Your dad’s goal has always been to remain independent, but his battle against cancer’s taken a lot out of him. He’s not sleeping through the night, he’s often sick and can’t get to the bathroom on time. He’s weak and struggles with mobility.
Those are a few situations where around-the-clock care aides are a big help. If he has dementia or a painful condition like gout, he’ll want to have someone with him day and night. How can you make sure he’s supported while aging at home? Have you talked to him about 24-hour home care services?
His Caregivers Are There During the Middle of the Night
You may want to help your dad as much as you can, but you still work outside of the home. You have to be in the office at 8 a.m., and you need your sleep. If you’re up all night helping your dad, you’re driving while exhausted and unable to do your job well.
Caregivers can support your dad during the night when you need to sleep. You don’t have to keep calling in or trying to work from home when you’re exhausted.
He’s Supported Physically and Emotionally
One of the things your dad should realize is that with 24-hour home care, his team of caregivers is there throughout the day and night. If he wakes at 3 a.m. and can’t get back to sleep, he has someone to talk to. He won’t be alone and feeling lonely for several hours waiting for someone to show up.
Suppose your dad wakes up and doesn’t feel well. With a nighttime caregiver in the home, he has someone else to rely on. If he is ill and needs to see a doctor, his caregiver can make calls and arrange whatever he needs.
Your dad may feel drained by his cancer treatments or experience severe pain when gout flares up. Getting to the bathroom takes a lot out of him, but he can’t skip a middle-of-the-night trip to the bathroom if it’s necessary. Instead of struggling and risking a fall, he has a caregiver go help him with ambulation.
He Has What He Needs and Never Has to Struggle
If it’s 2 a.m. and your dad would love a cup of tea, but he can’t make it by himself. He doesn’t want to wait. With caregivers available all night, he won’t have to wait for his daytime caregiver to arrive.
Maybe he has diabetes and wakes up and feels that his sugar levels are low. His caregiver is there to get him his supplies and make sure he has a snack to get them balanced again.
Is it time for 24-hour home care services? Don’t keep putting it off. Your dad’s safety depends on having the support he needs while aging at home. Call a home care agency to get started.