UM HomeWorks Communities

Home Health Care We Can Be There When You Can’t

By: Deborah Walsh, Corporate Director of Home Care Service, United Methodist Communities

At United Methodist Communities HomeWorks, we often hear stories from frustrated family members about mom or dad refusing to accept any help at home even though they clearly need it.

Resisting help is very common in the elderly. The fear of losing independence and control, the invasion of privacy, and distress about a stranger in the house are all reasons for this.

The concept of home care can seem very intrusive, but not all seniors have the same needs. These can range from complete assistance with personal care and all activities of daily living (ADLs) to simple companionship and help with shopping, meal prep and laundry (IADLs).

Many of our clients are now opting for home care earlier by gradually introducing companion care once or twice a week. Your loved one can remain safely at home in this challenging time. They can guide your loved one and can facilitate video calls to keep you connected, can provide wellness checks, and perform errands such as shopping and meal preparation.

Waiting until mom or dad are at a stage when they need daily or live-in care heightens the fear of losing independence and is not the best time to start home care. The ideal time to introduce a companion may be when a loved one begins to struggle with things like meal prep, cleaning, and laundry. We are finding that seniors are more comfortable with a companion rather than a home health aide and the cost is less. Concern about cost may be their barrier to accepting help at home.

Companion care offers emotional support to seniors who don’t necessarily require medical services. The possibilities are endless as to what a companion caregiver can offer – here are a few. • Accompanying your loved one to doctor’s appointments and advocating on their behalf • Engaging in social activities such as reading, watching TV together, playing cards, or board games • Planning meals and cooking for them or together • Shopping and errands

Companion care can provide socialization, which is vital to mental health and reducing feelings of loneliness. During this time when seniors stay in their homes, social isolation may become an issue. Companion care ensures that they have regular interaction with others. As relationships develop seniors come to look forward to their time together and this can help reduce feelings of depression. Jump into companion care and introduce help for your loved one in a gradual, less costly, and less threating way.

For more information, call 732-838-1950 or visit www.UMCHomeworks.org.

In-home care for seniors. Call today for a free in-home assessment. 732-838-1950 • UMCHomeworks.org.

76 West Main Street, Freehold, NJ 07728

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