Most of us take everyday activities and tasks for granted. Meeting basic needs like shopping, cooking, cleaning, and personal hygiene are something we don’t give much thought to- until it becomes a big challenge for ourselves or someone we love.
Adults with disabilities, people with chronic (long term) health conditions, or older adults with challenges due to aging, may all struggle with their own care. If you only consider people who are 65 and older, the US Census Bureau reports this group is growing at a rapid pace.1 This is especially true as baby boomers age. And it means the number of older adults that may have personal care challenges is growing, too. Odds are, you are an older adult yourself or love someone who is.
If you or your loved one are struggling with daily care activities, you may have heard about home care and are asking yourself the question “Why would I need home care services?” .
To answer this question, it’s helpful to first understand what home care is- and what it isn’t.
What is home care?
Home care is non-medical care for people who need help with daily activities. This includes:
● Bathing & dressing
● Light housekeeping
● Bathroom assistance
● Transportation
● Meal prep
● Help with safe ambulation (walking)
Home care is NOT:
● Home health care (medical services in the home)
● Medication administration
● Nursing care
● Wound care
● Rehabilitation services (such as physical therapy)
● Any other services that treat a health condition
Impacts of disability, health issues, and aging
Disability, illness, injury, and age can all impact our bodies and quality of life. A person might have less strength and endurance, or may suffer from stiff joints and poor balance. Memory and/or the ability to think clearly can be impaired, and vision and hearing can worsen.
The things most of us do easily, like buttoning a shirt or lifting a foot to tie a shoe, might be really hard to do, or even impossible. Standing for a long time, for example while cooking a meal, may be too much to manage. Bending and lifting to clean one’s own home may be painful and tiring. Driving isn’t safe. Bathing and even using the bathroom can be dangerous if balance issues and trouble walking are a concern. In fact, in people who are age 65 or older, falls are the leading cause of injury or death.2
If a person facing these problems is lucky enough to live with family that can help them with daily activities, there still may be times when they are alone. Their families often find themselves scrambling to fill gaps in care while juggling other responsibilities. Aging spouses may have care needs themselves, or struggle to keep up with caring for their loved one.
All of this is sometimes made even harder by the fact that 28% of older adults live alone.3 And in the aging population, 1 in 6 are childless.4
So where does home care fit in?
With all of the above examples, home care can ease the struggle. This valuable service provides much more than just basic help with daily needs and tasks. It also makes quality of life better in many ways. Being able to stay in your own home when you have limitations has many benefits.
These include enjoying the familiarity and comfort of a person’s own home and belongings, instead of having the disruption of moving into a facility. For many older adults, staying in their own homes- known as “aging in place”- is an important goal.5 And keeping routines and surroundings the same especially helps people with memory issues.6
Receiving care at home also means a person is close to the conveniences and community that they may have been a part of for years. They can have visits with their friends more easily, and maybe even attend the same church they always have.
Activities such as shopping and personal care- like a trip to the hair salon- can be done at the businesses they know and are comfortable with.
It’s also worth considering that the risk of contagious diseases could be lower at home than in a care facility.7 This has especially been highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
A home caregiver can help with all of the above activities, while providing companionship and safety for the people receiving their care. All of this helps preserve as much independence and dignity as possible in spite of any limitations.
Better Living With Home Care
So, to review, home care can help you or your loved one if:
● You need help with daily activities like shopping, cooking, bathing and getting around
● You want to reduce risk of falls, injury, and illness
● You want to stay in your own home
● You need respite care
For all these reasons, home care offers a chance to live the best life possible, with extra helping hands and companionship to meet your everyday needs.
References
1. https://www.census.gov/library/publications/2018/acs/acs-38.html 2. https://www.cdc.gov/injury/features/older-adult-falls/index.html 3. https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/geriatrics/social-issues-in-older-adults/older-adults-living-alone 4. https://www.census.gov/library/publications/2021/demo/p70-173.html 5. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/aging-place-growing-older-home 6. https://alzheimersproject.org/the-importance-of-routine-and-familiarity-to-persons-with-dementia/ 7. https://academic.oup.com/cid/article/36/7/870/318878 Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash
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