With the continued spread of COVID-19, elderly home care offers new and promising benefits. For many elderly individuals, receiving care at home increases convenience and comfort. Now, elderly home care might also keep patients better protected from COVID-19.
A lot has changed in the world of elderly care since the advent of COVID-19. If you are currently searching for caregiving services for a loved one, you might want to consider the emerging benefits of in-home care.
Stay at Home with Ease
Even after the end of official “stay-at-home” orders, many people are continuing to stay home as a safety measure. Staying out of public spaces can decrease the potential risk of coming in contact with the virus.
Home care services can help elderly patients stay home and safe. Many caregivers are even able to go shopping for their patient’s groceries and basic necessities.
Before the spread of COVID-19, having the help of a caregiver for errands could provide extreme convenience for many elderly patients with limited mobility. Now, it can also be lifesaving as it helps elderly individuals comply with CDC recommendations to stay at home.
Minimize Contact with Others
During the pandemic, home care is helping caregiving patients minimize contact with others.
In nursing homes and other residential care facilities, patients might come in contact with a multitude of caregivers and other residents. Home care allows clients to limit their contact to just two or three caregivers.
This is especially beneficial in light of the spread of COVID-19. Minimizing interactions to just a small group of people can significantly cut down on viral spread. Receiving care from just a couple of trusted caregivers is an easy way for elderly patients to keep their contact circles smaller.
Find Companionship
Having home caregivers can also give elderly patients an opportunity for companionship. With just one or two regular caregivers, patients can build strong and trusting relationships with those who provide their care.
The consequences of COVID-19 have brought on feelings of loneliness and isolation for many. Having a trusted companionship with caregivers can make an invaluable difference for seniors who might otherwise be isolated, and even afraid right now.
While many nursing homes and senior living communities once provided great opportunities for social interaction amongst residents, this is currently not the case. In order to maintain social distancing, many residents in living communities are currently confined to their rooms. Whereas home care may have previously been a more isolating option in elderly care, it currently gives patients more freedom and social interaction than they otherwise might not be able to enjoy.
Maintain Health and Wellness
With COVID-19 cases overwhelming hospitals, avoiding ER and doctor’s visits is perhaps more important now than ever. Maintaining all aspects of one’s health and wellness will not only improve general longevity, but better protect individuals from COVID-19.
This is an important factor to consider for elderly individuals who might be receiving care for the first time. If you have a loved one who is not currently utilizing caregiving services, consider how the spread of COVID-19 might influence your decision.
Is your loved one at risk of falls or other at-home accidents? Do they need assistance doing chores and errands? Have they recently experienced a notable decline in their physical or mental health?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, now might be a good time to consider elderly care. With the extenuating circumstances of the pandemic, elderly home care might provide added benefits for your loved one that can keep them as safe, happy, and healthy as possible.
