How In-Home Caregivers Keep Your Loved Ones Happier
Posted on November 19, 2018 with 0 comments
According to Mental Health America,
about two million Americans65 or older live with depression. Although a person’s risk of depression increases as he or she ages, it is by no means a required part of the aging process.
Hiring an in-home caregiver can help to decrease the risk of your loved one falling into depression or debilitating sadness. Here are four ways professional caregivers can help promote the happiness and emotional wellbeing of your loved one:
Seniors Get to Live Independent Lives at Home
Many seniors fear that getting older means that they will have to move into a retirement home which for many can symbolize the loss of their independence. The very word ‘assisted’ can imply dependency and can be uncomfortable for some. Hiring a professional caregiver can be a more agreeable option since continuing to live at home gives your loved one a greater feeling of independence.
In-home care ensures that your loved one receives the level of care needed to stay safe. For example, in-home caregivers can make sure seniors
take their medications at the right time, and assist with other activities of daily living such as bathing, meal preparation and light house-keeping.
In-Home Caregivers Provide Companionship to Seniors
As human beings, companionship is a big part of our overall
happiness and well-being. Relationships become more difficult to maintain with age as declining mobility, health issues, and low energy levels make it increasingly difficult for seniors to travel to see friends and family.
Even if you want to spend as much time as possible with your loved one, life responsibilities can make it difficult to provide real companionship. Hiring an in-home caregiver adds a relationship to your loved one’s life. Over time, seniors and their caregivers often form special bonds. Eventually, hired caregivers can become a friend as well as a helping hand.
Caregivers can also keep your loved one mentally and physically engaged by playing games, reading and talking about a range of subjects.
The more support your loved one has, the more likely it is that he or she will stay happy.
Caregivers Can Prepare Nutritious Meals
Scheduled nutritious meals help to manage mood by managing blood sugar levels and providing the aging body and mind with the consistency it needs to maintain a healthy mood. By avoiding ingredients that contribute to conditions like heart disease and stroke, your professional caregiver can encourage a healthful lifestyle.
Since seniors show a greater risk of depression when they have chronic illnesses, the simple act of preparing a healthful meal can improve your loved one’s mood in multiple ways.
A Clean House Will Make Your Loved One Happier
Disorganization and depression are a vicious cycle. Living in a dirty, cluttered house can wear on a person’s mental health. Simply spending time in a cluttered environment can adversely affect your loved one’s happiness.
If you and your loved one can’t commit to
regular cleaning, then it makes sense for you to hire an in-home caregiver who can:
A fresh, clean house can make seniors feel more secure and confident. Living in a dirty home often means that they avoid having people over which can also have a negative impact on relationships.
With a clean home, though, your loved one can feel proud when people visit.
Get the Care Your Loved One Deserves
Life during retirement can give seniors more opportunities to enjoy activities. When illness or disability gets in the way, though, your loved one’s quality of life could decline.
Hiring caregivers means that seniors still get to enjoy the company of other people even if they find it difficult to leave their homes for long. As long as you choose a vetted professional, you can ensure that your senior stays happy as he or she gets older.
