Live-in care is among the best long-term solutions for people who have an elderly loved one in need of assistance. Normally, the most popular solution would be to move the person to a care home, but live-in care presents a viable alternative, which more and more families resort to. 

If you are among the people who need to consider it, you want to make sure that you end up with the right service. You cannot just find a company online and go with it. There are a few more steps to take, to ensure that the one you sign a contract with works for you. Here are a few pointers to consider in that regard: 

• Consider experience, references and qualifications – the very first thing you should always do during your research for a live-in caregiver is to consider their skills and expertise in this field. Ideally, you want a person who has been in a situation similar to your own. This is most important if your loved one has some sort of condition, like dementia for instance. It is hard to look for a standard in this industry, but certain qualifications are important. Check references and conduct checks, to make sure that the caregiver is right for you. After all, you are entrusting them with the safety and security of your loved one and you need to have peace of mind. 
  
  
• Honesty from the start is key – although it may seem obvious, this is a point worth the mention. You need to be very clear on what sort of care service you expect, both in terms of length and intensity. While it is true that care requirements may change over time, it is a good idea to establish a certain level at first. This will give you solid ground upon which to build your relationship with the live-in care provider. This way you will avoid the scenario in which the caregiver becomes under-qualified for the changing needs of your loved one. Remember, even if you are not sure what the current situation calls for, a good live-in care provider will be able to advise you on the matter, as long as you present them with the full picture. 
  
  
• Do a trial shift – one thing you can do in regards to ensuring the live-in caregiver is right for your needs is to run a trial shift. This gives you a chance to see how they work, how they handle the situation and, more importantly, how they interact with your loved one. After all, the caregiver may have all of the necessary experience and skills. But if there is zero synergies between them and the elderly person, then it is highly unlikely that they are a good pick. You also want to see how your loved one feels around the person, and whether they struggle due to the unfamiliarity or something else. A trial shift gives both sides a chance to see whether the service is right and what adjustments are needed. 
  
  
• Define clear holidays and time off – live-in care service is very intense. No caregiver can go without some time off and holidays. That is one thing you need to define early on. Discuss how caregivers can change and what type of schedule they will adopt in regards to their time off. By doing so, you will ensure that the person caring for your loved one is always fresh for the job. 
  
  

Without a doubt, finding a live-in caregiver will be easier when you follow all of these tips. Do consider them when you are on the lookout for such service. 

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If you have an ageing parent or another family member of old age, you know just how much help they need. The day-to-day tasks that they once deemed trivial will become more and more demanding. If you are not able to provide the care these people need, then you need to consider some alternatives. Home care is one of the best services that can help in this situation. 

If you are not able to provide the required care for them, then your best option is to get professional help. For many people, this means moving the ageing person to a care facility. But that is not the best scenario, because moving out of their home brings stress and a feeling of loss of security, which no ageing person likes. 

Home care is a great way to introduce the help that an ageing person needs, without the need for them to leave their home. Home care service means that a professional caregiver can visit certain times of the day, and provide some help to the person. The benefits of such service are many, and it is important to consider them, to see why it is the best option for any ageing person: 

• The service is flexible – one of the most important things that home care agencies emphasise on is the flexibility of their service. It is all about tailoring the help to the individual. Some ageing people require help with mobility and supporting equipment. Others are mostly dependent on companionship and support. It all depends on what the person needs, to devise a plan that best serves their requirements. As you first contact a home care agency, you will discuss this with them and construct the best course of action. 

• No need to move out – as it was already mentioned, the thing that makes home care such a preferable service is the fact that it brings the help to the person, rather than having them move to a care facility. This is very important since every ageing individual stresses over the thought of moving out of their home. Maintaining their familiar surroundings gives them a sense of security and wellbeing, which is essential for their physical and mental health. 

• Help with housekeeping tasks – many individuals find housekeeping work to be trivial, but for people of old age, these tasks become impossible feats. A home care operative can assist with some housekeeping tasks, although it should be pointed out that is not the focus of their job. Some minor cleaning, gardening and washing are what they will do, but unlike housemaids, they will keep the focus on the elderly person. 

• Companionship – it is no secret a lot of elderly individuals feel lonely. One of the things that a home carer will provide is companionship. It is always great having someone to talk to, which is great for their wellbeing. A home carer is a person who can be a friend to the ageing individual, helping them feel less isolated. 

• Some medical help – a lot of home carers are trained to also provide some medical help. While they are not doctors, they can monitor some symptoms, manage feeds and catheters, adjust supportive equipment and ensure the person takes their medications on time. 
  
  

Home care is becoming more and more popular for a good reason. It is a convenient service, which you can always consider if you have an ageing parent or relative in need of help. 

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Many people believe ageing is a tough period of our life, full of challenges that no one can help us overcome. While it is true that it is not an easy thing being an elder, there are more than a few ways out there that ensure one can remain positive about this stage of life. 

Live-in care services are one of the tools that make it possible. In essence, live-in care is a kind of service, which provides professional care to aid the elder person in their day-to-day activities. Finding out more about what makes live-in care such a good service is important in ensuring that it is put to good use. In this guide, we will take a look at the most important aspects of live-in care to see what makes it such a good service: 

• Care service at home – if there is one thing that separates live-in care from other services, it is the fact that it involves the elder person remaining in their own home. This means that a professional carer will visit there regularly to provide whatever assistance is necessary. The elder gets to remain in a familiar environment, instead of stressing over a new place. This can be highly beneficial for them since it will spare them worries and anxiety. 

• Specialised service – one of the best aspects of home care lies with the fact that it provides specialised service. Whatever the person needs help with, the carer will provide. For example, oftentimes elders cannot keep up with the demands of housework – cooking, cleaning and tidying up. In many cases, their day-to-day activities also require aid – bathing, showering and dressing. Carers often need to provide medical assistance, in the form of monitoring IV-drips, managing medical equipment and ensuring that the person takes their medications on time. A live-in carer is someone who will provide companionship to the elder, which is another important factor of this kind of service. The best thing about it is that it can adapt to the ever-changing needs of the elder person. 

• Professional attitude – live-in carers are experienced professionals, who are ready to provide the service at the highest possible level. They need to display this unwavering attitude at all times. A few aspects of it include showing up on time, providing the necessary devices, accessories, etc. needed for their job, always remaining vigilant about their client’s needs and having the knowledge on how to deal with all of the necessary tasks of the job. They are committed to providing the best care for the elderly so that the wellbeing and good health of the latter are guaranteed at all times. 

• Experience and training – a large part of the things described in the aforementioned point come from experience. Live-in carers need to have the knowledge and the special training on how to handle the necessary tasks. Because live-in care features a diverse set of tasks, such as housekeeping, medical expertise and personal assistance, it is important for anyone doing it to be well-trained by their company. 

• Affordability – there is no denying the fact that home care services are affordable, based on the value that you get for them. With live-in care, every aspect is being taken care of. Housekeeping, medication, shopping and more are all available for a price that leaves no question whether that is the best option. 

Knowing more about live-in care enables people to make better decisions about their older family members. 

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Many people are not happy with the prospect of going into a care home, no matter how well presented it is and how good of a service they offer. There is some negativity surrounding the concept of care homes, and while for the most part unfounded, admittedly a lot of elderly people are not fond of it.

The good news is that there are several alternatives, all of which should be up for consideration by the family members of that person. If they are hesitant to do a care home, then all of the following are viable options.

Move-in with family - many families, decide to amalgamate two households into one. More often, it is the elder who moves in with their children and families. Now, while it is a viable option, it is not for everyone. Without some strict guidelines on things like privacy, mealtimes and various other house rules, it will be quite a struggle. Parties should be comfortable with the idea of sharing a home together, or else it is not going to work. It is a good idea to try this arrangement for at least a month or two, before finally committing to the prospect of sharing a home.

Sheltered housing - sheltered housing means that the elderly person will live in an apartment in a dedicated block, which usually includes an on-site warden. All of the residents can turn to the warden if they need help. Thanks to this, the elderly know there is someone they can rely on, all the while retaining the advantages of independent living. With a communal garden/lounge, the elderly also get a chance to socialize.

Home-sharing - the rising property prices have made home sharing a good option for many people. In essence, home-sharing means the elderly person will offer part of their home to a live-in carer, who will address basic tasks around the place. The carer benefits from the nominal rent, whereas the elderly person gets some help around the house, as well as companionship.

Retirement village - retirement villages are developments that allow people to downsize their large homes. These developments are usually just within reach from the town, and they offer local amenities, like shops. In case of emergency, there should be a local warden to assist the elderly. The concept of retirement villages originated in the USA, though it is quickly taking off and expanding to other continents.

Home care - home care services come as a great alternative to care homes. A caregiver can drop by the house of an elderly person on a weekly basis, to assist with things like shopping and some other household tasks. Private home care comes with a great variety of options on tasks and what hours the carer will invest. This option allows the elderly to remain in their home, which is one of the best things about it.

Live-in care - this is a more involved version of home care, which features 24/7 care for the elderly person. The carer is there to assist them with household tasks and look after them. Not only does the caregiver provides support and companionship, but they can also offer specialized care, in case the elderly person requires that. Live-in care provides the same benefits as home care, and is an excellent option for the elderly people who would rather not leave their home, but need someone to look after them.

Evidently, there are quite a few alternatives to care homes, which elderly people should consider.

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Have you ever noticed that as people get older, they become more depressed and often feel like a burden to their loved ones? Helping them overcome these feelings is often times a deciding factor for their wellbeing. This boils down to the people who surround them and the steps they can take to ensure their elderly loved ones receive the best quality of life. Here are few recommendations in that regard: 

Address the depression problem

Depression is a major problem for people over the age of 65. It affects a few million and it is usually the stressful life circumstances that precede it – losing a spouse, clinical symptoms, retirement, or not being able to live at home. It is important to remember that depression is a major cause of heart attacks, suicide and heart conditions, which can be severe in the elderly part of the population. The best way to address depression is to recognise it and see to getting some help from a psychologist or a therapist. 

Regular exercise and time spent outdoors

The elderly should engage in regular physical exercise, because it severely minimises the risk of stroke and heart diseases. There are many more benefits to regular exercise, including better sleep, lower blood pressure and immune system boost, which are all essential aspects of the wellbeing for the elderly. The results of many researches show that regular exercise boosts vitality and social functioning. Spending time outdoors also plays a crucial role, especially if it involves natural activities, which help the person exercise. Do note that all exercise should be moderate and light, so nothing excessive is recommended. 

Improving social interaction

One of the biggest challenges that elderly people in need of extra care face is social isolation. That is often the case with individuals with limited mobility. Because of these circumstances, they are at greater risk for dementia. In order to decrease isolationism, you have to improve the frequency of family outings and visits. It doesn’t need to be anything complex; just a simple walk in the park or a lunch together provide great opportunities for companionship. 

Mental exercises are important too

There are different things that can improve cognitive functions, like Sudoku, crosswords, trivia and other exercises that boost cognitive functions. There are also other ways to prevent the cognitive impairments that come with dementia from Alzheimer’s disease and others. Asking for their wisdom is also a good thing to do, because it helps them feel more valued and appreciated. 

Make them feel more useful

A common thing among older adults is that they sometimes feel like a burden, or that nobody wants them to be around. You could easily reverse this by asking small things of them. It could be something trivial, such as folding laundry, running small errands and preparing dinner. This will easily restore their worth. It is important to match their abilities with the tasks you are asking of them. After all, you cannot demand more than their abilities allow, or the effect you achieve will be the opposite. The goal is to make them feel more valued and appreciated and the only way to do so is to engage them in activities that serve that end. It bears mention that many of the abilities that elderly people possess do not wane that severely. It is safe to say that you can even learn something from them. 

By taking all of these steps to improve the wellbeing of elderly people in your life, you can truly help them a big deal. 

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