Debunking 6 Notorious Senior Home Care Myths

There comes a time in every senior’s life when they are faced with a difficult decision: should they leave their home and move to an assisted living facility or stay at their own family home and get help. Sometimes their loved ones are too busy with their careers, their children or they might live too far away meaning seniors cannot rely on their help at all times.

If your senior loved one is facing the same dilemma, perhaps you should both consider hiring a Beverly Hills home care expert? These trustworthy professionals offer various services meant to make seniors’ lives easier, safer and more enjoyable.

Of course, many seniors aren’t too keen on that idea either. Letting a stranger into your life and sharing some of the most embarrassing moments with them is intimidating to many seniors. However, much of these insecurities stem from myths notoriously perpetuated among the senior community, as well as their families.

Hiring a caregiver is a major decision, which is why you have to be familiar with the facts, not base your decision on the word of mouth. That is why, in this article, we are going to debunk a couple of notorious myths surrounding senior home care providers.

Hiring a Caregiver Equals Losing Your Independence

This is one of the most persistent senior home caregiver myths out there. Many seniors believe that being persuaded to hire a caregiver means their family believes that they cannot take care of themselves anymore. However, this is completely untrue.

There are many reasons to hire a caregiver that are not necessarily related to the senior’s health or mobility. In fact, if anything home care can actually give seniors more independence.

Home care services are tailored to fit the needs of the client. That means a caregiver can help you perform tasks that might put you at risks, such as cleaning up, preparing food, or transport. Some seniors even hire caregivers to keep them company, visit them once a week to check up on them, make sure they have everything just like a friend or a family member would do.

Hiring a Caregiver Involves Letting a Stranger into Your Home

Letting a complete stranger into your home and worse, into your life, is a scary thought. But the reality is that any reliable Beverly Hills home care agency like A Better Way at Home Care performs thorough background checks on all the caregivers we refer. This includes going through their working permits, citizenship, experience in caregiving, CPR card, criminal records, driver’s license and more.

You can rest assured that the caregiver we refer is a person whose genuine interest is to help you. We strive to create a perfect bond between the caregiver and the client, so both parties feel comfortable in each other’s presence.

Home Care Services are only for the Sick

Another myth you’ve likely already heard is that only very sick seniors or those with mobility issues need a caregiver. While most caregivers can meet the clinical care needs of the client, many seniors hire a caregiver for reasons already mentioned above, ranging from transportation to companionship. A caregiver can help you clean your home and avoid putting yourself at risk of slipping in the bathroom or falling off the stairs, for example. You shouldn’t question whether to hire a caregiver if your senior loved ones in good health. A caregiver will only ensure they stay in good health longer.

Caregivers Will Ruin Your Daily Routine

This is a reasonable concern many seniors have, but one that they soon realize was not grounded in reality. Caregivers are here to help seniors lead better lives, not dictate how they should live them. Their task is to adapt to your routine, and if you love having your family over for meatloaf every Saturday, a caregiver will help you prepare it, not make you abandon this tradition.

Home Care does not compare to Nursing Homes

Like we mentioned at the beginning, choosing between a nursing home and your own home can be challenging, but this is a personal choice that has nothing to do with the quality of service. What some might find beneficial about nursing homes, others may find limiting. Caregivers are trained to provide the same service as those employed at a nursing home, only in the comfort of your own home and according to your own schedule. If your senior loved one needs assistance 24/7, some caregivers even offer live-in home care services. This lets senior keep their familiar surroundings and still receive professional, full-time care.

Home Care is for Seniors Who Live Far Away from Their Families

Caring for a senior loved one can be a demanding and time-consuming task many family members cannot take on. In some cases, caring for a senior can be more demanding than caring for a child, which is why even families who live close to their senior loved ones choose to hire a caregiver to assist them. This will ensure that seniors’ needs are met and their family members have the time to relax, pursue a career, care for their children and be there for their seniors unburdened by duties they are unable to meet and without risking experiencing caregiver burnout.

Home Care is Too Expensive

Just like the service, the price of the home care system is highly flexible and depends on the individual needs of the client. If a client needs a caregiver only once or twice a week, the price will be adjusted accordingly. The price is also determined by how many hours the client needs and the type of care they receive.

Home Care is a Temporary Solution

This myth is likely fabricated by the same people who lead you to believe that long-term care is something offered exclusively at a nursing home. However, home care provides the same level of clinical and emotional support a nursing home does, with the added benefit of seniors being able to stay at their old family home rather than having to go through a major change in their surroundings.