What Does an In-Home Caregiver Do?

Your dad passed away about three months ago, and you’re beginning to realize just how much your mom depended on him.  

He did all the driving… now she rarely leaves her home.

He was the cook… now her most of her meals come out of the microwave.

He did the laundry… now she sometimes wears the same outfit day after day.

You know she needs help, but she doesn’t want to leave the home she shared with her husband for more than 60 years.

“This is a very common situation,” said Sierra Goetz, co-founder and operations director at the HomeCare Advocacy Network (HCAN). “It’s completely understandable that mom or dad wants to remain in the family home – especially after the loss of a spouse. Thankfully, they don’t always need to move to assisted living to get the help they need. Families now have options to help their aging loved ones live safely in their homes for as long as possible – including enlisting the help of a professional caregiver.”

Home Care Caregivers

In addition to providing the companionship many seniors crave, HCAN’s professional caregivers are thoroughly trained to help with a variety of non-medical, day-to-day tasks, including:

Light housekeeping – vacuuming, dusting, changing bed linens, laundry and clearing clutter. 

Meal preparation – grocery shopping and helping plan/prepare healthy, nutritious meals.

Medication reminders – assisting with medication management to ensure the right doses are taken at the right time.

Transportation – driving clients to and from appointments, errands, shopping, recreational activities and more.

Personal care – assisting with bathing, grooming, dressing and toileting.

Dementia care – allowing clients to remain in a familiar environment, instead of moving to a senior living community.

Customized Care Plans

“At HCAN, we work very closely with families to develop care plans that meet their senior loved ones’ unique needs,” Goetz said. “Whether it’s for a few hours a week or around-the-clock, we can help their loved ones age safely in their homes, while giving family members peace of mind.”

To learn more about our in-home services, visit hcanthrive.com or call your local HCAN-supported office.