Considering In-Home Care For Your Senior Loved-One?
When Is It The Right Time?
(And Why You Should Consider Hiring Foothills Home Services)
Since 2001, Foothills Home Services has provided “families with tranquillity and peace of mind” with our wide range of personalized home care servicing Calgary, Okotoks, High River and surrounding areas. Learn more from the proud owner, Sylvia McKinlay, when it is time to start considering home care, and why Foothills Home Services is one of the best choices for your senior loved one.
If you are currently caring for your ageing parents, and feeling a deep sense of guilt that you aren’t doing enough —you are not alone. Balancing your own life, family, work as well as taking on the responsibility of caring for your ageing parents can be exhausting- we understand. In 2018, over one-quarter of all Canadians provided caregiving to someone in their family— over half of these individuals were caring for their elderly parents. We know you love your parents and want the best for them, which is why we are here to provide reprieve with a supportive hand for short-term, long-term or around-the-clock care-- Foothills Home Services is here to help.
What are the common fears and misconceptions when considering home care?
There are many fears and misconceptions when it comes to in-home care, trust us when we say we have heard them all; below are a few of the more common concerns and how we address them as they come up:
“I don’t want a stranger in my home, sticking their nose in my business. I don’t trust them”- our trusted team members are always respectful of each client we help, the FHS team has criminal records and vulnerability care checks among many other certifications and client testimonials.
“I don’t need help, I can do it myself”-we provide tailored services, to give a senior loved one confidence and support so they don’t have to lift a finger, or we are there providing companionship, good conversation and able to help when a need arises.
“My family won’t come to visit, I am just going to be dumped onto strangers”- our staff will become friends and companions, we treat every one of our clients like family.
“It is unnecessary and expensive!! I don’t want to put that kind of financial strain on our family”- our goal is to provide innovative and affordable home care and will vary our home care services to fit your needs, your loved ones are worth it!
With Foothills Home Services trusted team of professionals, you can rest easy, knowing that your loved ones are well taken care of.
Typically, when do you recommend home care should begin or at least be considered?
Home care should be considered as soon as there is a noticeable decline in a senior loved one’s health, whether it be their mental or physical wellbeing. If the senior in your life has a terminal illness, it is best to start home care immediately. Palliative care is something Foothills Home Services offers, our amazing team has the skill set, experience, and many years of training to give your loved one the care and attention they need.
What are some medical reasons that may require professional in-home care?
When a family member is sick, having a professional caregiver provide home care can ease your worries, allowing for you to rest assured your loved one is getting the attention they need. Some of the medical reasons we’ve provided professional home care in the past have been:
Terminal care
Palliative care
Memory loss
Catheter care
General wellbeing and companionship
What positive changes have you noticed in seniors after receiving palliative care?
Families can rest easy knowing that their loved ones are cared for by someone that has the professional, specialized training and abilities to look after their parents. It is a 24-hour a day job but we are used to the hours, and addressing the needs of the patients and the families. Our team has the compassion, care and support skills for this work, which isn’t for everyone- dealing with the last days of a person’s life. If we can be with them in the last moments, it is security for them knowing they aren’t alone.
What are the benefits of starting home care sooner rather than later, regardless of a medical concern?
The transition is so much easier for your senior loved if home care (even just the odd visit to begin with) starts sooner rather than later.
Taking a proactive approach and starting home care before a medical emergency:
allows your senior loved one time to feel comfortable with the changes
Helps everyone to prepare for the unexpected
Allows for ample time to adjust to a new situation
Allowing time for an assessment of how much help is going to be needed
Allows for the opportunity to understand the client’s wants and needs before they are unable to tell us
Allows for the care to start slow and stress-free, for friendships to develop and trust to be established in a low-pressure setting
The need for an increased about of care later in our lives is inevitable, all of us will go through this experience in our lives and it can often be unsettling and stressful. One way to make the transition easier is to give us a call ahead of time, we are here to answer all the questions that may be swimming around in your head. Call us to get advice, information, and help you and your ageing parents prepare when the time comes. Often, we get the call to help when an elderly loved one is already suffering from ill health or coming out of the hospital, not before, the additional stress of getting to know someone new could be relieved with proactive information gathering. Regardless of medical issues, there are so many benefits to starting home care sooner than later.
What is the most common service within home care which families seek for their loved ones?
Companionship- our clients do not want their parents alone in their time of need.
We provide temporary or long-term companionship services that do so much more than help your senior loved one’s physical needs. Our reliable and trusted staff can provide some of the services below and so much more.
Helping with groceries and shopping
Meal planning, preparation and cooking
Driving to doctor’s appointments
Any errands
Vacation stays
Cleaning
Be someone to talk to
Card games
24/7 care and attention
We bring peace of mind to both the family and the patient. We are there to help your senior loved ones through tough times, with “a smile and a laugh”, a listening ear, and compassionate care.
We understand that it is hard to let go and ask for help- but when you place your loved one in our trusting hands, they’ll receive genuine care backed by many years of experience. If you are considering home care or are looking for more information, contact us today to learn more on how we can help here.
