Understanding Home Health Care

Senior home care tends to bring certain ideas to mind. For example, you may think about assisted living and full home health care. In fact, most people tend to think of the same care you would receive at a nursing home or assisted senior living facility, but within the home. Though these are options, there are some other options available for senior care. One of those options is to use an informal caregiver. Here are a few key points to know about informal caregivers and how they may assist you and your senior family member's needs.

Daily Assistance

One of the main aspects of an informal caregivers job is to offer daily assistance to the senior that is in home care. This daily assistance can be with basic housekeeping needs, cooking, cleaning, and with mild medical care such as helping with toileting needs. You may also have a caregiver that offers help with baths and with activities of daily living such as basic hygiene. For many people, an informal caregiver is a home health aide, housekeeper, and companion all in one.  

Transportation Assistance

Transportation can be a large issue for many people that have senior family members in senior care. There are doctors appointments, and sometimes these appointments may number in several a week. There may be therapy appointments, church, and other transportation needs. For example, your family member may be active with the senior center as well as with their other appointments and friendships. This means they need transportation that you may not be able to provide due to work. An informal caregiver can give this transportation assistance so that you can be at work and your family member can still handle their appointments.

Family Assistance

One of the biggest aspects of using an informal caregiver is the ability to help the family as much as the senior who is in senior home care. Helping the family means offering a caregiver that can help with all aspects of daily life while being a professional within home health care during the day or night. The informal caregiver works at various hours and works with the hours that assist the family the most. For example, you may work a night shift when the family member can't be left alone. An informal caregiver can be there overnight to help with any issues during the night that you aren't there to help with. This assists you as well as the senior family member.

These are just a few of the key points you should know about informal caregivers and how they can help you and your senior family member. If you think this will work for you, contact your local senior home care provider. They can help you locate the right caregiver for you and answer any questions that you have. They can also help you with scheduling and working out the best options for your needs.