Considering care options for your loved ones as they age or become ill can be a complex topic. Not only do you have to come to terms with all the changes, but you also want to ensure they get the best care possible at every stage of life.
Many prefer in-home health care to remain close to their families, while others may go for a senior care facility in Reno. Of course, this choice is influenced by several factors, including your availability and budget and whether or not your loved one is suffering from ailments that require constant, professional care.
At the same time, being a caregiver can be emotionally and physically exhausting, so it’s also in your best interest to consider additional options for quality care. Doing the necessary research and getting the correct information is the first step in making an informed decision.
To help you get started, we’d be explaining three main care options for seniors - respite care, hospice care, and palliative care.
Respite Care
Respite care is a service that allows you to entrust the care of your loved ones to a professional caretaker, friend or relative so you can temporarily relieve that responsibility. Think of it as necessary because if you’re the primary caregiver, who cares for your needs? Without it, you can quickly find yourself stressed and burnt out, affecting your ability to provide the best care.
By regularly taking a few hours off to attend to your needs, you will be renewed and better able to resume your duties as the primary caretaker. Additionally, respite care allows you to take a more extended break if necessary, so you can do fun and relaxing activities such as going on a well-deserved vacation.
This service is one of the in-home care options we provide. We offer customized services and flexible scheduling that can be as needed or as part of a weekly routine that seniors can enjoy in the comfort of their own homes.
Hospice Care
The National Institute on Aging defines hospice care as the care, comfort, and quality of life of a person with a severe illness approaching the end of life. In most cases, it begins when the person is expected to live for six months or less.
This care can be done at home and usually applies to those with an incurable illness or disease and those who care for them. This holistic approach prepares all those involved emotionally, psychologically, spiritually and otherwise.
This can be one of the hardest things to come to terms with, but it also allows you to spend as much time with your loved ones and make them as comfortable as possible. You can do this by hiring a team to offer end-of-life services and care to them.
It can also happen that hospice care becomes an option for persons who, for several reasons, refuse to receive ongoing treatments. For instance, those who have already undergone multiple surgeries or possibly a cancer patient who would rather stop chemotherapy or radiation. In this case, even if you disagree with the decision, it’s important for your relatives and loved ones to know that they have your support.
Consider your option for hospice care and contact us to learn more about our home health care options at Comfort Keepers.
Palliative Care
Palliative care refers to specialized medical care for those affected by serious illnesses such as cancer, heart failure, dementia and more. Though serious, unlike hospice care, treatment is administered in palliative care to cure the illness if possible. Palliative care can be done at home with the assistance of qualified professionals.
Similar to hospice care, a specialized team is also dedicated to caring for the individual and their family. If over time, the doctor or palliative care team decides that treatment is not working, then the person may be transferred to hospice care.
We hope this blog has given you the necessary information to make the right choice when that time comes. Comfort Keepers is here for you if you’re looking for quality in-home care for your loved ones. Our caregivers are carefully screened and trained to provide both long-term and short-term care. We handle household tasks, prepare meals, ensure medicine management and much more.
We proudly serve Reno, Sparks, Carson City, Incline Village and neighboring communities. Call your local office today!
