Home Assisted Living has many different names including in-home senior care, residential senior care and in-home assisted living. Regardless of the name, this is a service where non-medical assistants (and sometimes medical personnel) help seniors with daily activities. This service can be just like that in an assisted living facility or it can be to a lesser degree. Before moving into a professionally run assisted living facility, many seniors chose to extend their stay at home by having an attendant help them with their most pressing problems. This is a rapidly growing option for many seniors that have budget restraints. For those seniors with minor limitation, in-home care is a very inexpensive option when compared to assisted living or nursing homes.

Our directory of In-home Care service providers also includes community services that can assisted in residential care situations. This includes local non-profits and even local medical supply companies.

Most services have a minimum of 3 or 4 hours and can extend up to 24-hour care. This service can also be administered in a facility at a lower cost than more complete coverage by the facility. Based on an rate of $10/hour for a professional service and a 4 hour per day minimum, the average monthly cost is less than $900/ month. This can be a very affordable option that allows seniors additional security while increasing their standard of living.

For those senior with more limitations, the service can include assistance with:

  • Eating
  • Bathing / Grooming
  • Dressing
  • Incontinence
  • Cognitive impairment
  • Assistance with Mobility
  • Driving to local merchants and amenities
  • Medication reminders (not medication dispensing)

In many cases, the in-home care specialist can help boost the standard of living by taking care of the mundane daily tasks while providing companionship to a senior. Daily activities can include :

  • Monitor diet and eating
  • Check food expirations
  • Assist with entertaining
  • Answer the door
  • Assist with evening and tuck-in activities
  • Stimulate mental awareness
  • Provide reminders for appointments
  • Discuss current and historical event
  • Assist with clothing selection
  • Care for houseplants
  • Participate in crafts
  • Take out garbage
  • Play games and cards
  • Maintain family scrapbook
  • Supervise home maintenance
  • Record and arrange recipes
  • Plan visits, outings and trips
  • Oversee home deliveries
  • Clip coupons for shopping
  • Monitor TV usage
  • Prepare grocery lists
  • Mail bills and letters
  • Rent and play movies
  • Visit neighbors and friends
  • Read religious materials
  • Buy magazines, papers and books
  • Maintain calendar
  • Record family history Home Helper Services
  • Assist with laundry and ironing
  • Arrange appointments
  • Aid with morning and wake-up activities
  • Provide medication reminders
  • Assist with walking
  • Write letters and correspondence
  • Organize mail
  • Aid with reading
  • Plan, prepare and clean up meals
  • Make beds
  • Change linens
  • Dust furniture
  • Drop off and pick up dry cleaning
  • Organize and clean closets
  • Assist with pet care
  • Pick up prescriptions
  • Shop for groceries and supplies
  • Escort to appointments
  • Accompany to lunch or dinner
  • Prepare future meals
  • Escort for shopping and errands
  • Escort to religious services
  • Attend plays and concerts
  • Attend club meetings and sporting events
  • Aid with airport tasks

When searching for a service, make sure you discuss the goals for the service and how they will track progress on the goals. You also want to make sure that you define criteria for when you should be contact of a potential risk.

The biggest downside to this service is when a senior has only one person (the service provider) checking on their well being, they are at risk. In this case, the family is relying on the judgment of one person to determine if the senior is at risk. In-home care does leave a senior open to abuse (both physical and financial) so it is critical to find someone who can be trusted. The best professional services are bonded and insured. They may also be a member of the Better Business Bureau. When ever possible, check their references.

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