Signs That You Need To Hire A Caregiver For Everyday Support

There’s a misconception that older people should only hire caregivers when they are already bedridden and can’t complete their everyday routines at all. However, professional caregivers are valuable additions to your household for providing assistance whether physical, mental, or emotional support.

Hiring a caregiver is ideal if your children live far away from you. A caregiver can assist you with driving and housekeeping. At the same time, a caregiver can also provide companionship and help keep loneliness at bay.

Getting access to a caregiver is more convenient and straightforward now with search engines and social media. Companies such as Tandem Careplanning enable you to search for caregivers in your area and connect you to available caregivers through their websites.

You can choose if you want a male or a female companion, you can ask about rates and abilities such as driving, massage, etc. You can also ask for a specific type, part-time or full-time, live-in or scheduled visits.

If you’re still in doubt on whether you need a caregiver, you can talk to a professional care provider about indicators such as issues with vision or mobility, memory, driving, appointments, schedules, hygiene, and emotional issues such as loneliness.

1. You Have Vision or Mobility Problems

One of the primary reasons to hire a caregiver is when you find that your eyesight or balance is failing you. If you’ve ever experienced falling on the stairs or stumbling on something on the floor, you need someone to guide you as you do your everyday tasks.

Don’t take it the wrong way. It’s better to accept that your body is aging. You have to protect yourself from external factors that may harm you, which may mean getting extra support from a professional.

A caregiver can help ensure that your home is safe from tripping hazards and other unexpected obstacles. Plus, as mentioned, they can provide driving services when you need to run errands so that you won’t have to carry your groceries or other purchases alone.

2. You Forget to Drink Your Meds

A lot of seniors have prescription medications that, for maximum efficiency, should be consumed on a specific schedule each day. If you frequently forget your medication, you must hire a caregiver to prepare the tablets that you need to drink and remind you when to take them.

Drinking your meds is more than just a bothersome chore that you have to face daily. You need these drugs and supplements to keep your body healthy and functioning properly, which is why you must make sure that you take them at the prescribed times and doses.

3. You Neglect Personal Hygiene

When you’re retired, it’s easy to fall into the trap of not bathing and brushing your teeth and hair every day since you won’t be going to the office anymore. However, personal hygiene is less about other people and more about keeping your body clean.

For a lot of older people, showering has become challenging, particularly with the loss of full mobility coupled with aching joints. A caregiver is equipped with the knowledge and skills to help you accomplish tasks with ease, comfort, and security.

Oral health is another crucial aspect of personal hygiene that you should consider. If you have dentures, you must take extra care in brushing them. Your teeth and gums may also be extra sensitive as you age, so use a brush with soft bristles and toothpaste to alleviate sensitivity.

4. You Miss Out On Appointments

As you grow older, most of your social events may revolve around doctor’s appointments, which are essential meetings to check on your health. Similar to reminding you to drink your meds, a caregiver can help you plot your schedule and even drive you to the clinic so that you can have your check-up.

They can also take note of what the doctor says and the medications that are prescribed. These professionals can also help you buy your meds and organize them according to the days and dosages when you need to drink them.

5. You Feel Lonely or Neglected

Even if you have all your physical faculties, you’ll still benefit from hiring a caregiver for companionship. They can be someone whom you can talk to about your family, health, or anything under the sun.

You don’t even need to hire them full-time and in-house. You can choose the type of care you want. For instance, you can have a caregiver visit you during the day to help you with your activities, and they can go home at night to their families if that’s what you want. With this, you can feel the anticipation of having a friend visit the next day.

Takeaways

Caregivers can provide additional support to older people, whether it’s physical, emotional, or mental assistance. If you have noticed your vision or mobility failing you, or you often forget to attend to your routines or appointments, or when you need a driver or companion, think about hiring a professional caregiver to help you with your daily activities.