Many families in Torrance and the South Bay know a loved one needs caregiver services to safely age-in-place at home. And they often understand the basic elements of care, such as assistance with showers, personal hygiene, dressing, and medication reminders. However, some people don’t realize their caregivers can help in a variety of other capacities and add even more value to the service.
Here are ways families can maximize the value of Torrance home care services, while improving their own quality of life and that of their vulnerable loved one.
Focus on overall “well-being”
Most people are naturally pragmatic and prioritize urgent needs over all else. And while that is a smart and understandable strategy, it’s important to think holistically with regards to home care services, such as those provided by BrightStar Care of Torrance. A caregiver can do more than simply provide bathing assistance and medication reminders. She can also deliver other forms of care that improves her client’s general well-being.
An aging loved one’s needs are more than just physical. “Mom” can also benefit from mental stimulation and social engagement. Perhaps she once had coffee with a close group of friends every Tuesday and stopped due to mobility limitations. There’s no reason her caregiver cannot safely escort her to the diner to rejoin her companions (COVID-19 considerations notwithstanding).
Or, maybe “Dad” had a special hobby that went by the wayside as his vision declined. Might his caregiver serve as an extra set of eyes to empower him to pursue his passion? The possibilities are only limited by one’s imagination. But the important thing is for families to think about their loved one’s quality of life and how a caregiver from BrightStar Care of Torrance or a similar agency might improve it beyond mere physical needs.
Eliminate redundancies
Some older folks have domestic helpers prior to beginning home care services. Many will have housekeepers, dog-walkers, and other paid staff to assist with various tasks. While seniors may value their relationships with these people, their functions are often redundant once home care services begin.
Truthfully, a professional caregiver can cover many of the duties often performed by a maid or housekeeper, such as cooking, laundry, and light housekeeping. And home health aides can even care for pets and take dogs on walks. While they are not a substitute for highly-skilled or laborious tasks, such as landscaping or pool-cleaning, they can often replace other domestic workers.
Conversely, a housekeeper or dog-walker is not a suitable “caregiver” for a senior who needs help with activities of daily living (ADLs), such as bathing, dressing, grooming, or incontinence care. So, while it may seem unfortunate to layoff existing workers, their versatility simply isn’t comparable. Some families may choose to keep their current helpers anyway, but it’s good to know an overlap in services often allows for cost savings.
Keep an open mind
It’s normal for people to want to find the best “fit” for their aging loved ones when shopping caregiver services, such as those provided by BrightStar Care of Torrance. And while well-matched aides improve quality of care, it’s important for families to keep an open mind. A trusted caregiver who provides great service despite not being a perfect match is better than a “unicorn” who never materializes. After all, care cannot begin until an aide is secured.
A common dilemma for families seeking home care in Torrance and the surrounding areas arises when they insist caregivers speak their loved one’s native language. While the request is perfectly understandable, it’s unlikely to be fulfilled. With the exceptions of two languages, Tagalog and Spanish, most agencies only have caregivers who speak English. Realistically, a family could call a dozen different companies requesting a Japanese, Mandarin, Korean, or Farsi-speaking caregiver and not identify a single candidate!
Families also sometimes ask for caregivers with certain educational backgrounds and hobbies that don’t directly relate to caregiving. Again, it’s wonderful to find home care aides who share interests with their clients. But the primary goal of securing great quality care shouldn’t be lost in unrealistic requests. And terrific caregivers will ultimately find commonalities with their clients once they develop relationships.
Plan ahead
Families often help with their loved ones’ care needs, even if they’re also relying on the assistance of professional home care services. So, it’s important to coordinate resources when addressing the most challenging tasks. For example, an aging father who cannot stand under his own strength might be a heavy lift for just one person. But a family can coordinate so their professional caregiver’s shift overlaps with “Dad’s” bathing schedule, securing an extra set of hands for the heavy lifts and “transfers.”
Likewise, families should plan so caregiver services can address work/school schedules, vacations, and other activities that would otherwise result in a vulnerable loved one being left unsupervised. While people often forgo such extracurriculars to prevent these situations, there’s no reason to do so when a home care agency partner can pick up the slack. The key is simply to coordinate schedules in a way that maximizes the caregiver benefits.
Factor in “respite”
As previously stated, planning and coordinating services helps improve the patient’s quality of care while also improving the quality of life for family caregivers. People often view home care services as “all or nothing.” But professional aides, such as those provided by BrightStar Care of Torrance, can be used to supplement the care normally delivered by loved ones.
Family caregivers face high levels of stress and need to look after their own well-being too. Their passion for helping vulnerable loved ones is to be commended, but that doesn’t mean they don’t deserve a break. And a professional home care aide can empower a family caregiver to take a much-needed vacation, attend a child’s graduation, or even go on a date night.
Final Thoughts
Families and seniors all have different needs when it comes to home care services. There’s no “one-size-fits-all” solution. But those who think creatively can find ways to maximize the value of their investment. And a great home care agency, such as BrightStar Care of Torrance, is more than happy to accommodate.
If you’re exploring caregiver solutions for a loved one, friend, or patient in Torrance, Palos Verdes, the Beach Cities, or the South Bay, be sure to call BrightStar Care today for a free Registered Nurse (RN) assessment!
Here are ways families can maximize the value of Torrance home care services, while improving their own quality of life and that of their vulnerable loved one.
Focus on overall “well-being”
Most people are naturally pragmatic and prioritize urgent needs over all else. And while that is a smart and understandable strategy, it’s important to think holistically with regards to home care services, such as those provided by BrightStar Care of Torrance. A caregiver can do more than simply provide bathing assistance and medication reminders. She can also deliver other forms of care that improves her client’s general well-being.
An aging loved one’s needs are more than just physical. “Mom” can also benefit from mental stimulation and social engagement. Perhaps she once had coffee with a close group of friends every Tuesday and stopped due to mobility limitations. There’s no reason her caregiver cannot safely escort her to the diner to rejoin her companions (COVID-19 considerations notwithstanding).
Or, maybe “Dad” had a special hobby that went by the wayside as his vision declined. Might his caregiver serve as an extra set of eyes to empower him to pursue his passion? The possibilities are only limited by one’s imagination. But the important thing is for families to think about their loved one’s quality of life and how a caregiver from BrightStar Care of Torrance or a similar agency might improve it beyond mere physical needs.
Eliminate redundancies
Some older folks have domestic helpers prior to beginning home care services. Many will have housekeepers, dog-walkers, and other paid staff to assist with various tasks. While seniors may value their relationships with these people, their functions are often redundant once home care services begin.
Truthfully, a professional caregiver can cover many of the duties often performed by a maid or housekeeper, such as cooking, laundry, and light housekeeping. And home health aides can even care for pets and take dogs on walks. While they are not a substitute for highly-skilled or laborious tasks, such as landscaping or pool-cleaning, they can often replace other domestic workers.
Conversely, a housekeeper or dog-walker is not a suitable “caregiver” for a senior who needs help with activities of daily living (ADLs), such as bathing, dressing, grooming, or incontinence care. So, while it may seem unfortunate to layoff existing workers, their versatility simply isn’t comparable. Some families may choose to keep their current helpers anyway, but it’s good to know an overlap in services often allows for cost savings.
Keep an open mind
It’s normal for people to want to find the best “fit” for their aging loved ones when shopping caregiver services, such as those provided by BrightStar Care of Torrance. And while well-matched aides improve quality of care, it’s important for families to keep an open mind. A trusted caregiver who provides great service despite not being a perfect match is better than a “unicorn” who never materializes. After all, care cannot begin until an aide is secured.
A common dilemma for families seeking home care in Torrance and the surrounding areas arises when they insist caregivers speak their loved one’s native language. While the request is perfectly understandable, it’s unlikely to be fulfilled. With the exceptions of two languages, Tagalog and Spanish, most agencies only have caregivers who speak English. Realistically, a family could call a dozen different companies requesting a Japanese, Mandarin, Korean, or Farsi-speaking caregiver and not identify a single candidate!
Families also sometimes ask for caregivers with certain educational backgrounds and hobbies that don’t directly relate to caregiving. Again, it’s wonderful to find home care aides who share interests with their clients. But the primary goal of securing great quality care shouldn’t be lost in unrealistic requests. And terrific caregivers will ultimately find commonalities with their clients once they develop relationships.
Plan ahead
Families often help with their loved ones’ care needs, even if they’re also relying on the assistance of professional home care services. So, it’s important to coordinate resources when addressing the most challenging tasks. For example, an aging father who cannot stand under his own strength might be a heavy lift for just one person. But a family can coordinate so their professional caregiver’s shift overlaps with “Dad’s” bathing schedule, securing an extra set of hands for the heavy lifts and “transfers.”
Likewise, families should plan so caregiver services can address work/school schedules, vacations, and other activities that would otherwise result in a vulnerable loved one being left unsupervised. While people often forgo such extracurriculars to prevent these situations, there’s no reason to do so when a home care agency partner can pick up the slack. The key is simply to coordinate schedules in a way that maximizes the caregiver benefits.
Factor in “respite”
As previously stated, planning and coordinating services helps improve the patient’s quality of care while also improving the quality of life for family caregivers. People often view home care services as “all or nothing.” But professional aides, such as those provided by BrightStar Care of Torrance, can be used to supplement the care normally delivered by loved ones.
Family caregivers face high levels of stress and need to look after their own well-being too. Their passion for helping vulnerable loved ones is to be commended, but that doesn’t mean they don’t deserve a break. And a professional home care aide can empower a family caregiver to take a much-needed vacation, attend a child’s graduation, or even go on a date night.
Final Thoughts
Families and seniors all have different needs when it comes to home care services. There’s no “one-size-fits-all” solution. But those who think creatively can find ways to maximize the value of their investment. And a great home care agency, such as BrightStar Care of Torrance, is more than happy to accommodate.
If you’re exploring caregiver solutions for a loved one, friend, or patient in Torrance, Palos Verdes, the Beach Cities, or the South Bay, be sure to call BrightStar Care today for a free Registered Nurse (RN) assessment!