Caregivers

Growing old can be extremely difficult for many people, especially when they live on their own for so long. Some of the physical and mental changes that come with aging can be unbearable. They may try to ignore these symptoms, but they cannot hide from this reality. 

Their overall decline may lead them not to be able to live independently. They will have trouble with everyday activities and may even require the physical help of others to move about, bathe, or eat. It is important to have assistance because you know what your loved ones can and cannot handle on their own. Not only does this provide a sense of security, but it also provides happiness in their old age.

Having a loved one in the home doesn’t have to be a burden. With in-home care services, you can ensure that your loved one is safe and still maintain their independence. In this post, we’ll discuss situations where it is vital for an aging loved one to have 24-hour care from someone familiar with aging problems.

  1. SPOILED FOOD IN THE KITCHEN

Aging can also cause a decline in mental and physical functions, leading to an increase in forgetfulness. It could manifest itself by causing your loved one to lose track of what they have bought. They might not even remember what they have already consumed. They may be unable to handle the frustration of running out of food, so they may go shopping more often than necessary and buy more than they can eat.

The extra food will end up spoiling, leaving them with nothing but an expensive mess when you check in on them. With the assistance of a reliable caregiver, you can help your loved ones continue doing their shopping, but at a slower pace than before. They will enjoy the experience more, and you will be able to save money by preventing them from overindulging. Caregivers can also prepare meals and help your aging loved one get the right amount of nutrition, helping them age well and maintain quality of life.

  1. LACK OF PERSONAL HYGIENE

As your loved one ages, they may find it increasingly difficult to reach areas that are difficult to bathe. It can lead them to neglect important hygiene areas and eventually cause a decline in their health.

They might not be able to clean themselves properly because of their condition. If you see the signs of a smell that is more than just an odor from their food, this could indicate that your loved one needs more help bathing than they are currently getting. A caregiver can help with bathing and other activities such as dressing so you can ensure they stay healthy while allowing them to maintain some independence.

  1. UNPAID BILLS

As your loved one ages, they may find it increasingly difficult to keep track of their finances. Many older people do not even realize that their bills are unpaid and might not have the money to pay their bills.

A reliable caregiver can help your aging loved one keep track of what is owed and what needs to be paid by offering other services, such as mailing and paying bills for them.

  1. MESSY HOME

As your senior loved one age, they will likely have a harder time remembering how they got the house in the state in which it is currently. It could indicate that they need extra help staying organized inside the home and outside of it. You may notice that their once tidy house has become messy or disorganized, which can cause them to feel stressed, making cleaning take longer than before.

The assistance of a caregiver can help you ensure that your loved one can maintain their home and continue feeling at ease in their environment. A caregiver can help move things when needed and make sure the items are put away, ensuring that your loved one can maintain the life they once enjoyed.

  1. DWINDLING SOCIAL LIFE

As your loved one becomes older, their social circle may begin to shrink as time passes. They may have a hard time finding reliable friends and family members who will care for them, which could be hard on their mental state of mind and possibly lead to depression or isolation. It could be due to physical limitations related to age or health concerns.

The assistance of a caregiver can help your loved one continue socializing without needing to leave the comfort of their own home. You can call upon a caregiver to take them out for a lunch date, go grocery shopping, go to the park, or any other activity that keeps your loved one engaged with those around them.

FINAL THOUGHTS

You may not be able to prevent your loved one from aging, and you may not be able to reverse the effects of aging, but you can make sure that they age with dignity, without any undue suffering. A professional caregiver can help your loved ones maintain their independence, remain in a safe environment and maintain their dignity as they age. You can also ensure that they have enough daily assistance when needed by having a caregiver regularly check in on them.

Author bio

Andrea Gibbs is the Content Manager at SpringHive Web Agency, a company that offers web design services, maintenance, and Internet marketing. She specializes in content marketing, social media, and SEO. She also serves as a blog contributor at Serenity Senior Care. She’s an avid personal development enthusiast and an expert in the field of health and fitness. When she’s not writing she can be found running hills or hiking trails, rooting for her favorite team (the Pittsburgh Steelers), or watching a good Netflix series.

What Is Respite Care?

Respite care for the elderly is any service that supports and maintains the primary caregiving relationship by providing temporary care to an aging parent, spouse, or loved one.

If you’re the family caregiver for an aging loved one, you may be experiencing some form of stress or burnout. It’s natural for family caregivers to become so involved in taking care of someone else that they tend to allow their own needs to get put aside.

This is why respite care is so important for caregivers. As the number of caregivers increases— and there are already an estimated 34.2 million caregivers in the country today—the number of people suffering from exhaustion, stress, isolation, depression, and physical ailments is also rising. This is no coincidence. Primary caregivers need to recognize that they deserve a break from their responsibilities to take care of themselves, too. And taking some time away from caregiving duties will make the person a better caregiver in the long run.

Many family caregivers feel guilty at the thought of seeking respite services for their loved ones. A recent survey of caregivers by the National Family Caregivers Association showed that it’s challenging for spouse caregivers to acknowledge that their role is different and separate from their role as a spouse. Caregivers need to acknowledge that caregiving plays a totally separate part in their lives and that the job of long-term caregiving can be too big for just one person to handle.

Finding Relief in Respite Care

The benefits of respite care are numerous for family caregivers. Taking time away from caregiving demands will leave a caregiver refreshed and renewed, allowing them the opportunity to re-energize to be a more effective caregiver. Caregivers deserve time for activities they enjoy, whether it be reading, gardening, taking a walk, taking in a movie or museum, or whatever relaxes and eases the caregiver’s spirit. It’s also important for family caregivers to maintain social relationships with friends and other family members to avoid isolation and depression. And caregivers may need time to take care of personal errands such as seeing their own doctor or possibly attending a support group with other caregivers.

Ideally, caregivers will have regularly scheduled breaks provided by help from friends or other family members. However, if that support is not available to the caregiver, various respite care options are available. Respite care services are offered through community agencies, home health care companies, and residential care facilities. A good place to start in the U.S. is the Eldercare Locator, a free nationwide toll-free service designed to assist older adults and their caregivers find services in their community. Additional resources are local senior centers, Area Agencies on Aging, and the Family Caregiver Alliance.

Companies like Aspen Senior Care in Utah Valley, UT, can be a great option for family caregivers needing respite. Aspen provides:

⦁ Caring companionship
⦁ Personal hygiene care and showering
⦁ Homemaking assistance and light housekeeping
⦁ Meal planning and preparation
⦁ Transportation and help with errands
⦁ Medication reminders and assistance
⦁ Family caregiver coaching
⦁ Alzheimer’s and dementia care
⦁ Respite, night care & holiday care
⦁ Hospice care (non-medical)
⦁ And much more!

During a free assessment, Aspen will:

⦁ Discuss matching you with the best caregiver
⦁ Assess your loved one’s personal care needs
⦁ Determine health care, medication, and nutritional needs
⦁ Discuss emergency response services
⦁ Determine homemaking and transportation services
⦁ Discuss service costs and payment options
⦁ And, Create a quality care plan for your loved one

It is also ideal for family caregivers to create space in their home solely for themselves, whether that be a reading nook or an extra bedroom. Caregivers are advised to designate time every day, such as while the care receiver is taking a nap or when they first go to bed — something just for themselves.

Before planning respite care, caregivers should talk with their loved one about it so that they understand the benefit to both.

Remember that respite care should not be considered a luxury but a necessity for the caregivers’ well-being and their aging loved ones.

Contributor for The Senior’s Choice

Aspen Senior Care was chosen as The Best of Utah Valley in the Home Health Care category for the 9th year running! The Best in Utah Valley competition is held each spring by the Daily Herald. Readers choose and vote on their favorite local businesses, services, and products in Utah County.  The Daily Herald counts the votes to determine the top three in each category and the rest is history!

Best Of Utah Valley 2021 Badge | Aspen Senior Care

Aspen Senior Care has been serving seniors in Utah Valley for over 17 years. We are a personal care agency helping seniors with all their non-medical needs in the comfort and safety of their own homes. We work closely with several great home health and hospice agencies as well as other professionals serving the needs of seniors.

Our mission statement is very simple:

“Our mission is to help seniors in Utah live comfortably and independently in their own homes for as long as possible.”

We accomplish this by providing Utah’s finest and most reliable and personalized in-home care. Our care and business practices are based on strong family values and the highest ethical standards. We perform all senior care services with professionalism and dignity and treat all seniors like family.

Our award-winning team specializes in assisting seniors in their homes by providing caregivers you can trust. Some seniors just need a few hours a week and others need a lot more. We do it all and tailor our services to meet the unique needs of each of our clients. We also provide peace of mind to their family members. We believe that there’s no better place to be than in the comfort and safety of your own home.

We help with:

  • Personal care
  • Dementia care
  • Companionship
  • Respite care for family 
  • Medication reminders
  • Transportation and errands
  • 24-hour care and holidays
  • Showering assistance and hygiene care
  • Light housekeeping and meal preparation
  • Senior Day Care through our sister company, Aspen Senior Day Center
Chuck and Susan | Aspen Senior Care

Aspen Senior Care is a locally owned company with roots deep in Utah. With years of experience assisting seniors in our community, our staff provides quality care and enjoyable daily experiences. You can trust our staff to take great care of your loved one. 

To find out more about Aspen Senior Care’s commitment to excellence, please visit AspenSeniorCare.com or call 801-224-5910.

Aspen Senior Care is pleased to announce that we have received the 2021 Best of Home Care ® – Provider of Choice Award from Home Care Pulse. The Provider of Choice Award is granted only to the top-ranking home care providers, based on client satisfaction scores gathered by Home Care Pulse, an independent satisfaction research firm for home care. Aspen Senior Care is now ranked among a select few home care providers across the country who have proven their ability to provide outstanding care. Aspen Senior Care is also the only provider to receive this prestigious award in Utah County!

“We’re excited to congratulate Aspen Senior Care for their well-deserved achievement on earning the Best of Home Care ® – Provider of Choice Award. It’s wonderful to see the hard work that Aspen Senior Care is putting in to provide high-quality care and employment – and their effort isn’t going unnoticed. This award allows them to provide proof of quality to potential new clients and caregivers.”

— Erik Madsen, CEO of Home Care Pulse.

Best of Home Care ® – Provider of Choice award-winning providers have contracted with Home Care Pulse to gather feedback from their clients by conducting live phone interviews with their clients each month. Because Home Care Pulse is a third-party company, it is able to collect honest and unbiased feedback.

“This is not an easy award to win, but it shows our dedication to our caregivers and our senior clients,” says Susan Johnson, Relations Manager of Aspen Senior Care. “It also shows our willingness to be transparent in all that we do. We credit our wonderful team of professional caregivers who share our passion for helping seniors in Utah live comfortably and independently in their own homes.”

“At Home Care Pulse, our mission is to help home care businesses create an experience that goes beyond client and caregiver expectations,” says Erik Madsen, CEO of Home Care Pulse. “We are happy to recognize Aspen Senior Care as a Best of Home Care ® – Provider of Choice and to celebrate their accomplishments as a trusted home care provider.”

About Aspen Senior Care

It all started in 2004 when Gary finally figured out what he wanted to do with the rest of his life. He’d been searching for two years looking to start his own business — something that would do good in the community, be fulfilling, and provide a service he could be passionate about every day. Senior care fits the bill!

Gary is a people person and loves to get to know people from all walks of life. He’s also a big family guy and loves his wife and kids and his big extended family. He knew senior care was definitely his thing as soon as he came across it.  After researching the market, he decided to join The Senior’s Choice network and start Aspen Senior Care in 2004.

Since then, he’s focused on finding top-notch caregivers first and foremost. If he trusts them to take good care of his parents, then he knows he can trust them to take good care of yours. He grew his office staff by promoting great caregivers as Aspen has grown over the years. It’s been a great formula and one that continues to be successful to this day. As Gary looks back, he says he has no regrets, just a lot of gratitude.

To find out more about Aspen Senior Care’s commitment to excellence, please call 801-224-5910.

About Home Care Pulse

Home Care Pulse is the industry’s leading firm in satisfaction research, quality assurance, and caregiver training. On behalf of home care businesses across North America, Home Care Pulse gathers unbiased satisfaction ratings from clients and caregivers and detailed feedback to ensure the best in-home care possible can be provided. Powerful online reports allow businesses to identify needs and take action to reduce increase satisfaction, reduce caregiver turnover, and address client needs. Home Care Pulse combines detailed client/caregiver insights with top-rated caregiver training through In The Know. Please call Home Care Pulse at (877) 307-8573 or visit homecarepulse.com.

Aspen Senior Care was chosen as The Best of Utah Valley in the Home Health Care category. The Best in Utah Valley competition is held each spring by the Daily Herald. Readers choose and vote on their favorite local businesses, services, and products in Utah County.  The Daily Herald counts the votes to determine the top three in each category and the rest is history!

Aspen Senior Care has been serving seniors in Utah Valley for over 16 years. We are a personal care agency helping seniors with all their non-medical needs in the comfort and safety of their own homes. We work closely with several great home health and hospice agencies as well as other professionals serving the needs of seniors. 

Our mission statement is very simple:

“Our mission is to help seniors in Utah live comfortably and independently in their own homes for as long as possible.”

We accomplish this by providing Utah’s finest and most reliable and personalized in-home care. Our care and business practices are based on strong family values and the highest ethical standards. We perform all senior care services with professionalism and dignity and treat all seniors like family.

Our award-winning team specializes in assisting seniors in their homes by providing caregivers you can trust. Some seniors just need a few hours a week and others need a lot more. We do it all and tailor our services to meet the unique needs of each of our clients. We also provide peace of mind to their family members. We believe that there’s no better place to be than in the comfort and safety of your own home.

We help with:

  • Personal care
  • Dementia care
  • Companionship
  • Respite care for family 
  • Medication reminders
  • Transportation and errands
  • 24-hour care and holidays
  • Showering assistance and hygiene care
  • Light housekeeping and meal preparation
  • Senior Day Care through our sister company, Aspen Senior Day Center

Aspen Senior Care is a locally owned company with roots deep in Utah. With years of experience assisting seniors in our community, our staff provides quality care and enjoyable daily experiences. You can trust our staff to take great care of your loved one. 

To find out more about Aspen Senior Care’s commitment to excellence, please visit AspenSeniorCare.com or call 801-224-5910.