Blog

What Non-Medical Home Care Services Include?

If you live far away from your elderly loved ones then you may wonder if they are receiving all of the help they need, especially if they live alone. As seniors age they may find it more difficult to complete everyday tasks such as cooking, cleaning and finishing the laundry. While they may not need medical care, they may still benefit from non-medical home care services provided by personal support workers coming to their home and pitching in with a few chores. Personal support workers are caregivers who can come to your loved one’s home and help them with cooking, cleaning, personal care, running errands, finishing laundry and more. If this sounds like a great idea for your loved one, then keep reading to learn more about what a non-medical home care service provider could offer your loved one.

Typical in-home services that non-medical home care providers offer may vary slightly by provider. However, the following is a comprehensive list of services that most caregiving agencies do offer. Your loved one may not need help with every service on the list, but they can always modify their needs if a health issue or a personal issue arises and they need more or less care.

Conversation and Companionship

Many older individuals live by themselves. If your elderly loved one does too, then they may crave conversation and companionship. Personal support workers can provide conversation and companionship to your loved one during meals, throughout the day and during important times in order to enhance their health, happiness and their quality of life.

Meal Preparation

Personal support worker can provide help with meal preparation and cleanup to ensure that your loved ones eat healthy meals each day. This non-medical service can help your loved one maintain their nutrition and their health as they grow older.

Light Housekeeping

Housekeeping may be difficult for your loved one if they are not as mobile as they used to be. Personal support worker can provide light housekeeping services such as vacuuming, dusting, mopping, cleaning bathrooms, cleaning kitchens, straightening up, doing laundry and taking out the trash. They may also be able to help your loved one organize their belongings and help them do light gardening outdoors.

Errands and Transportation

If your loved one is unable to drive then a personal support worker can provide them with the transportation they need to run errands or make it to appointments. Personal support worker can take your loved one to the post office, to personal or medical appointments and even can take them grocery shopping. They also can help your loved one throughout their errands. For example, if they take them grocery shopping then they can help maneuver the cart and grab groceries off of the top shelf.

Respite Care

Personal support worker may also be able to provide respite care for any family members or friends who do help care for your elderly loved one. They can relieve any family members or friends of the family so that they can go home and get some rest or run errands of their own.

Medication Reminders

Personal support workers are not allowed to administer medications since they do not have a medical license but they can remind your loved one to take their medication. They can also assist your loved one in opening medication bottles and remind them what dosage they need to take each day.

Grooming and Dressing Help

If your loved one has issues grooming or dressing themselves then a personal support worker could provide them help. Personal support worker can help your loved one bathe, get ready for bed, get ready in the morning, get dressed and stay groomed. If needed, they can come to your loved ones home each morning or night to help with daily or nighty personal grooming routines. They also can help your loved one with transferring or positioning if they are not as mobile as they used to be.

Assistance with Range of Motions Exercises

Personal support workers cannot provide any type of therapy for your loved one but they may assist your loved one in doing the required therapy each day. If your loved one needs physical or occupational therapy but their physical or occupational therapist does not come to their home each day, then a Personal support worker may be able to learn some of the therapy techniques directly from your loved one’s therapists and help your loved one complete the activities. They can also serve as a reminder to help your loved one remember to complete the activities each day.

Safety

Overall, Personal support workers provide a safety net for your loved one and for your family. They can be in your loved one’s home during the day or night to ensure your loved one does not fall or that they avoid common household accidents. They also ensure you and your loved one that your loved one has easy and quick access to emergency services if needed. With a personal support worker both you and your loved one can relax in knowing that your loved one is being taken care of properly.

Non-medical home care services can help your loved one continue living at their own home while they grow older. They can provide your loved one with a variety of home care services that can make their lives a lot easier and a lot happier. Plus, non-medical home care services can also bring you and the rest of your family peace of mind. It helps knowing that your elderly loved one is getting the care and help they need if you cannot live in the same town as the. In-home care services can benefit your loved one and your family, all while preserving the dignity and life of your loved one. With non-medical home care services your loved one can retain their independence and still have someone to rely on when they need them the most.

For additional information, check these articles about home care in our blog: