When a Connecticut loved one you help provide care for lives with a chronic illness, maintaining their safety and their independence are important.
Most health care professionals advise caregivers that doing too much for someone with a chronic illness can adversely affect their ability to continue to provide for themselves in other areas of their life. In essence the tasks you do for them unnecessarily, the more you take away from them.
For family members, that is often difficult advice to accept and a tough balance to find. That is why it often benefits those with a chronic illness or disability to find experienced companions and homemakers who know how to support limitations in ways that still allow the client to remain independent. That helps to improve both quality of life and in-home safety.
Services Provided by Companions and Homemakers in Connecticut
For in-home care agencies like ours, the services of a companion or homemaker are among the most requested. Family caregivers recognize that having this support delivered to their loved one at home can help them maintain a safe environment and enjoy a higher standard of living.
The typical support available from homemakers and companions includes:
- Meal Support – Homemakers can help with everything from meal planning to grocery shopping and meal preparation. Clients can do as much as they are able to do with the support of a homemaker to safely bridge the gap.
- Transportation – A companion can provide transportation to physician appointments, the pharmacy, the grocery store or to run any necessary errands. If the client also needs an escort to help them safely navigate around the grocery store or pharmacy, the companion can fill that role. These services help clients maintain a feeling of connectedness with their community.
- Personal Care – For many people living with a chronic illness or disability, performing personal care tasks becomes more difficult. So difficult that the older adult is sometimes forced to move to an assisted living community. But with the help of companions and homemakers, personal care can often be managed at home.
- Socialization – Health care researchers are increasingly considering isolation to be a health risk factor. It can lead to high blood pressure, depression and more. Homemaker and companions can help those living with a disability from becoming lonely and isolated by providing routine socialization. It might be to take a walk a few times a week, play cards, write letters or more.
If you would like help customizing a plan for independence for your Connecticut loved one with a disability or chronic illness, please call us at 203.634.8668. Our experienced professionals will be happy to offer support and guidance.
