Category: Personal home care

When faced with decisions about care for their elderly parents, siblings often argue amongst each other. In this blog, we discuss some of the most typical issues siblings fight about and advise on how to approach them better.

Disagreement about how much care is needed

Siblings, especially adult ones, don’t see eye to eye when it comes to caregiving. For instance, one child may think that their parents are doing completely fine at home, while another child might have the impression that they require extra help. This is more prevalent in a family whose members live geographically far away or spend varying amounts of their time with elderly loved ones.

Solution: Consult an expert

This issue can be easily and quickly resolved with an outsider’s opinion. You can arrange for a geriatric care manager that can come to your loved ones’ house for a safety assessment. Moreover, you should see your parent’s general physician and talk about their recent decline in health and growing physical difficulties.

Arguments between siblings about how much care is needed can be prevented if there is a clarification from a professional health care provider. This can also help in determining the next steps regarding your loved one’s health.

Solution: Do research on personal home care

Whence the care needs are agreed upon and established, the next move is to decide who is going to provide the care. A good choice could be a senior living community, and if you think so, then there are some senior living advisors you can consult. They have due experience in matching elderly needs and preferences with communities across the UK.

If it is decided upon that your parents or loved one will stay at home, then all siblings can pitch in and help ranging from regular visits and financial assistance. If anyone of you considers taking on caregiving full-time, read some blogs on the duties of a caregiver to better grasp the role and its requirements.

Heavy lifting is done by only one child

The child has the most intense emotional relationship with their ageing parents, or happens to live nearby will automatically assume the primary role of the caregiver. At times, the main caregiver can feel alone, overwhelmed, and depressed when other members of the family don’t offer to help.

Solution: Ask for help and communicate your needs

It may not be obvious to members of the family just how challenging the task of caregiving has become for you, if you keep them at a distance. Although your role as a chief caregiver becomes inevitable sometimes, due to certain family dynamics.

 

If you and the siblings have never had an intimate relationship with your parent or all your siblings live far away, they might be unable to provide real-life support. Find ways and suggest how they can help from afar. This can include things like scheduling appointments, taking care of finances, preparing meals, or just being there emotionally.

Exclusion from the decision-making process

Often, one kid hogs all the caregiving responsibilities and leaves others in the dark about their elderly parents. They may even limit access to the ageing loved one.

Solution: Consult with the authorities if need be, talk to your siblings and parents

Communicate to your siblings about your wish to get involved in caregiving via email, hand-written letters, or even a phone call, if possible. However, if you and the caregiving sibling are not on good terms then, try to maintain communication with your loved one through phone, letters, or emails.Nevertheless, if your sibling is acting as a barrier and preventing you from seeing your parents, and you believe that there may be involvement of abuse or exploitation, call the local police or adult protective services so they can intervene.

Siblings refuse to get involved

Siblings, sometimes, may not be able to understand what their parent needs or simply choose to ignore what they need. Other times, however, children can refuse to take care of an ageing parent, due in part to dysfunctional or negative relationships of the past or their current incapacity to do so.

Solution: Understand the difference in point of views and opinions

If you think that your siblings just might not be aware of the efforts you put in and have reason to believe so then try setting up video calls or small visits or get help from a doctor to better explain the gravity of the situation.It could be that your siblings are reluctant to help due to childhood trauma or their current situation, and they are allowed to do so. Look for ways to get them involved differently like see if they are willing to help with finances, or with emotional backup, even if they refuse to interact with elderly parents.Care at home services can help make this transition easier for you and your parents. You can trust their experienced caregivers to provide your loved ones with diligent care for their varying needs.

Sometimes when your loved ones, especially elders, are ill, they need care provided by a full-time caregiver. Home healthcare services specialise in the treatment of home-bound patients with physical or mental illnesses. The options that come within home health care services are limitless; however, based on the person’s medical condition, you could select the ones most appropriate for your loved one.

Here we listed some of the common personal care services for the elderly.

• Nursing care
  

  – this is the most common service offered by a personal home care In nursing care, a registered nurse is sent to the patient’s residence where they take responsibility for the patient’s medical needs. Their services range from applying wound dressing, administering intravenous therapy, giving medication, helping reduce pain, to monitoring the overall health of the patient.

• Physical, speech, and/or occupational therapy
  

  – some patients fail to remember how to use their limbs, as a result of a chronic illness or injury. This is where a physical therapist set up a plan for care. They work with the patient to help them regain their physical abilities to carry out routine activities such as eating, bathing, dressing, etc. Often, a speech therapist is a separate resource hired to work with the patient to restore their power of speech.

• Doctor care
  

  -to treat illnesses, a qualified doctor can visit a patient at their home. They may also assess the patient’s home health care needs, and make recommendations accordingly.

• Medical social service
  

  – medical social workers are different from general physicians. They are good with counselling, and hiring community resources to help patients, especially for personal care of the elderly.

• Home-focused health aides
  

  – home health carers work to help patients with their personal needs, including walking, sitting up, bathing, eating, and dressing.

• Additional care

  – while home care professionals are normally committed to taking care of personal needs, they may accede to additional work on the patient’s request. Additional duties may include preparing a meal, doing the laundry, going grocery shopping, paying bills, etc.

• Companionship
  

  – patients with social isolation disorder seek companionship more than any other treatment. They want a companion to spend time with them, comfort them, as well as supervise their care.

• Nutritional support
  

  – dietitians can visit the patient’s home to provide a dietary assessment and guide them into adopting a healthy and nutritious diet.

• Volunteer care
  

  – volunteers can make a personal home care plan a success. They can even support a patient’s health by providing companionship, transportation, emotional support, and/or helping them with administrative work.

• Laboratory and X-ray imaging
  

  – certain work require you to show up at clinic or hospital no matter how much you’ve been trying to avoid them. Luckily, home care services can help in terms of laboratory testing and x-ray imaging. Modern-day healthcare technicians can use portable X-ray machines, and visit the patient at their home, to get the necessary work done.

• Pharmaceutical services
  

  – if necessary, the medical equipment and medication can be delivered to a patient’s home. Additionally, pharmaceutical services can train the caregiver and/or the patient on how to use specific medical equipment.

• Meal delivery
  

  – ordering takeout is quite popular these days. A large number of home care facilities offer meal delivery service to patients with mental or physical disabilities. The frequency with which they deliver the meals depends on the patient’s needs.

Looking for home care services in Birmingham? Care4U is the right organisation to contact. At Care4U, we offer personal care for the elderly, disabled, or anyone above 18. Call us and let us know what type of home care you or your loved one require. Contact us at (0121) 356 5032 – we’ll be happy to be of service.

 

Personal caregivers are a godsend for families who live away from their senior loved ones. Personal home care providers provide regular updates to families about their well-being and the assurance that they are receiving the best possible care. Personal home care services deliver a range of support, along with the peace of mind. They are catered to suit the needs of each individual and family, thus ensuring that the seniors thrive in a place of safety and comfort. While hiring home care services in Birmingham, here are some of the things you can expect from them:

Personal care services

Personal care involves a lot of aspects, such as:

• Bathing and personal hygiene: helping seniors maintain hygiene is crucial for their confidence and a happier state of mind. It requires sensitivity as it can be embarrassing, but the key is to keep things natural and encourage self-help to give a sense of independence while saving their dignity.
• Mobility assistance: elders, need help with walking and are often prone to falling due to diminished nervous coordination or weak eyesight.
  Feeding and special diet preparation: personal home care ensures that elders get the proper nutrition to keep up their health and keep a check on medical conditions, which could be affected by a lack of appropriate diet.

Companionship and care services

• Conversation and companionship: personal care isn’t just about the physical aspects but includes emotional well being as a principal component. Socialisation keeps the spirit up and ensures a high standard of living.
• Light housekeeping: the living environment is kept clean so that the seniors can live in comfort without having to worry about tripping on clutter or a loose carpet. Housekeeping is part and package of the home care services in Birmingham so that your loved ones feel safe, and you can rest assured that they are being treated exceptionally.
• Shopping and errands: this involves grocery shopping, picking up prescriptions, and more. Elders need help with chores, but it should be done with their input and taken along if they so wish.
• Medication: a lot of medicine is taken at this stage of life, and with weakened memories, it is hard to remember the intricate schedule of timing. It is the responsibility of the personal carer to remind them and assist in every way possible.
• Laundry: washing, drying, and ironing are an essential part of the upkeep of seniors’ healthy environment.
• Updating the family: communicating regularly with the family members to provide them with necessary information about the seniors in their care and restructure things if needed.
• Safety: monitors closely and reacts immediately in case of a safety issue. A seemingly simple fall could endanger the self-esteem of elders, along with proving fatal. Safe de-cluttered surroundings are the key to ensure no accidents happen.
• Transport: personal home care is on top of all appointments to the doctors or the barber.
• Respite care: depending on the type of service you require; they can also offer a family member relief so they can run necessary errands or take a much-needed rest.
• Provide a chance to be independent: a senior is capable of making decisions for themselves, and their opinions should always be respected. Personal carers should be aware of health needs and personal preferences. The emotional well-being of a senior depends on autonomy, and that can only be achieved by giving them control over their lives by supporting them in ways they want.

Home care services in Birmingham provide the above and so much more. They understand the importance of providing efficient and high-quality services, which leave no room for complaints. They are responsible for people who are at a stage where they need to live life as frequently as possible without feeling helpless or out of control. Personal care requires compassion and sensitivity as it is not without its challenges. Patience is a virtue that will come in handy while providing personal home care for an elder.

Raising the standards of living and elevating the human spirit are the ideas behind providing home care. Families can rest in peace, knowing that their loved ones are in the best of hands without having to worry about honing every detail as they have hired experts who can adapt effortlessly.

There are a lot of things to consider when it comes to providing the best care to your loved ones. Especially if you have to provide care to a senior member in your home facing health issues, circumstances can turn out to be very tough for you.  Elderlies dealing with health issues like Alzheimer’s, Dementia, Arthritis, etc., need constant assistance and support to cope up with their routine activities. In such circumstances, your concerns about being confident that your loved one receives the best care and support are downright legit. However, your hectic schedule is not letting you provide your loved ones with the attention they deserve. There are times when the demands and pressure of providing care can result in a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion, rendering you in complete distress. If you feel yourself to be in the situation mentioned above, there is nothing to be concerned about. Facilitating your elderly with personal home care services is certainly the best way out.

Why Personal Care for the Elderly is important

You need to understand that moving your elderlies off their home to a daycare facility can leave them into complete distress. Shifting them to a nursing center is always not the solution, especially if they do not require consistent medical and clinical observation. Your elderlies have spent their entire lives in a place they admire, bounded by the people they love. If you suddenly decide to move them to an unfamiliar place, surrounded by the people they do not know, it can severely impact their well-being. This is where the sheer importance of personal home care service comes into play. Not only does it allows them to stay at the comfort of their home but it also provides you a peace of mind that your elderly is assisted by a professional that you can rely on. Getting your elderlies home care services from a preeminent home care agency like Care4U, you can expect to have the following benefits.

Number 1. Caregivers help in maintaining a Quality Lifestyle.

Your home is the most comfortable environment for your senior family members to dwell in. The primary advantage of hiring a professional caregiver is that your love can get the best care while staying at their own home. Being cared for in a familiar environment significantly add to the well-being of your elderly’s health and mental state. Personal home care services enhance the lifestyle of your family elderly person. They can use their own bathroom, sleep on their own bed, and continue with their daily routine task. Caregivers are well-trained to monitor every action of the person into consideration. They aim to uplift the quality of lifestyle of their patients, maintaining their mental health, physical health, and safety, helping them to live a better lifestyle.

Number 2. Personalized Care – A path towards a better lifestyle.

Personal home care services are planned primarily to focus on the needs of your elderlies, providing them one-on-one attention, catering to their daily routine activities. Having an in-house health care professional allows your elderly to enjoy the perks of personal care while staying at the place they loved the most. By having the assistance of a personal caregiver always by their side, your elderlies get a chance to socialize better. They have someone to talk with – a conversation helping them to look on the brighter side of life. The companionship of a professional caretaker helps in building up a relationship of understanding, helping your elderly to live a more confident and optimistic lifestyle. If you are concerned about providing the best care to your elderly, let the experts at Care4U facilitate your elderly with the best Home care services in Birmingham. Personal caregivers At Care4U are well trained in providing the necessary support and assistance to their clients, ensuring that their client’s dignity and personal space is not compromised.

Number 3. Improves Overall Health  

Contrary to living in a nursing facility, personal home care service is also planned to provide medical assistance to your elderly. You need to understand that the chances of recovery of your elderly are often mitigated by the stress and burden of leaving home. Being under the supervision of a professional caregiver, your elderlies can significantly recover at a much quicker rate. The fact that they are being catered at their own home results favorably in improving their mental health conditions.  Therefore, personal in-home care service is the best option to go with.