Allowing someone into the home of your loved one to help them with the care that they need as they get older and struggle to cope with some of those day to day tasks can be a difficult decision. But this is a choice that is becoming increasingly popular with families as they look into all of the different care options that are out there in an effort to find the most practical solution for their elderly relative. For many older people, especially those who have dementia, a change of routine and environment can be especially upsetting so live-in care offers a very real alternative.
One of the big questions that people ask about live-in care is just what can a live-in carer do for my loved one in terms of their mobility?
Out and about
A live-in carer will live in the home of your loved one, they will be able to help them with those day to day tasks that they are struggling with, this can be simple things like following a proper personal care routine every morning, getting dressed or simply preparing food. As our loved ones get older, they may also become a little more unsteady on their feet which can make keeping active difficult.
This is something that a live-in carer will certainly be able to help them with. If your loved one has a car that they no longer feel able to drive, then it is possible to arrange for the live-in carer to use this car. They will be able to take them to any important appointments that they may have for example doctor and dentist appointments.
For any elderly person who has been avoiding going out, whether this is in a car on visits, or simply for a little walk to the shops, having the support of an in-home care provider to take you places can be a real boost. Health permitting there is every chance that they will be able to get out of the house more often, knowing that there is someone with them in case they stumble, and this will add to their activity levels helping them to get a little more mobile over time.
Fitness is relative
Remember fitness is relative, if your loved one has mobility issues then they will be limited in how much, and what types of activity they can undertake. However, having someone around to assist them is likely to make them a little bit more mobile than they were before and this should help them to improve their overall fitness levels. Even the littlest of improvements could be a huge step for them.
In truth, there is a lot a live in carer can help with, and it’s important to remember that everyone’s situation is different so explore your options before you hire a live in carer to ensure that they know that you want to become more mobile and how you’d like to go about it.
