AARP recently updated its survey to find out how many older adults plan to live in their own homes as they get older. The results showed that more than 77% of older adults plan to age at home. Aging in place has proven benefits for seniors like lowering the risk of some common diseases.

However, seniors may find tasks that are necessary for keeping up the home challenging as their abilities change. When seniors start to experience physical or cognitive decline taking care the cleaning, meals, errands, and shopping can be too much for them. In-home care for seniors helps seniors with whatever tasks they’re struggling with.

In-home care for seniors can also help seniors prevent falls. Falling is the number one cause of hospital visits among seniors who are aging in place. Every year more than 15 million seniors fall at home. Not all falls are serious. But the falls that are serious can cause permanent injuries for seniors. Or seniors may need months of rehab to fully recover.

There’s no way to prevent all falls at home. But with in-home care the risk of a senior falling is much lower. That’s because a care provider can help seniors with things like:

Laundry

Doing laundry is difficult for seniors who struggle to carry heavy loads. Even breaking up the laundry into smaller baskets doesn’t solve the problem. And if seniors have to carry laundry down into the basement or upstairs that can be too much for them physically. It’s not always possible to move the laundry to the main floor or to the second floor. Getting in-home care for seniors is a better solution to lowering the risk of a senior parent falling while doing laundry.

Taking Care Of Pets

Pets bring joy and companionship to seniors. However, the physical care of pets can become tough for seniors as they get older. Dogs need to get walked daily. Cats need to have their litter boxes cleaned. All animals need food and fresh water. Having help taking care of their pets allows seniors to enjoy the love and companionship pets bring without the physical challenges of caring for those pets.

Doing Dishes

The repetitive motions of cleaning and drying dishes or bending over a dishwasher to load and unload it can be difficult for seniors. Seniors also run the risk of falling on a wet floor near the sink. But with help from senior care seniors won’t have to worry about hurting themselves in the kitchen.

Cooking Meals

Cooking meals can be dangerous for seniors who may not be able to safely bend over a stove or grip cooking utensils. Seniors who struggle with preparing meals may just not eat. That’s why seniors can benefit from at-home care. With a caregiver in the house that can prepare food and cook meals it’s much more likely that seniors will be able to enjoy healthy meals. They also will have a lower risk of hurting themselves at home.

Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/falls/facts.html
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/aging-place-growing-older-home
https://www.aarp.org/home-family/your-home/info-2021/home-and-community-preferences-survey.html

The staff at Home Care Matters is available to talk with you and your family about all of your needs. Home Care Matters is a home care agency providing quality and affordable in-home care in Sugar Hill, GA, and the surrounding areas. Call (770) 965-4004 for more information.

We provide elder care in Braselton, Buford, Dacula, Duluth, Flowery Branch, Gainesville, Johns Creek, Lawrenceville, Oakwood, Sugar Hill, Suwanee, Barrow County, Forsyth County, Gwinnett County, Hall County, Jackson County, North Fulton County.

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Valerie Darling

Founder, Owner at Home Care Matters

Valerie was born in Miami, FL and after a few family moves, grew up locally in the Marietta, GA area.Valerie is the oldest of 4 (3 younger brothers).She is married and has one child.Valerie is the Founder, Owner and CEO of Home Care Matters.Valerie’s mom, Dee, is the inspiration and primary driver as the how and why the business was born.Valerie says, “My mom is never far from our thoughts.Mom was an integral part of developing and starting HCM before she passed away.Our goal is to stay true to her memory and continue to honor her with the love, values, and ethics she taught us.”

Valerie has the unique experience with home care as she has experienced it from both ends of the spectrum, as a caregiver and as needing care herself as a cancer survivor. Valerie says, “Taking care of someone you love is a physically, mentally and demanding labor of love.Taking care of my mom was the hardest thing I have ever done. It has given me an insight and perspective not many people understand unless you are doing it or have done it.I loved taking care of my mom.I love helping others take care of their love ones too.And now that I’ve been sick, it’s given me a whole new level of empathy and understanding for those who are sick and need help.”

Valerie’s schedule varies daily, but she loves visiting with our clients, families, caregivers, our network partners and being in the office.Says Valerie, “Every day is different, but I wake up excited about what we do, inspired by our team, clients and caregivers.I strive to be a resource to the community.I love my team and I love what we do every day. I like to think my mom would be proud.”

You can reach Valerie by email (Valerie@homecarematters.com) or in our office (770.965.4004).

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