Beginner's Guide to Home Care

Beginners Guide to
In-Home Health Care

Does your Loved One Need In-Home Health Care?
Is it time your loved one receives professional care in the
comfort of their own home?
Are you aware more than 65 million Americans are responsible for not only the demands of work, children and home are also caring for
someone who is aging, ill or disabled? For most, managing all of these tasks feels overwhelming and takes away from their personal enjoyment
of life. Because of this, family members and friends are experiencing what many understand as feeling “burnt out” – in a state of emotional,
physical and mental exhaustion. When families or friends are trying to provide an individual with more care they are able to handle, in-home
care is a viable option.
BENEFITS OF PRIVATE IN-HOME CARE
AVAILABLE AT ANY TIME OF DAY, EVERYDAY OF THE YEAR.
At times, you won’t be able to provide your loved one with the help they need. Relying on a professional in-home caregiver can provide your
loved one with the care they need 24-7, 365 days a year.
SUPPORTS DAILY LIVING ACTIVITIES
In-home care gives your loved one the personal care they need while preserving their quality of life and
dignity. With a personal in-home caregiver, your loved one may continue to bathe, groom and take
medications with assistance when needed.
ASSISTANCE WITH HOUSEHOLD CHORES
When aging, the struggle to keep up with household chores may become a burden. In-home care will
allow your loved one to keep their independence and receive assistance where they need it. We are
available to help with light housework, including laundry, vacuuming, cooking and cleaning the dishes.
SUPPORTS PERSONAL DIET AND NUTRITION
In-home care allows your loved one to maintain their independence while making sure they’re
getting all of the nutrition they need to stay as healthy as possible. With our caregivers, y
our loved one has the tools on hand to keep their diet on point.
Does Your Loved One Need In-Home Health Care?

Does your Loved One Need In-Home Health Care?
SKILLED NURSING AT HOME
The level of care may be adjusted according to the well-being of your loved one. When the time comes
for more advanced care, they have the ability to have a skilled nurse who is licensed, certi ed and
knowledgeable, care for them in their own home to meet their medical needs.
To us, caring for your loved one goes beyond surface level tasks. When we provide your loved one with in-home care, you’ll soon realize our
professional caregivers are great at what they do for one reason: They genuinely care! However, understanding your loved one may need a little
extra help at home can be confusing. To help you better understand if your loved one may bene t from our in-home care, ask yourself the
following:
Does my loved one…
Does Your Loved One Need In-Home Health Care?

Does your Loved One Need In-Home Health Care?
Mental
Overlook tasks that pose a safety concern?
Feel confused, forgetful or lost?
Miss appointments?
Struggle to buy food and/or pay bills?
Forget to take or mix up medications?
Emotional and Social
Feel depressed or lonely?
Feel stressed or frustrated?
Show less interest in activities they used to enjoy?
Avoid social interaction and people?
Medical and Physical
Have trouble maintaining their household?
Have trouble dressing, bathing, eating or walking?
Avoid social interaction and people?
Notice a change in eating habits?
Bruise easily or fall more often?
Need additionally personal care?
Need additional medical attention?
Need daily treatments, such as IV therapy or dialysis?
Use medical equipment, such as an oxygen tank?
Does your Loved One Need In-Home Health Care?

Does your Loved One Need In-Home Health Care?
Is it time you relieve yourself of the duties you’ve been
providing for your loved one?
There are many di erent signs your loved one may bene t from a caregiver in the comfort of their own home. Our goal is to provide your loved
one with the care and quality of life they deserve. At times it can be hard to put yourself in the position of being your loved one’s primary care
provider; let us help. If you, as a caregiver, are feeling any of the following, it may be time to discuss potential care plans with our caregivers:
As a caregiver, do you feel…
Anxious about facing another day with your loved one?
Angry about the situation at hand?
Exhausted with sleepless nights because of concerns about your loved one?
Physically and/or mentally drained?
Irritable?
Rushed because you don’t have much time for yourself?
Sad your loved one needs as much care as they do?
Uncomfortable caring for your loved one?
Defensive about your loved one’s condition around others?
If you have answered “yes” to any of these questions, it may be time for you to call the home health care professionals. To learn more about our
home health care services, feel free to set up a consultation online, or to give us a call at 239-249-8318.
We never would like to admit when we need help; if your parent needs help, the chances are that you don’t want to admit that either. But the
fact of the matter is, the older individuals get, the more likely they will need assistance. Loss of independence is a major factor in needing
home health care, but how do you really know if it’s time? Most often, family members will have to use their knowledge and pay attention to
whether or not their loved one is in need of home health care.
Does your Loved One Need In-Home Health Care?

Does your Loved One Need In-Home Health Care?
Signs Your Parent or Loved One Needs Home Health Care
#1 They start to forget important details.
Not all details are important, but if your loved one has started becoming much more forgetful than in the past, this could mean they need
assistance with a home health care aid. Individuals who are aging tend to have issues remembering important details, such as neglecting to
take medications, buying food, doing laundry or going to a doctor’s appointment. Let’s not forget to mention, forgetfulness tends to lead to
nancial issues as well. When someone becomes forgetful, missed payments on bills or forgetting to cancel an unneeded service can cause a
world of problems. So, if you’ve started to notice your parent becoming increasingly forgetful, it may be time to enroll them in health care
solutions.
#2 They struggle with easy and normal daily activities.
Your parent or loved one may nd home health care extremely bene cial if they have started to struggle with normal, day-to-day tasks. Simple
activities such as cleaning and cooking may start to be much more exhausting and frustrating than in the past. If they have become much more
time-consuming than they once were, it may be time to reach out to our home health care professionals in Naples for advice.
#3 They need medical assistance.
Does your loved one or parent need attention from medical professionals regularly? If so, this could be a sure sign they are in need of a home
health nurse or aid. The help of a medical assistant will give your parent or loved one the assistance needed to stay healthy by having
medications administered or oxygen tanks replaced. Furthermore, if your parent or loved one has suddenly lost the ability to obtain their
weight, have lost energy or seems ill, they may not have the adequate care they need to stay healthy on their own.
#4 They require help to maintain personal hygiene.
Many individuals who struggle to maintain their personal hygiene may need extra assistance compared to a health individual. If you notice that
your loved one or parent has started to lose control on their personal hygiene, it may be time to seek out professional health care for help.
When you hire a home health care assistance, nurse or aid, your loved one can rest assured that all of their hygiene issues will be put to rest.
We can help with any type of hygiene help, including bathing, using the toilet, applying deodorant, shaving, etc.
Does your Loved One Need In-Home Health Care?

Talking to Your Elderly Loved One About Home Health Care
When you realize that your elderly loved one may need in-home healthcare, it can be an overwhelming experience. You want to make sure your
loved one receives the level of care they need, but cannot provide it yourself. Whether they’ve experienced a bad fall or they have been
struggling to take their medication on time, you have a tough conversation ahead of you that you may be dreading. If your senior loved one is
resistant to change, you might anticipate that they won’t react well to this suggestion. However, it is worth the di culty to ensure that they get
the care that they need, and if you approach the conversation the right way, it doesn’t have to be extremely stressful. Here we will o er some
tips for making this conversation go as smoothly as possible.
Be Tactful
This conversation may be uncomfortable for you, but just imagine how your elderly loved one feels. It is incredibly vulnerable to admit that you
need help, and agreeing to home health care may simply feel like the next step towards the end of their lives. This is a sensitive subject, so it
needs to be approached with tact. Take some time to plan exactly what you want to say. Be speci c about what areas you think they need help
in — for example, they may need someone to remind them to take their medication, cook meals for them, or transport them to medical
appointments. It may be easier to have an open dialogue if you are speci c with your concerns.
Be Honest About Your Feelings
When you’re having this discussion, let your loved one know exactly how you are feeling about their health and safety. Your happiness is
important to them, and if they know that your worry about them is impacting your life, it may be what they need to hear to be more openminded
about the discussion.
Listen
You have their best interests at heart, but ultimately, the decision to hire an in-home health care worker impacts them more than you. They
are the one who will be interacting with this person on a daily basis, after all. Therefore, it is very important to let them voice their concerns
and to take them into serious consideration. Ask open-ended questions and listen to what they have to say. They should not feel coerced into
this important decision.
Compromise
If, after a long conversation, your loved one is still hesitant, you might need to present a compromise. Consider hiring someone on a trial basis
with the understanding that if your loved one still feels uncomfortable after a certain period of time, they can opt out of care. In most cases,
they will see how helpful their home health care aide is and will want to continue with the services, giving you peace of mind.
At Gulfshore Home Care, we understand that talking to your loved one about private duty nursing isn’t easy. We would be happy to help ease this
transition by providing your loved one with the compassionate care they need. Contact us today to learn more about our private duty nursing
and other home health care services!
Does your Loved One Need In-Home Health Care?

Home Care Helps Seniors Cope with Loss of Independence
For people in search of nursing or personal care for a loved one, home health care is the most viable and a ordable option for many. Gulfshore
Home Care is designed to preserve as much of our clients’ independence as possible and of course our services allow clients to remain
comfortable in their own homes. However, even aging in place with the help of caregivers triggers fears for many seniors.
A loss of independence is a fear many seniors have. When this fear is realized, there are several
ways caregivers need to help.
According to an AARP study conducted in 2012, 57% of seniors over age 70 do not nd it easy to live alone and need help with daily tasks. This
loss of independence can have a toll on senior’s psychological and physical well-being.
Most people begin to live and perform daily life tasks independently by the age of 20. About 50 years later, many nd that independence is no
longer safe or viable. The loss of independence seniors face can often result if grieving, frustration, and other emotional upset. Caregivers with
Gulfshore Home Care can help seniors by understanding the process.
Types of Independence Seniors May Lose
As seniors’ bodies and/or minds degenerate, they can experience a variety of types of losses. Their independence can be impacted in ways that
change their lifestyles and even their understanding of the world.
Does your Loved One Need In-Home Health Care?

Home Care Helps Seniors Cope with Loss of Independence ce
Some types of independence seniors may lose include:
Mobility
Ability to live alone
Memory
Comprehension/decision-making skills
Strength to perform daily tasks
Energy to clean or cook
Social life
Sight
Hearing
What to Make Accessible to Seniors with Mobility Limitations
TV remote or computer
A telephone
Basic contact sheet
A calendar or schedule
Reading or entertainment materials
Medication
Common Emotions Seniors May Experience
Loss of independence is an emotional experience for many seniors. They may experience and exhibit normal emotions like:
Denial
Irritability
Frustration
Anxiety
Guilt
Sadness
Does your Loved One Need In-Home Health Care?

Home Care Helps Seniors Cope with Loss of Independence
How to Help Seniors Cope with Increased Dependency
Relying on other people’s assistance for basic tasks like bathing or common activities like driving can be frightening and frustrating for seniors.
With the loss of independence, seniors also tend to lose some control over their schedule, freedom, preferences, and more. Caregivers can
help make decreased independence more bearable using strategies like these:
Maintain a Standard of Dignity
Requiring assistance with activities like bathing or shopping does not mean that seniors need to give up their dignity. Caregivers should always
guard seniors’ privacy. It is also wise to use the terms a senior does when referencing body parts, activities, or even hygiene products.
Ask Instead of Telling
Caregiving for someone who has lost a type of independence is a supportive role, not a leading role. Caregivers should ask seniors about their
preferences, needs, etc., instead of telling them. For example, if a senior cannot cook for themselves, a caregiver should ask for input for meal
planning.
Give Options for Caregiving
Since dependence requires trust and can be very personal in nature, it is important for seniors to have choices. Learn if a senior prefers samesex
caregivers, certain routines, etc.
Stay Organized and Consistent
Dependence means a loss of control. Seniors have to wait on others for assistance, which can be stressful. Caregivers should remain consistent
in their routine so that seniors don’t need to be anxious about when or how their care will be provided. Organize necessary materials so they
are accessible to seniors who cannot mobilize independently as well.
Home Care Tip:
Many seniors fear losing their independence more than they fear death. Realizing this fear can lead to depression in seniors. Know the
symptoms of depression and help seniors get medical care if they exhibit signs of this mental illness. Gulfshore Home Care caregivers are
skilled in helping our clients lead digni ed lifestyles no matter their levels of independence. If you think you and/or your loved one may bene t
from home health care services contact Gulfshore Home Care today to learn more.
Does your Loved One Need In-Home Health Care?

Home Care Helps Seniors Cope with Loss of Independence
How to Help Seniors Cope with Increased Dependency
Loss of Some Independence- Isn't loss of Full Indpendence
As important as it is for your parent to be independent, that does not mean they don’t need special care. However, that doesn’t mean you want
someone to wait on them hand and foot, discouraging them from being independent. That is when you need the type of home health care
worker who will understand your parent’s need for independence. At Gulfshore Home Care, we go the extra mile to ensure that your parent has
the quality home health care they need to maintain their health while still being their own person.
One of the strangest parts of your parents getting older is the element of role reversal. When you were young, they took care of you, making
sure that you were fed, clothed, and safe. Now that your parent is no longer able to fully take care of themselves, you must now step up. For
many adult children, this can be overwhelming, but it is also rewarding. However, just because you are caring for them, doesn’t mean that it
isn’t important for them to have independence. As your parent is more and more reliant on you, it is of even greater importance to them that
they have autonomy over their lives in some capacity. Independent seniors have richer, fuller, happier, and healthier lives than those who feel
completely dependent on their caregivers. It is crucial that you make a point to prioritize their independence so that they are healthy, both
mentally and physically. In this blog, we will explain exactly why it is so important for their health.
Mental Health
Imagine being your parent right now. They have lived as a fully self-reliant adult for years up until recently. Now, as they age, what was once
quite simple to do is much more di cult. They can’t rely on themselves to complete many tasks, and some of them might be as straightforward
as buttoning their own shirt. This feeling of being less capable of caring for themselves makes many seniors feel depressed, embarrassed, and
frustrated. They may feel like they are useless now, and for some seniors, these feelings of loss can translate to the desire to end their life.
With home care helping their independence, however, seniors are able to feel a sense of control over themselves and their lives. They are able
to maintain dignity and a sense of hope, which in turns, makes them more emotionally healthy and happier with their life.
Physical Health
A lack of full independence does not only impact the mental health of seniors, but also their physical health. The more dependent they are on
other people, the less likely seniors are to challenge themselves. They have low expectations of what they can do, and as a result, they don’t get
out there and participate in physical activity. This causes their physical health to decline. However, the more independent a senior can be with
home care, the more active they can be. We are at our most healthy when we are active, so by encouraging independence in your parent (while
under professional home care supervision), they will be better able to join in on physical activities.
Does your Loved One Need In-Home Health Care?

Home Care Helps Seniors Cope with Loss of Independence
Activities That Encourage Independence
There are many ways you can foster independence in your parent. There are many activities that they can do that will help them feel more
independent, such as:
Attending community events
Maintaining their own hygiene
Light household chores
Writing letters and emails
Making phone calls
Participating in a group tness class
Volunteering with a local community group
Going for walks with loved ones
Learning how to use a computer
Playing games, alone and with others
Joining a group tness class
Sometimes, your parent may hesitate to participate in these activities, or they may even at out refuse to try them. While this can be di cult
to deal with, this does not mean you should try to force them. This can actually back re and make them feel even less autonomous. Instead,
gently suggest these activities every so often, then allow them to decide for themselves. Once they do participate in independent behavior, most
seniors feel accomplished and are proud of themselves for taking the risk.
Does your Loved One Need In-Home Health Care?

Essential Qualities of an In-Home Caregiver
When you hire someone to provide your elderly loved one with in-home care, you want to do everything to ensure that they are the right match
for your needs. Even if they have the right quali cations, not everyone will have the right qualities to make them an excellent in-home health
aide for the elderly. In this blog, we will go over the qualities you should look for in an in-home health aide to make sure your loved one receives
the highest quality care.
Patience
Ideally, all healthcare providers should have a strong ability to be patient, but this is especially true when working with the elderly. Senior
patients may move slower, talk slower, and have di culty understanding or following a conversation. Confusion is a common problem for
elders, which can only exacerbate the feelings of isolation and loneliness. Additionally, an in-home health care worker must also be sensitive to
the needs of the family members of their patients. Some family members have a di cult time understanding exactly how much care is
required for their loved one, and a good in-home health aide will be able to patiently explain to them and help them navigate this new situation
with ease.
Compassion
Compassion is an essential quality for in-home health workers to master. For many senior citizens, accepting the fact that their life is coming
to an end and that they now must rely more on people is extremely di cult. Even if they do not require hospice care, as they age, more and
more medical concerns come to light. An in-home health care provider must be able to empathize with senior patients as they go through this
time of life. While your loved one may be unable to feed, clothe, or bathe themselves, that doesn’t mean that they don’t desire autonomy and
feel embarrassed that they require care. The right in-home health aide will know to approach these types of tasks with compassion so that
their patients can maintain their dignity and as much independence as possible.
Consistency
In-home caregivers need to be consistent and reliable if they are to care for the elderly. Particularly if your loved one has dementia, as seniors
can often become confused. It is therefore important that there is no ambiguity in their care. When an in-home health aide is consistent and
predictable, the patient can feel more secure and comfortable with them, which allows them to focus on their health rather than trying to
predict what their aide will do next. In particular, those who work with the elderly should be consistently positive so that the patient knows that
they can rely on them to keep their spirits up.
Creativity
In-home caregivers need to be able to think on their feet and get creative when working with the elderly. Meeting their needs and designing a
treatment plan means that a home health aide needs to be able to consider a patient’s personality and speci c needs to treat them the way
they need to be. A creative in-home caregiver can think through the needs of a patient and implement a successful, customized treatment
plan.
If you need help nding a home health aide who embodies all of these qualities, contact Gulfshore Home Care. Our compassionate caregivers
are experienced in elder care, and we do everything in our power to ensure that we connect you with one who can help your loved one receive
the quality care they deserve. Contact us today to learn more.
Does your Loved One Need In-Home Health Care?

How to Hire a Private Duty Nurse
If the time has come for you to hire a private duty nurse for your elderly parent, you might be experiencing a lot of emotions about it, including
anxiety. After all, it is a major decision that can have an impact on the wellbeing and happiness of your loved one, and potentially the whole
family. Therefore, you want to make an informed decision by collecting all the important knowledge beforehand. Here we have highlighted all
of the factors you need to consider before hiring a private duty nurse to care for your elderly parent.
What You Need from a Nurse
First of all, you need to gure out if a private duty nurse is actually necessary. Another type of caregiver might be appropriate for your parent’s
needs. Think about the skills necessary for your parent’s care. For example, if they are mostly independent, but need help with transportation
and could use some company, our companion care services might be more appropriate. On the other hand, if they have complex medical
needs, a private duty nurse is necessary. Other factors you might consider are how many years of experience you would prefer, the qualities
you want them to have, and if your parent has a preference for gender. This should serve to narrow your search signi cantly.
The Ideal Care Plan
On top of what type of caregiver you need, think about the type of care is required. When you start working with your private duty nursing, you
will come up with a written care plan to lay out what services and care will be provided to your parent based on their needs. You may need to
work with a doctor on this as well.
Determine the Schedule
The duration of care needed for each individual patient will vary, so you will want to decide how often and when you need a caregiver. Some will
need round-the-clock private duty nursing, while others may be able to get by with a caregiver who comes in a couple of times a week.
Determining the schedule you need will also narrow the search.
Set a Budget
Regardless of who is paying for your parent’s care, it’s important to set a budget. This is particularly important if multiple family members will
be involved in contributing to the cause. Work together to decide how much everyone is able to give, and make sure everyone involved
participates in the search. Because this nancial matter a ects everyone, it’s crucial that everyone goes into it with both eyes open.
With all of this information gured out, we can help connect you with the ideal private duty nurse for your parent’s needs. At Gulfshore Home
Care, we specialize in connecting families with the caregivers they need to ensure their elderly loved ones are properly cared for. We can work
with your parent’s needs, schedule, and budget so that you know you are connecting with the ideal private duty nurse. If you’re ready to start
the search, contact us today!
Does your Loved One Need In-Home Health Care?

Contact Gulfshore Home Care
Whether you are looking for a reliable nurse for di erent medical services, or a professional aide for personal care services, Gulfshore Home
care is here to help. Because every client’s needs and lifestyle are di erent, our in-home care team will provide services speci cally based on
your loved one’s condition and circumstances:
Elder Care
24-Hour Care
Respite Care
Companion Care
Hospital Discharge
Chronic Conditions Care
Dementia Care
Nursing Services
After Surgery Care
Personal Care
We are located in the areas of Naples, North Naples, Bonita Springs, Estero, Fort Myers, Fort Myers Beach, and Marco Island. Please do not
hesitate to give us a call at 239-249-8318
With our home health care in Collier and Lee Counties you will be able to live a happy, safe, and independent life. We invite you read more about
our services and about us. Every situation is unique, so to have all of your speci c questions answered with personalized information from a
friendly local home care expert, call 239-249-8318 now!
Does your Loved One Need In-Home Health Care?