What is an In-Home Caregiver?

When your aging loved ones begin struggling to complete normal daily tasks, you may find yourself worrying about their safety and well-being. You may even start to wonder if it’s still safe for them to be living alone.

If your senior isn’t ready to consider moving in with a relative or relocating to an assisted living facility, it may be time to consider hiring an in-home caregiver to help provide support for your aging loved ones. In this post, we’ll break down the duties and responsibilities of in-home caregivers.

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What is an In-Home Caregiver?

An in-home caregiver helps seniors with daily household tasks and personal care, such as getting dressed, bathing, and using the bathroom. In-home caregivers also provide companionship and emotional support for their patients.

Some providers offer specialized care for seniors recovering from surgery, struggling with issues like dementia, or who need help accessing Veteran’s benefits.

Benefits of Hiring an In-Home Caregiver

For many seniors, losing their independence as they age can be devastating for their mental health. Hiring an in-home caregiver can allow older adults to retain their independence longer and presents an alternative to moving out of their home, even for seniors who require 24-hour care.

Nursing homes and assisted care facilities are an all-or-nothing approach, requiring your loved ones to sell their home, get rid of many of their possessions, and pay an inflated rate for room, board, and care. By hiring an in-home caregiver instead you’ll get exactly how much help you need, exactly when you need it. Whether you just need an extra hand during a difficult time or you’re looking to hire a full time caregiver, in-home care services give you the flexibility to decide for yourself.

In-Home Caregiver Duties and Responsibilities

But what is an in-home caregiver actually doing day-to-day? In-home caregiver duties and responsibilities include:

Personal Care

Personal upkeep can become challenging as we age, leading to a decline in self-esteem and overall mental health. In-home caregivers help their patients with daily personal care activities like:

• Using the bathroom
• Bathing
• Oral care, skin care, and general hygiene
• Hair care, grooming, and dressing

Homemaking

As we stated above, one of the primary benefits of hiring an in-home caregiver is the ability for seniors to stay in their own homes as they age. If your loved one needs help keeping house, running errands, or preparing meals, they could benefit from homemaking services like:

• Running errands and grocery shopping
• Meal planning and preparation
• Light housekeeping, such as dishwashing, cleaning, organizing, and plant care
• Laundry, linens, and bedmaking

Companionship

Companionship is key to both our physical and mental health. An in-home caregiver focusing on providing companionship could help with things like:

• Shopping and errand assistance
• Writing and sending cards, notes, and emails
• Supporting hobbies and interests
• Providing companionship at social events

Specialized Care

If your senior has specialized needs, Griswold In-Home Caregivers can help with the following:

• Dementia Care Support
• Post Surgery & Rehabilitation Care Support
• Hospice and Palliative Care Support
• Neuromuscular Care Support
• Fall Prevention & Recovery Support
• Veterans Care
• Overnight Care
• Live-In Care
• 24-Hour Care

To learn more about our home care services, contact our caregiving team today at 1-800-GRISWOLD or find a Caregiver near you.