Senior Living: 5 Ways to Adjust to In-Home Care

For many seniors, the transition from independently living to help at home can be a difficult one. Seniors who are accustomed to being independent may find it hard to welcome a caregiver into their home and rely on them for their everyday needs. As a trusted provider of senior home care in Harrisburg, Home Care offers these five simple things you can do to adjust to home care.

1. Establish a daily routine and stick to it. One of the biggest fears seniors have when receiving in-home care is feeling like independence has been lost. Sticking to your normal schedule will remind you that you’re still in control of things like when you eat, what errands you do, when you exercise, and what time you go to bed.
2. Acknowledge the areas where you need help. If you are hesitant to ask for help with daily activities because you feel you should be able to perform them on their own, you’re not alone.  But when you acknowledge the areas where you need help–maybe the groceries are getting too heavy to carry or you don’t have the energy to prepare all your meals anymore–having assistance from a Harrisburg hourly caregiver will come as a relief.
3. Communicate openly with your caregiver. It can be difficult to feel comfortable or get to know another person if communication is nonexistent. By creating a dialogue between yourself and your caregiver, commonalities can be found. You will feel more comfortable with this person being in your home, and you might even begin to feel they’re just as much a friend as a caregiver.
4. Continue doing the things you enjoy. Just because someone is there to help out, doesn’t mean you need to cease doing the activities you enjoy. In fact, the caregiver is there to make sure you can continue doing what you enjoy most. Open up to your caregiver about your interests and hobbies, maybe you will find a common interest. If you participate in a lot of activities outside your home, consider providing them with a schedule.
5. Encourage family members to visit and socialize. In-home care ensures that you’re getting any extra help you need, but it is essential that emotional and social needs are still being met as well. Having family and friends over, especially in the beginning, will help provide a sense of normalcy during the transition.

It takes time to adjust to in-home care, and there is no formula to guarantee a smooth transition. But keeping the aforementioned tips in mind will help you adjust to your new situation as seamlessly as possible.