For most of us, our memories can struggle during our golden years, and that can affect how well we look after ourselves. This can range from forgetting to take daily medicines, eating healthy and engaging in our favourite activities, to having trouble getting out of bed or falling in the night. It can also be a time of loneliness and isolation.
If you or your loved one is struggling with their health and wellness, and your safety and well-being is in jeopardy, it's time to consider receiving help to maintain the best quality of life.
You'll have to take into consideration your personal, medical and non-medical needs and preferences to determine what works best for you and your situation.
And when the time comes to decide what type of care you'd like to receive, you don't have to explore your options alone.
At Nurse Next Door, it's about caring, not just health care. Their home care services are designed to give you access to the tailored support you need, offering a sense of independence, while still receiving the necessary support for daily living—all in the comfort of your home.
"You can book a complimentary caring consult at any time," says Wendy Scott, co-owner & director of care, Nurse Next Door Burnaby. "Our care manager comes to you. We assess your needs and answer any questions you have."
Advantages of home care over care centres
One of the greatest benefits of home care is the flexibility of choice. Nothing is set in stone and your care plan can adapt to your ever-changing needs.
"Some of the pros of staying in your own home is familiarity, maintaining your independence, your neighborhood, and your things around you—you know exactly where things are," explains Scott.
"You have spent years collecting items and personalizing your environment, and as soon as you are removed from it, especially seniors or somebody who has a chronic illness, your psyche immediately goes downhill."
Scott also notes one of the leading downsides of living in a care facility is being surrounded by people you don't know, with different care providers coming in and out of your room, and uncontrolled noise levels, all of which can be unsettling for a senior.
Additionally, she says, "Care facilities don't individualize meals, even though they provide a menu, most often it's very bland because they take into consideration many different people's allergies."
"You don't get a chance to cook, something you might love to do at home, and make your favourite breakfast, for example, or get to go to the grocery store, one of the things that we normalize ourselves with."
Personalized, one-on-one care is a significant benefit of Nurse Next Door’s home care, where you can thrive in Happier Aging™ activities, reconnecting with interests and hobbies you love, and maintaining your cherished routines. Alternatively, in care centres, caregivers may be overwhelmed with the number of residents they oversee, plus you can't be assured the staff interactions are positive and personable.
Pre-planning for future care
Since aging happens gradually, home care needs can often arise abruptly and unexpectedly. Your health may change or you could experience any number of losses: mobility, your driver's license, or a spouse. Don't wait for those challenges before putting a good plan in place. It's more prudent to make a proactive decision rather than a reactive one.
"Getting the information before you need it is really important," advises Scott. "Get to know us, you don't have to hire us, just don't wait for a crisis to act. Pre-planning is the best way to go."
Whether you need assistance with daily activities, post-operative care or just a friendly companion, Nurse Next Door Burnaby goes above and beyond to make life better for you.
"We are delivering care beyond just task orientation," says Scott.
With the right support and care solutions, you or your loved one may actually be able to live independently at home for even longer.
For more information on home care services and a complimentary caring consult, call 1-604-522-9989 or visit nursenextdoor.com.
