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In Home Assistance Available From Local Companies

Aging in place while receiving appropriate assistance often poses a challenge for seniors who want to remain independent. Caregivers are often a good solution to provide services that enhance your quality of life and remain independent.

In Home Caregivers is one company that provides a variety of services. Services include Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) to help with daily living and wellness activities, such as assistance dressing, hygiene and safety supervision. They also offer home services help for housekeeping, meal preparation and similar everyday activities. A third service from In Home Caregivers is home retrofit for tasks including installation of safety bars and handrails, mobility lifts and ramps for wheelchair accessibility.

The company was founded by a young man who began helping to care for his grandfather as a youth and developed strong sense of the importance of I quality in home care.

In Home Caregivers serves Cook, Lake and DuPage counties. It is licensed, bonded and insured. For more information, visit www.inhomecaregivers.net or call 847-219-1718....

How to Assure Your Elderly Loved Ones Safety at Home: Steps to Take to Consider if Aging In Place is Right for You - Click to read the article

BYLINE:
Eva Korb is a writing specialist with a focus on aging in place.
For more information contact: info@inhomecaregivers.net or(847) 219-3316

Reminiscing on a pre-COVID world, concerns and uncertainty of our aging loved ones health and safety seemed less pressing. According to the Population Reference Bureau (https://www.prb.org/aging-unitedstates-fact-sheet/), as of 2017, life expectancy in the United States averaged 78.6 years.^[1] Not only were people living longer, but they could freely choose what healthcare plan was right for them and, depending where they lived, could freely come and go, hosting visitors as they pleased. In contrast, the pandemic has complicated this with our senior population being most at risk and thus isolated.

As times have changed, concern for our elderly loved ones is ever urgent, and giving them the opportunity to “Age in Place” has become more and more appealing. In the current climate, aging in place removes the hesitancy of moving seniors to an assisted living facility by creating a safe and secure living environment, as well as an individualized wellness plan in the comfort of their own home. Like assisted living, aging in place can provide personal care such as assistance with hygiene, meal planning and preparation, exercise and socialization. Assistance in this nature could be something as simple as grocery shopping or walking the dog to activities of daily living (ADL), such as eating, bathing, dressing, continence, and toileting.^[2]

In addition to in home caregiving and companionship assistance, another important aspect of aging in place is to make sure the home is safe. From simple security to safety products, home retrofitting is integral to assuring the safety of your loved ones. The installation of safety grab bars and poles may help stabilize seniors and reduce the risk of falls. Stairs and thresholds cause obstacles when using a cane, walker or wheelchair. Homes can be retrofitted with mobility lifts and ramps. There are even products for those visually or hearing impaired. These are just some of the adjustments that can mean the difference for a senior being able to live safely and securely in the comfort of their own home. Similar to a healthcare plan, these home safety strategies can be simple to implement to ensure seniors end of life independence in their home.

In essence, aging in place is made possible through a family meeting with in home caregiving providers and healthcare teams to evaluate your loved ones needs and develop a customized plan for the varying degrees of assistance in all capacities. Assessing assistance levels as a team allows for an individualized and complete care plan for your loved one. It is never too early to consider all of your options and needs. There are many in home caregiving agencies and age-in-place retrofitting services available. The research can begin with reaching out to your healthcare providers for advice.

Creating the proper age in place environment for your loved one is all encompassing and takes the pressure from concerns of assisted living facilities and personally taking on your loved one’s care. Done successfully, aging in place provides a life of longevity and fulfillment in the comfort of one’s own home.

^[1] From “Fact Sheet: Aging in the United States,” by the Population Reference Bureau, 2019, Population Bulletin,

Fact Sheet: Aging in the United States – Population Reference Bureau (prb.org)

^[2] From “Activities of Daily Living (ADL),” by Investopedia Staff and Reviewed by Roger Wohlner, 2020,

Investopedia, Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Definition (investopedia.com)

February is National Senior Independence Month: Steps to take now for your loved ones future - Click to read the article

BYLINE:
Eva Korb is a writing specialist with a focus on aging in place.
For more information contact: info@inhomecaregivers.net or(847) 219-3316

February is National Senior Independence Month,^[1] a time for seniors to celebrate independence and to plan ahead to maintain that independence as they age. But how does one create an independent lifestyle as they get older? Although the concept of independent living as a senior citizen is challenging, health, mobility and socialization are integral to the safety and comfort of seniors as they try to live the most fulfilled years.

The first step in helping seniors maintain independence at home is to consult with their health care providers to develop a comprehensive in-home care team. This may be as simple as having a caregiver come once a day to assist with activities of daily living such as dressing, bathing and assisting with medications or meals, or hiring a companion that can drive to social activities, errands and appoinments. As much as eveyrone would like to rely on family and friends, they may not always be available.

Having a safe home is crucial for seniors to maintain their independence and be able to ‘age-in-place’. As the elder years approach so may challenges of living with decreased mobility, vision or hearing. Retrofitting a home for preventative safety measures ensures that one is able to continue to live in the comfort of their home as long as possible. Creating an adaptable environment by installing safety grab bars, handrails, mobility lifts and ramps can protect seniors from fall risks and accidents. Audio and visual devices are invaluable safety measures for those experiencing impairments.

As your loved one ages, they should have the ability to continue to enjoy their interests at leisure. With a constantly evolving society, keeping up to date with technology is just as essential in times of need as it is for recreational purposes. Especially for pandemic safety, finding virtual versions of your loved ones hobbies allows them to stay social and connected in their communities while at home. From smartphone use to Zoom calls, ensuring that your loved one knows how to properly use this technology allows them to do what they love and lessens feelings of isolation.

Addressing independence issues as early as possible, allows seniors to keep living the lives they love without fear of the future. Although degrees of care vary for everyone, considering and thoroughly thinking through your loved ones’ plan over the course National Senior Independence Month and into the future can ease the pressure of immediate action to come, providing a life of longevity and fulfillment in the comfort of one’s own home.

^[1] From “Senior Independence Month,” by Senior Lifestyle, accessed in 2021, Senior Lifestyle, Senior Independence

Month | Senior Lifestyle