PROFESSIONAL IN-HOME CARE
Some in-home care agencies or caregivers are able to perform these tasks, but they may require special licensing, the involvement of a nurse and be more expensive. Below we describe the most common nonmedical in-home care services.
Home helper services
• Transportation and errands: Medical appointments, grocery shopping, picking up prescriptions
• Meal planning and preparation
• Light housekeeping: Vacuuming, laundry, changing bed linens, cleaning and putting away dishes
Companionship and monitoring
• Socialization and activity: Gardening, playing games, crafting, prompting exercise, going out to a park / movie / mall / museum, taking a walk
• Respite: A break from the caregiving role for the family care partner to attend to their own physical and mental well-being
Personal care services
• Mobility: Helping to get up and down from a chair; support and safety for walking; reminders to use cane or walker; pushing in wheelchair
• Bathing / showering: Safety monitoring, washing, drying off, assistance with getting in / out of shower or bath
• Grooming: Shaving, brushing teeth, drying hair, applying lotion
• Eating and drinking: Feeding, cutting food, observing for safety or swallowing issues, reminders to slow down or to take sips of liquid between bites
• Toileting: Helping to get on / off toilet, pulling up / down pants, wiping
How do I determine the quantity and kind of in-home care we need?
Take time to reflect on
What assistance with tasks, activities or ambulation does the person require? What safety challenges to they have?
Comments
What type of engagement would my loved one benefit from?
• What activities do they enjoy?
• What do they not enjoy?
• Are there places they like to go?
• Do they need prompting or monitoring for exercise?