How Home Care Can Make You and Your Senior Parent Happier
August is Happiness Happens Month, a month to celebrate the things that make you happy. The idea behind the month is to remember that happiness occurs one moment at a time and that even small things can make us happier people. If the responsibilities of being a family caregiver have you feeling a little down or if you’ve noticed your senior parent is kind of blue, hiring a home care provider through an agency just might make you both happier people.
Home Care in Comstock Park MI: Happiness Happens Month
Home Care Happiness for Family Caregivers.
Family caregivers work really hard at keeping their senior parents healthy and safe while also juggling work, children, friends, and taking care of themselves. Here are some ways hiring a home care provider can make you happier:
- Me Time. When is the last time you spent a few hours doing something just for you? Maybe you miss having time to read a good book without interruption. Or, maybe it’s been a while since you’ve sat down and watched a ball game uninterrupted. Perhaps you could use a good massage or a day at the spa. And just maybe you can’t even find time to squeeze in an exercise class. A home care provider can spend time with your parent while you take time out just for you. You can relax knowing that your parent is well taken care of by a professional.
- Know Your Parent is Safe. Just knowing that your parent is safe each day while you are at work can really reduce the stress that keeps you from being happy. A home care provider can visit your parent’s home for just a few hours to check in and help with whatever is needed, or they can stay for the entire day. Work nights? That’s okay, too! Home care providers can also work overnight.
- Spend Time with Family. One of the hardest parts about being a family caregiver to a senior parent can be finding time to spend with your own children. A home care provider can spend time with your parent while you focus on making memories with your children and reminding them of how special they are.
Home Care Happiness for Seniors.
One of the things that can make older adults unhappy is feeling lonely. Having a home care provider spend some time with them each day gives seniors a social outlet and someone to share some of their time with. Other ways that a home care provider can make your senior parent happier are:
- Good Meals. Many seniors have trouble preparing meals for themselves as they get older. A home care provider can prepare healthy meals for your parent. If your parent does not like eating alone, a home care provider can sit with them while they eat, making mealtime more enjoyable.
- Personal Care. No one wants to feel disheveled and unkempt. A home care provider can visit your parent’s home to help them dress and perform other grooming tasks, like showering and fixing their hair.
- Get Out of the House. Home care providers can help your parents get out of the house so they don’t spend day after day looking at the same walls. A home care provider can drive your parent to social engagements, fitness classes, doctor appointments, and to visit friends. Home care providers can also take walks with your parent, giving them a chance to get some fresh air and exercise.
This month, take time to think about the things that make you happy. If you find your list falls a little short, do something about it! If not having enough time for yourself is the problem, remember that home care providers can help free up some of your time so that you can focus on other things knowing that your parent is safe, healthy, and happy.
If you or someone you know needs help with home care in Comstock Park, MI, contact Gauthier Family Home Care. We provide quality and affordable home care services in our community. Call us at (616) 258-2300 for more information.
Sources
https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/happiness-happens-month/
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