Do’s and don’ts of homecare services

Taking care of your elderly parent, sibling or spouse can be time consuming, rewarding and challenging. According to the National Alliance for Caregivers and AARP, family caregivers who live with those they care for spend, on average, 24.4 hours per week providing care. 

The kind and quality of care you provide determines your loved ones' overall health and well-being. Therefore, it is essential to pay attention to detail, show compassion and kindness, along with providing emotional and physical support when needed. 

The home health care Omaha professionals want to share four do’s and don'ts that can help you if you're struggling to take care of your senior members.

Do hire a professional caregiver

At times, it is best to leave the caregiving to a professional with skills and experience in elderly care. Additionally, you may have a job, career or education that prevents you from being available 24/7. 

A professional home health care Omaha caregiver can help your loved one with daily chores, transportation, bathing, feeding and companionship. They can also provide you with a break from taking care of your senior members, which is vital for your well-being.

Do work on your emotions

Elderly parents face a lot of challenges due to old age that may cause them to act out. For example, a senior member may constantly talk negatively, use abusive words, or throw tantrums. This can easily get to you and cause you to build resentment and anger towards them.

Luckily, you can avoid this by working on your emotions and maintaining a positive attitude. Try and understand why your parents are behaving that way and listen to them instead of fighting back.

Do not act as a home doctor

As your aging parent starts to age, they can develop health issues. The National Council of Aging found that about 92 percent of seniors have one kind of chronic disease, while 77 percent have at least two. These illnesses might require specific professional care.  

If you have a senior member that is sick, avoid self-treatment or self-medication. Instead, inform your home caregiver or take them to the hospital for quality care. A home caregiver can also remind your senior member to take medication, especially if they have dementia.

Do not try to "wing it"

Taking care of an aging parent is not something that the average person has experience. Successful caregiving involves planning, organization and dedication, and "winging it" can lead to failure and unhappiness. 

If you have an aging loved one living with you, take time to research the best methods of taking care of an aging loved one. Or consider hiring a home health care Omaha caregiver since they can provide professional care. These professionals can assist your aging parent in accomplishing daily tasks, bathing or driving them to appointments. 

Hire a home health care Omaha professional 

At Akkase Home Health Care, we provide home help for the elderly, from preparing meals to cleaning laundry. Contact us today for help at home senior care services.