a wheelchair. Since a home care provider can prepare the individual’s meals, there is a lessened risk of an accident in the kitchen, such as a fall or a house fire.

Wellness
Research suggests that individuals who recover from illnesses at home and seniors who age in place may enjoy better overall health than those who are institutionalized. With the constant threat of infections, hospitals aren’t always healthy settings for recovery. Additionally, seniors who are placed in nursing homes may not necessarily receive close attention from overworked facility workers, which means that health problems may go undetected. Emotional health is another important consideration. An in-home caregiver provides companionship for individuals who may have trouble getting out of the home.

When your senior loved one needs assistance taking care of him or herself, home health care in Memphis could be the best solution. At-home care offers many benefits to seniors and their families, whether your loved one needs very basic home care services or something more complex, like dementia or hospice care. Why should you consider at-home care for your senior loved one? Here is a look at some of the benefits.

Familiar Surroundings
Leaving home can be a difficult experience for seniors. Many studies have indicated that seniors do better when they receive care at home. They don’t have to adjust to new surroundings, and being in familiar environments can be emotionally comforting. For patients with Alzheimer’s, staying at home can be particularly helpful during the early stages of the disease. Whatever level of care your loved one needs, in-home care aides can help provide it.

Personal Freedom
When your loved one moves to a care facility, he or she will inevitably lose personal freedom. There will be set meal times, times for specific activities, and restrictions on visitors. This can cause distress for seniors as well as their families. With home health care, your loved one will be able to maintain the right level of independence while still getting the support he or she needs.

Financial Savings
Whenever a loved one needs care, there is always a financial aspect to consider. Although most people assume otherwise, it can actually be more cost-effective to use at-home care rather than moving a loved one to a nursing home or assisted living facility. One of the biggest financial benefits of home health care is that you can structure it specifically to your loved one’s needs. You will only have to pay for a caregiver when your loved one needs it instead of paying for care around the clock, as you would at a care facility. This option also allows family members to take on some of the care responsibilities, which helps to lower costs.

When a loved one is discharged from a hospital or other healthcare facility, it may seem as though the difficult part of recovery is behind him or her. This is often not the case, however. In fact, about two out of every 10 hospitalizations is a re-admittance after a prior discharge due to an improper transition back to the home environment. By carefully planning your loved one’s transition with the help of an agency for in-home care near Memphis , you can greatly facilitate his or her recovery. Seeking help from an in-home care agency can provide a safer environment in the home, and also ease the burden on family caregivers.

Planning Ahead
Planning ahead for your loved one’s care at home is critical. You can consult your loved one’s healthcare team to determine the type of support he or she may need. Many families underestimate the amount of care a loved one will need and overestimate their ability to provide it. Consider visiting an in-home care agency to arrange home care for your loved one. These services are available on a short-term and long-term basis.

Modifying the Home Environment
Walk through your loved one’s home before he or she is discharged. After consulting with his or her healthcare/discharge team, you may determine that some modifications are necessary to ensure safety. For example, you may need to install grab bars/shower chair in the bathtub. If your loved one cannot yet manage stairs and the bedroom is on an upper level, you can rent a hospital bed to place downstairs. You may also need to have assistive devices and healthcare supplies in the home for your loved one, such as a walker, disposable gloves, and bedside potty.

Following Discharge Instructions
Once your loved one is discharged, a home health aide can assist with tasks such as meal preparation, housekeeping, ambulation, bathing, dressing, and toileting. After the family caregiver has filled all necessary prescriptions, a schedule can be arranged with your in-home care agency for medicine reminders. The family caregiver along with the discharge planner can determine and arrange necessary services at home, such as home health care, physical therapy or occupational therapy.