Our Ask An Angel correspondent is Arlene Petersen, Certified Senior Advisor and Life Care Navigation Specialist in the area of senior homecare.
Q. I hate to admit it, but I am realizing that I just can’t do things as easily as I once was able. I want to retain my independence, and I am skeptical about asking for outside help. What can I do to help myself?
A. First, I must commend you for taking a realistic look at your needs as well as your limitations. It’s when we ignore challenging lifestyle issues that we risk our safety and good health. When it comes to retaining independence, most people shy away from calling in outside help. The daily chores and tasks that are necessary to run a household are difficult enough for a young person in good health, but when someone’s health is compromised, or if one is aging and experiencing physical or even mental limitations, it is very hard to keep up with simple daily chores. Hiring homecare can help with the basics that an individual can no longer handle themselves.
I have found that when people take an honest look at what keeps them from getting help and are able to overcome those hurdles or excuses, they can actually thrive and retain their independence at a higher level than they expected. Homecare services provide an array of help in many categories. They can aid in simple housekeeping, like cleaning and dusting or doing laundry. A homecare service provider can also assist in hygiene and grooming. These are fundamentals that should be kept up with for a person’s health, dignity, and morale, which is very important for someone’s well-being and happiness.
Getting to the grocery store or pharmacy or running simple errands can be a daunting task at times, especially in challenging weather seasons. Sometimes it is necessary to have help if you are no longer able to drive or move around independently. Home caregivers can help with these errands, and then perhaps carry in the bags and do some meal preparation as well. Many times an individual is capable of living on their own in their homes, but it would not be possible without the help of homecare. An experienced caregiver offers assistance to people in their homes to aid with their daily chores and miscellaneous activities. Take a personal inventory and then wisely research the right homecare that would be perfect for you. The goal of a quality caregiving agency should be the same as your personal goal: “To help you remain safely in your home.”
Would you like a checklist to help you find a great caregiver? Call me and I will send you a free caregiver checklist for you to identify the right person to help you remain active and independent in your home.
Have a question for our angel correspondent? You can send our angel an email to apetersen@visitingangels.com or send your question via mail to Ask An Angel, 65 Woodbury St., South Elgin, IL 60177.
