In this interview on Seniors Everyday by Gray Media, Amy Sharpe talks with Val from Caring Friends In-Home Care about National Care at Home Month and how to spot signs an aging parent needs help during holiday visits.
November is National Care at Home Month, a time to recognize the services that help people stay safe at home: hospice, home health and home care. It also comes right before the holidays, when many families see aging parents in person for the first time in months.
That makes it a good time to notice how a loved one is really doing, and to start a conversation about help before it’s urgent.
Three Kinds of Care at Home
- Hospice: comfort-focused care for people near the end of life, provided by a medical team.
- Home health: short-term medical care at home, like nursing or therapy, usually ordered by a doctor.
- Home care: non-medical help with everyday tasks. This is what Caring Friends In-Home Care provides.
Many families don’t learn the difference until they need one of these. Knowing it ahead of time makes the next step clearer.
Signs an Aging Parent Needs Help During Holiday Visits
- Is the house kept up the way it used to be?
- Is there fresh food in the fridge, and are meals getting made?
- Are mail, bills or medications piling up?
- Do they seem unsteady on their feet, or has there been a fall?
- Are bathing and grooming routines slipping?
- Do they seem lonely, or are they getting out less?
One of these alone may not mean much. A few together are worth a conversation.
Why Talking Early Is Easier
A conversation over coffee is very different from one in a hospital waiting room. When you talk early, your loved one has a say in what help looks like, and you have time to find the right fit. When something happens first, families often have to make big decisions fast and under stress.
You don’t need a full plan after one talk. Asking “What’s been getting harder?” is a good place to start.
How In-Home Care Can Help
Caring Friends caregivers help with everyday tasks like bathing, grooming, meal preparation, light housekeeping, errands and companionship. That support can help an older adult stay at home, and it lets family members spend the holidays being family instead of being the caregiver.
Home care isn’t the right fit for every family, and we’ll be honest with you if we’re not.
Getting Started
If you notice changes over the holidays, call our Lincoln office at (402) 207-1050 or use the Contact Us form on our website. A local supervisor can set up a free in-home visit to talk through what your loved one needs.
Not sure yet? Our free family guide, Is It Time for Help at Home?, walks through the signs.