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How Does 24-Hour Home Care Work When Your Dad Lives With You?

24-Hour Home Care in Indianapolis IN
24-Hour Home Care in Indianapolis IN

One mistake family caregivers often make is thinking that they can’t have a caregiver help out when their parent lives with them. You’ll find 24-hour home care services are especially helpful when your dad lives with you. But, how does it work? Wouldn’t it infringe on your privacy?

What Is Your Living Arrangement?

When family members move a parent in with them, they usually convert an area of the home into an in-law apartment. This arrangement makes it possible for everyone to have some privacy while being under the same roof.

In this case, the caregivers providing 24-hour care will come and go without impacting your privacy. But, you might have your dad in a spare bedroom in your home. Will that impact privacy?

Remember that the caregivers are there to help your dad. They’re not there to get in your way or infringe on your privacy. You do need to give the caregivers room to work, however, and you can’t interfere. Let them do their job.

What Can 24-Hour Home Care Aides Help With?

What will 24-hour home care aides do for your dad? First, they are on duty throughout the day and night. If your dad has been waking you up in the middle of the night seeking a meal or snack, those days are over.

Have caregivers tend to his needs during the night. You get the right amount of sleep to properly function each day. You’ll be able to focus on your job, your children, and your personal life. You also can spend time with your dad when you want.

The 24-hour home care aides are not there to do your chores, however. You can’t ask them to do your laundry, dirty dishes, or cook your meals. The caregivers are not there to drive your children to school. Remember that they’re there to help your dad with personal care and companion care needs.

Avoid conflict by having a clear list of tasks your dad needs and what you and your children are responsible for. Note what you will do, such as be the one to drive him to his doctor’s appointments, and what the caregivers need to do. Don’t ask them to take on chores that are on your list unless it’s directly related to your dad’s care and they approve it.

Partner With 24-Hour Home Care Aides

Don’t let your dad’s care interfere with your job, your children’s needs, and your personal life. If you push your need to socialize, work, and take care of your family aside, you can impact relationships and your self-care needs.

With 24-hour home care aides, you’re able to support your dad when the time is right, but you’re not giving up the rest of your daily routine. Call a home care agency to learn more.

If you or an aging loved one is considering 24-hour home care in Indianapolis, IN, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care today. 317-550-1276

What You Need To Know About Seniors And Parkinson’s

Elder Care in Brownsburg IN
Elder Care in Brownsburg IN

April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month and it’s a great time to learn more about Parkinson’s disease and seniors. Parkinson’s disease affects more than a million people in the U.S. and there are more than 60,000 new cases of Parkinson’s disease diagnosed very year. There is no cure for Parkinson’s disease, but early detection can mean earlier treatment. And the earlier your senior loved one starts treatment the better the chances are that the progress of this disease can be delayed. Starting elder care as soon as possible following a diagnosis is one important step toward combatting the side effects of the disease. Some other things that you and your senior loved one should know about Parkinson’s are:

Symptoms

The most common symptom of Parkinson’s disease is tremors in the hands. But there are other symptoms that you and your senior loved one should look out for like: loss of balance, shuffling or problems walking, depression, anxiety, tremors in feet or fingers as well as hands, rigidity in muscles, headaches, and more. If you notice any of these symptoms in your senior loved one you should get them to a doctor to be checked for Parkinson’s disease. Even if your senior loved one isn’t displaying symptoms they should be checked at least once a year for any signs of developing this disease.

Is It Hereditary?

There is no definite hereditary link to Parkinson’s disease, but it does seem like it runs in families. If a close relative in your family had Parkinson’s disease it’s possible your senior loved one will have it. It’s also possible that you will get it, which makes regular screenings essential. If you’re worried about missing the symptoms of Parkinson’s in your senior loved one elder care at home can help. A trained caregiver can notice and document any symptoms of Parkinson’s that your senior loved one displays. That way you can track the progression of the symptoms and confer with their doctor about possible treatment.

Screenings

Parkinson’s screenings are recommended for seniors who are over 60. If there is a family history of Parkinson’s then you should really start getting screened yourself after the age of 50. Starting treatment early can delay the onset or the progression of symptoms. If your senior loved one hasn’t been to the doctor in awhile now is the time to make an appointment to have them seen and evaluated for any medical health conditions including Parkinson’s disease.

Aging At Home With Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease affects the brain. As the brain slowly atrophies because of the disease your senior loved one may lose their mobility, or start to experience dementia. While both of those may be challenging it doesn’t mean that your senior loved one must leave their familiar and beloved home. In fact, keeping your senior loved one in familiar surroundings can help them resist the symptoms even longer. With elder care that caters to the needs of those with Parkinson’s your senior loved one may live comfortably and safely at home for many years.

Sources:
https://www.parkinson.org/Understanding-Parkinsons/Statistics
https://parkinsonsdisease.net/elderly-population

If you or an aging loved one is considering elder care in Brownsburg, IN, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care today. 317-550-1276