Manage long-term illness with in-home care.
Did you ever get up in the morning and realize, as soon as you got out of bed, that it was going to be “one of those days?” Maybe you slept through your alarm, tripped over the dog, and then remembered you were out of coffee. These small inconveniences, however, pale in comparison to what over half of all adults in the United States are facing daily: life with a long-term illness or chronic health condition.
Whether it’s diabetes, cancer, heart disease, dementia, or any one of a great many other serious and debilitating health issues, simply getting through everyday activities can be a struggle. And unsurprisingly, these challenges can make it tough to maintain a positive outlook on life.
Absolute Companion Care’s award-winning care team is able to assist in both of these areas. We provide hands-on support with the daily tasks that can become overwhelming, together with emotional support.
Making Activities of Daily Living Easier to Manage
Think through your own daily routine when you’re at home:
- A morning shower
- Cooking breakfast
- Making the bed
- Sorting and taking care of laundry
- Cleaning the house
- Fixing lunch
- Paying bills
- Running to the grocery store as well as other errands
- Organizing a closet
- Planning and making dinner
- Cleaning up again!
- Preparing for bed
Now imagine attempting to accomplish all of those tasks while impacted by the side effects of chemotherapy; or while pulling around an oxygen tank; or in the midst of cognitive decline. An in-home caregiver can help with these as well as other mundane but necessary tasks, freeing up time and energy for the older adult to relax and engage in enjoyable pastimes.
Lifting an Older Adult’s Spirits
It’s extremely common for an individual battling a chronic health concern to struggle to maintain a life of joy and to fend off depression. Our caregivers provide cheerful companionship that lets older adults know they truly are cared for. Through conversations, exercise programs, engaging in interests and hobbies, and simply being there to listen when life feels discouraging, a caregiving companion brings a breath of fresh air into everyday living.
The following tips also can help someone with a long-term illness to feel hopeful and positive:
- Find a sense of purpose. Having purpose in life is crucial to our wellbeing. It is a matter of helping a senior discover what she or he is passionate about and pursuing that interest. Get creative in brainstorming ideas or techniques to make life more meaningful: learning something new, serving others, creating a video to capture his / her family history or life lessons to pass along to a future generation.
- Find reasons to be grateful. A very easy but effective way to enhance positivity is through journaling. Encourage the senior to start off every day by listing a number of things she or he is grateful for: the scent of fresh blueberry muffins baking, the beauty of the sunrise, a planned lunch date with a friend.
- Find activities outside the home. If at all possible, help the senior enjoy life away from home: a nail or hair appointment, a shopping trip, a visit with relatives and friends. Even a short walk or time spent on the front porch can be beneficial.
Learn More Ways Home Care Can Help
For additional tips that can help a loved one with a long-term illness or chronic health concern, reach out to the leader in award-winning home care agencies in Baltimore, MD, Absolute Companion Care, at 410-357-9640. We would also love to come and meet with you in the comfort of your home to talk about more ways that our caregivers can make each day the very best it can be for older adults at home. For a full list of all of the communities we serve, please visit our Service Area page.