Social contact has been proven to enhance the health, happiness and quality of life for seniors and is an important part of elder care. Caregivers are available to engage patients in conversation and keep them company. Simply sharing a meal together can be an enjoyable, comforting experience.
For a variety of reasons many seniors do not eat well-balanced meals. Caregivers prepare meals to help seniors get the proper nutrition to enjoy a healthier life. For our patients who still love to cook caregivers assist them as needed.
In addition to doing dishes and cleaning the kitchen caregivers perform other light housekeeping tasks like dusting, vacuuming, sweeping and mopping floors, taking out the trash, cleaning bathrooms, straightening rooms and bedrooms including organizing closets and drawers.
Caregivers can do laundry including washing, drying, ironing, folding and putting clothes in drawers. Laundry can be done at the patient's home or at a Laundromat.
Although caregivers can shop while the patient remains at home, they encourage patients to help with shopping as it's an excellent way to stay active and engaged. Caregivers shop at stores the patient chooses using any coupons provided.
Getting seniors out of the house is good therapy for the mind, body and spirit and is a small but important part of senior care. Caregivers will take patients wherever they want including beauty salons, barbershops, the post office, drugstores and to medical appointments.
In general, caregivers are in a unique position to observe their patients and report their status, along with any problems, to family members and their physician. This not only helps the patient but provides peace of mind for concerned family members.
Certified nursing assistants and home health aides can remind seniors when to take their prescribed medications. They may also help open their medication container and read the labels; however, they are not a licensed professional to administer medications.
Although caregiving can be a rewarding experience it is also quite demanding. A break every so often can be beneficial for the family caregiver and the patient. Whitsyms can refer caregivers for just a few hours each week providing some relief for the family caregiver.
Our state of the art "Caregiver" scheduling system ensures that patients receive the full time home care they need. Home care services can be tailored to meet the specific needs of the patient. This 24 hour care is ideal for patients with Alzheimer's disease or other dementia related conditions who may be at risk when left alone.