When families have to come together to make decisions about elderly care for an aging loved one, there are several choices to make. Even if you wish to provide the bulk of the in-home care yourself, respite care is an important thing to include in your plan. No caregiver can provide care without a break and still provide the kind of support he or she wants to give a loved one. An in-home caregiver in Memphis can help you be the best caregiver you can by providing respite care.

Respite care is a short-term relief to caregivers that allows them to focus on their own well-being, while feeling confident that their loved ones needs are being met. An elder care provider can provide respite care so you can have a lunch with a friend, an afternoon on your own, or a vacation with your family. Respite care can also help you keep up work duties or even catch up on sleep. It is an important way of caring for your own wellbeing, so you can then care for your loved one.

A hip fracture can be a painful and debilitating injury that requires a lengthy recovery. Generally, people can benefit from having an in-home caregiver to assist during their recoveries, when their mobility may be limited. Here is a look at what you can expect while you recover from a hip fracture and how in-home care in Memphis may be helpful.

Rehabilitation

After surgery to repair your hip fracture , you will undergo physical therapy during rehab in the hospital where you had your surgery or in a rehab facility. This physical therapy is designed to help you regain some basic mobility and begin to rebuild the muscles that will support your repaired hip. Usually, you will not be allowed to return home until you can confidently go up and down the stairs. You may be surprised how quickly you are out of bed and moving around, but this is actually an important part of your recovery. In most cases, patients can avoid complications associated with hip fracture surgery by walking as soon as possible.

Transition Care

When you return home from surgery, there are still many activities you won’t be able to do on your own. During this time, transition care provided by an in-home caregiver can be helpful, especially if your loved ones must work during the day. An in-home caregiver can help with everything from personal hygiene needs to cooking and light housework. A transitional caregiver can also be present to help you stick to the recovery plan recommended by your surgeon, including getting up and walking around at regular intervals. You won’t be able to sit for longer than 45 minutes without getting up and moving. A physical therapist may also come and visit you in your home during this time.

Return to Normal Activities

The rate at which patients can return to their normal activities varies. If you work an office job, you may return to work within six to eight weeks of surgery. You may not be able to return to physically demanding activities until three to six months after your procedure. Your surgeon will carefully monitor your recovery and advise you when you can resume your activities.

If you’re providing in-home care for a loved one in Memphis, then you already know how challenging it is to get everything done and still be able to provide the companionship your loved one needs. If you aren’t quite ready to switch to full-time assisted living services, then short-term in-home care could be right for your family. Short-term elder care is known as respite care.

Watch this video to find out more about caregiver burnout. The medical school student featured here explains that caregiver burnout may be indicated by physical symptoms such as insomnia, frequent illnesses, and fatigue, as well as mental and emotional signs such as mood swings, irritability, and changes in temperament. Since being a caregiver leaves little time to care for your own needs, it’s advisable to seek respite care services before you become in dire need of them.

For more than 20 years, Caring Companions has provided compassionate in-home care for families in Memphis. As a caregiver agency that is rooted in faith, our associates are particularly dedicated to serving others; in fact, we view it as our ministry. Our assisted living services encompass all non-medical needs that our clients may need, including personal hygiene care, ambulation, transportation assistance, medication reminders, incidental housekeeping, and specialized dementia care.

Our suite of elder care services only tell part of the story of who we are. The professionals of Caring Companions have a keen understanding of the unexpected turns that life can take. We’ll be there for your family during the most difficult of times—from the diagnosis of serious illnesses to end of life care when the time has come. It’s our mission to help individuals live independently, with grace and dignity, but it’s also our mission to guide whole families through transitional times.

The families of loved ones who are terminally ill already know all too well that the grieving process begins before the death occurs. But anticipatory grief is not as widely acknowledged and so families may not take the time that they need to acknowledge their own emotional needs. It’s important for families to reach out for help when needed. A caregiver agency near Memphis can provide in-home hospice care to help families focus on their emotional and spiritual needs.

Understanding Anticipatory Grief

Anticipatory grief shares many of the same characteristics as grief after a loved one has passed. Some individuals describe feeling as though they’re losing their minds or can no longer think clearly. Anticipatory grief encompasses anger, sadness, loneliness, depression, and guilt. It can also bring feelings of fear, fatigue, and emotional numbness. It’s important to understand that there is no “normal” way to grieve for someone who hasn’t yet passed on; everyone will have a different experience. It’s not uncommon for individuals to imagine what life will be like after the death; some may go as far as to imagine what they will do with the person’s possessions or with the family home. These thoughts should not be interpreted as indicating callousness. They are simply the mind’s way of trying to cope with an unimaginable situation.

Identifying End of Life Services

During such a difficult time, your family needs elder care services more than ever. At this stage, these services are known as end of life care or hospice care. While many individuals feel that they ought to provide all of the care themselves, this is often not practical and it can detract from the process of saying goodbye to the dying family member. Instead, hire a hospice caregiver to provide services such as personal hygiene tasks and light housekeeping. You owe it to yourself to give yourself a break.

Saying Goodbye Without Regrets

Ask yourself if you will have any regrets when your loved one is gone. Many people regret never truly saying goodbye or making amends for past conflicts. When the dying person is a parent, many adult children regret never reassuring him or her that they will take care of the surviving spouse. Spend time with your loved one in quiet reflection, share treasured memories, and say goodbye without regrets.

The team at Caring Companions has been caring for elders in Memphis and the surrounding areas for more than 14 years. Our mission is to improve quality of life for the families that we work with. The work that we do is much more than a job; our caregivers view elder care as a ministry of service to others.

When you watch this video, you’ll hear from Renee Smith, the owner of Caring Companions, who explains our respite care services available to family caregivers. You’ll also hear from one of our in-home caregivers and from a family who is receiving services. Our in-home care services provide so much more than just practical assistance; they also offer loving kindness and companionship.

When your senior loved one requires assistance after an illness or medical procedure, the stress of making decisions and planning for their needs can be difficult for your family. When deciding on transitional senior care services serving Memphis, there are a few things you can do to help the planning process go smoothly among your family members.

Begin preparing and reach a decision as quickly as possible.

Starting the planning process early is one of the best things that you can do to make the transition to in-home care less stressful for all involved. If your family members are in disagreement about the best strategy for providing your senior loved one with help, starting early and working continuously to make a decision is ideal. Once you realize that your loved one may need help at home, begin the discussion and talk with your family until you can reach a conclusion. Doing this can help you avoid being left without a plan or many options once your loved one is ready to come home.

Explain to your family that change is necessary.

In many cases, families disagree about assisted living options because they dislike the idea of someone that they don’t know caring for their loved one. Making it clear to everyone why your loved one needs help and why you and other family members might not be able to provide her with everything that she needs during this period can help those in disagreement gain a better understanding of the situation.

Compare the benefits of different transitional care plans.

There are many types of elder care programs available, and choosing the one best suited for your loved one can be challenging. First, speak with the senior to determine how she feels about having assistance at home. Next, talk to her doctors to learn what she will require help with during her recovery time. Once you know what needs will have to be addressed, you and your family can discuss transitional care plans with a better understanding of what support your loved one requires during this critical time.

After surviving a stroke, your family member may require in-home care as she recovers. If you’re planning on acting as a caregiver in Memphis for a recuperating loved one, you may be wondering what you should do to make your home safer.

During your loved one’s stroke recovery, it’s essential to examine your home for any obstacles that may cause her to trip and fall, such as end tables and area rugs. Make rooms and hallways as navigable as possible, leaving little room for injury. Next, consider installing grab bars in your showers and tubs. Combined with non-slip bath mats, these safety features can help prevent dangerous slips.

Additionally, speak with your loved one’s doctor about what changes he suggests, and consult an occupational therapist for recommendations. Finally, consider talking to an assisted living agency regarding the alterations that you should make. These establishments frequently offer transitional and elder care services and are familiar with what home modifications are needed for recovering patients.

If you have learned that your spouse has a life-threatening disease, you may be wondering what to do next and how to talk about terminally ill caregiving near Memphis . Discovering that your spouse has a terminal illness will mark the beginning of a powerfully emotional process for both of you. Talking about end-of-life care is often difficult to do, but is an essential part of the hospice care process.

Reach Acceptance

After first learning about your spouse’s illness, you may both find yourselves in denial and experience difficulty accepting the situation. Some people react by ignoring the news for a while, and others jump into action, seeking out potential cures and experimental treatments. Procedures and medications can sometimes provide a respite for you and your loved one to enjoy more time together, but your loved one’s condition may become terminal, and their passing will draw nearer. At this point, there are several things you can do to make the time your spouse has left more comfortable.

Share Emotions

You will both be dealing with many feelings and reactions throughout your loved one’s illness. Allow for each of you to speak with each other, family members, medical professionals, and counselors as needed. It’s also important to make time to express your care for your spouse, offer any necessary forgiveness or apology, and to say goodbye.

Discuss Death

Talking about death is difficult for most people, and your loved one may resist this conversation initially. This is also the time to discuss practical matters, such as living wills, do-not-resuscitate orders, and health care power of attorney. Depending on your spouse’s illness, hospice services may be beneficial for both of you. Talk to hospice workers to learn if this type of care is right for your spouse’s situation. Additionally, ask your loved one what they need and want at this stage, and learn how you can make his or her passing as comfortable as possible.

Caring for a senior loved one can be a rewarding, but challenging responsibility. If you are caring for an aging loved one, you may benefit from senior assisted living services in Memphis. As a caregiver, it’s vital to be aware of your limits. Caring for a senior family member requires significant time and effort, and can be both physically and emotionally draining. Luckily, there are many places that caregivers can turn to for support.

If you find yourself struggling with an aspect of your caregiving responsibilities, talk to your friends and family members. Also, your church or place of worship, therapists and counselors, and national caregiver associations are valuable resources to turn to for advice.

When you need more time to take care of yourself or your family, it’s important that you don’t hesitate to ask for help. Speak with other family members about how they can contribute, and consider hiring an in-home caregiver for assistance. Other options include respite care, assisted living communities, and elder care services. Remember that asking for help can improve the quality of life for both you and your loved one.