My dad used to say that the only certain things are death and taxes. Well, he was partially right…time is also a constant. It moves forward whether we are paying attention to it or not. We mark time through special events like births, graduations, and marriages and time with our friends through reunions and travel. Time seems to move faster as we get older. When we are young, we don’t pay attention to cumulative effects, on the mind and the body, of living a long time.
The secret is to maintain our physical and mental abilities at an optimum at every age, but how do you do that when there is a natural decline beyond 75 years? The first people to notice this decline are those who are closest to you or the ones you see on a regular basis. You may not admit it to your loved ones, but maybe you are a little concerned deep down inside that you are not keeping up with everyone like you used to. There is no shame in bringing a qualified and trained caregiver into your home so that you can continue to enjoy life without feeling like a burden.
Whether you are a senior or an adult child of a senior, this quick and easy quiz will answer the question of how to know it’s time to hire in-home help. If you answer yes to at least 5 of the following questions, you can benefit from in-home support. While we use “parents”, this also applies to special needs family members, who are 18-years and older.
How to know it’s time to hire in-home help?
- I am finding it hard to manage my own life in addition to helping my parent(s).
- My professional work is suffering as I need to take more time off for doctor appointments for family members.
- I am not physically strong enough to help my parent(s) take a shower and assist them from a chair to a bed.
- My home is not as clean as I would like it to be.
- I cannot afford to place my parent(s) in an Assisted Living Community.
- I work from home but most of my time is being spent on other activities, not my work.
- I am increasingly exhausted by the end of the week, and I am not sleeping well.
- I used to go to the gym and exercise regularly, but this is happening less and less.
- My siblings live too far away to be helpful, although they are supportive.
- Vacation time and weekend getaways are a thing of the past.
- I used to enjoy time in the garden but now it just looks like a long “to-do” list.
- I often daydream that I have a personal assistant in my life to help me with tasks.
If you score six or more: Your personal well-being is at risk of causing health problems if left long term.
We can customize a program that fits four hours day or two a week or four to eight hours every day. We can help you balance your life and responsibilities so that you can maintain your personal health and happiness.
Call us at (619) 877-6626 or visit https://ehcsandiegocounty.com/
Accepting that we need help from others is a hard thing to do for a person who has lived a full and capable life. But don’t feel like it’s the end of the world, as there are people who are more than willing to help you feel the confidence and capability you once had. Even if you are a couple, having an extra set of hands can make a day seem brighter.
If your kids, who are now adults, have busy lives with their own kids, it may seem that there is not enough time for you. Perhaps you think that since you raised them when they were young that they owe you time back now. If you and your family are thinking any of these things, then maybe asking for in-home assistance should be considered. Especially if your adult children can’t spend enough time to assist you with the things that you need. A good solution is to have them participate in your life when they can and manage an in-home caregiver schedule so that you can have the additional support that you have earned.
Perhaps we can learn from those who have a chronic illness, as they find it easier to ask for help. Their survival relies on others assisting them to minimize their limitations for basic living. For those who are generally healthy but just frailer than they would like to be and are accustomed to doing everything for themselves, so the asking is much harder.
Consider your in-home caregiver as your partner in good health to slow your decline. They are someone who looks forward to seeing you, who takes an interest in what you want to say and who wants you to be happy accomplishing something each day.
Our motto is “We care with compassion” as everyone deserves to age with dignity and respect. Our team of specialists and caregivers are trained to deliver personalized care 24/7 to assist with everyday living routines such as bathing, clothing, grooming, meal preparation, and medication reminders. We provide Alzheimer’s and dementia care, hospice support, and transportation assistance. https://ehcsandiegocounty.com/
Call (619) 877-6626 to talk to a team member and learn why EHC are the preferred in-home caregivers for families throughout San Diego County. Or visit https://ehcsandiegocounty.com/
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