Non-Medical Home Care: What are the Benefits for My Senior?

Non-medical home care is a wonderful solution for many families. Each family has their own unique set of circumstances, and therefore, needs a unique set of solutions. Non-medical home care is versatile and can be obtained based on your needs. Whether that means occasionally for respite, monthly, weekly, or daily, your personal schedule of needs can be met. Best of all, it can be met with compassionate care that will make your beloved senior and all the family happier.

What is non-medical home care?

  There are many essential activities that we do every day. Unfortunately, there comes a time when some seniors have difficulty performing these activities without a bit of help. That’s when non-medical caregiving can relieve your worry about whether or not your senior is safe and comfortable. Non-medical home care does not include the administration of medications or any other medical care that should be administered by a skilled medical professional. They will, however, remind your loved one to take their medication. They will also report any new or worsening medical conditions they observe while caring for your senior. Here are some of the activities of daily living (ADL) that a non-medical caregiver can help your loved one to do:

• Personal grooming
• Food preparation
• Help with eating/feeding
• Helping with mobility issues
• Medication reminders
• Bathing
• Light housekeeping
• Laundry
• Washing dishes
• Shopping and running errands
• Basic mobility issues
• Transportation
• Dressing

Companionship is another great benefit of non-medical care. Everyone needs companionship because it provides emotional support and keeps us mentally active. Having someone to talk to helps prevent social isolation, depression, and anxiety.

Your senior loved one has decades of wisdom, experiences, and stories to share, but only if there is someone available to listen. At Amy’s Eden, our caregivers love to listen.

When should we get non-medical care for my loved one?

Non-medical home care is designed to help and support seniors, families of seniors, and family members who are also caregivers themselves. If your senior wants to age in place but needs help with some activities of daily living or to combat isolation, then consider hiring a non-medical caregiver. If you are taking care of a family member but can’t devote as much time or attention to them as you would like, then perhaps a non-medical caregiver can help you. If your loved one’s needs are increasing, or if you’re just worried about them, then a non-medical caregiver will give you the peace of mind you need. Here are a few signs to look for when trying to decide if you need extra help with your senior:

1. Your loved one forgets to take their medication
2. There are some chores that aren’t getting done
3. Your senior can no longer drive safely
4. Simple activities are increasingly difficult for you loved one to complete
5. Your loved one is homebound and lonely
6. Personal hygiene is becoming an issue
7. There are noticeable changes in speech, memory, or mood
8. Your senior seems to be losing weight

There is no need to feel guilty about hiring someone to help take care of your elderly loved one. Calling for assistance is an act of love.

Who can provide non-medical home care?

Often non-medical care for seniors falls to the family. This can feel safe for your loved one until the time when their needs outpace your ability to care for them. Private health care agencies can help fill the gap when the time comes. Although there are many well-meaning friends and family members who may want to help your aging senior, you may find that their dependability or availability becomes difficult to work around. Non-medical senior care services have professional caregivers whose sole focus will be to take care of your loved one’s daily needs. Non-medical home care providers include:

• Family members
• Friends
• Non-medical home healthcare agencies
• Assisted homes with live-in caregivers

Why should I consider non-medical care for my special senior?

Non-medical care for your loved one is an effective way to ensure that all of their needs are met. Most seniors today plan to age in place and they want to stay as independent as they can for as long as they can. A non-medical caregiver can help your senior maintain their independence for longer. That means it will help you to continue working or allow you the freedom to take a much needed vacation if you are the primary caregiver. Consider these reasons for hiring a non-medical caregiver:

1. They can be there when you need them
2. Non-medical caregivers can provide much needed companionship
3. They can help remind your loved one to take their medications
4. Knowing someone is with your loved one gives you peace of mind
5. Having someone else helping care for your loved one keeps you from getting burned out
6. They are trained to take care of a variety of needs
7. Good caregivers are observant and will communicate with you anything they notice out of the ordinary
8. Your loved one will be much happier aging at home
9. Physical safety, someone will be with your senior in case of a medical emergency
10. They will ensure that your senior eats healthy meals

Where can I find help?

At Amy’s Eden, we have personal care assistants who are licensed, bonded, and trained to compassionately care for your beloved senior. Our caregivers are people who believe in providing the best service to your family member. They enjoy what they do and know that out of all the careers they could have, this one is fulfilling on many levels. Please contact us to learn more about what we have to offer. We want your loved one to live a quality life during their golden years. If we can assist you with your in-home caregiving needs, then call or email us today. There are many free online resources available to help you search for and locate a care agency in your specific area. If you are in the Reno or Carson City, Nevada area, then Amy’s Eden is here to help and answer your questions. Whether you need a non-medical caregiver for a short period of time or for long-term care, we can assist you.