Benefits of 24-Hour Caretaker Services
Ask this question to 34-year-old Mahalakshmi Salve and she can talk for hours. Salve had an ailing mother-in-law at home and she despite being a homemaker was at her wit’s end.
“ It wasn’t that I didn’t want to take care of her, but being at her beck and call affected me physically and mentally as I had to put my family, my time and everything on the back burner.”
Salve represents a very common section of society where it is considered taboo to hire a caretaker to care for their ailing loved ones. Be it guilt, mistrust, or conditioning, a caretaker is generally missing on the list of things to do.
Doctors say that having a full-time caretaker can be a transformative experience for the ailing person. Psychologists consider them to be a source of security and reassurance for the patient. They also feel they tremendously relieve the physical and mental burden from the family.
Let’s explore the benefits of a 24-hour caretaker in detail
- The first undeniable advantage is consistent care which is important for the best treatment outcome. Consistency is crucial to set a fixed schedule that helps the patient fall into a comfortable routine especially if they are dealing with cognitive issues. It also helps the family members plan their day better.
- Second is undoubtedly the round-the-clock personal supervision the patient receives. This ensures that the patient is well taken care of in case of any emergencies and is safe and secured all the time. This provides a great sense of security and stability to the patient as well as the people around them.
- Third is specialized care. Family always believes that they can care for their loved one best but this may not be the case in terms of managing specific health conditions that require special care in terms of medications, diet, exercise, and catering to other unique needs. Having a trained caretaker around minimizes the chances of mishaps and readmissions to the hospital.
- A caretaker takes a considerable amount of burden off the family members allowing them to be more cheerful around the ailing loved one and spending quality time with them which matters most.
- Since there are fewer chances of accidents and relapses in treatment due to the consistent and personalized care provided by the caretaker, the family ends up spending a lesser amount of money on additional treatments.
However, it is important to choose the right type of caretaker who helps rather than adds to the owes of the family.
The Qualities to Look for in a Caregiver
- They must have empathy and compassion towards the patient.
- They should be clear communicators to understand the patient’s needs and convey their thoughts.
- They should be honest.
- Dedication to their work is a must-have and should not be constantly reminded of their duties.
- They should be physically and emotionally fit enough to handle the patient’s needs at all times in a proper way.
- They must be trained well and be vigilant to notice any changes in the patient’s behavior or health to take immediate action.
- Caring for a patient requires adaptability and flexibility. A good caretaker must have these qualities as different people may have different needs.
Salve was on the brink of a breakdown when she finally decided to hire a 24-hour caretaker for her mother-in-law and she was extremely glad she did.
“After the caretaker came in, I was finally able to revive my frailing bond with my mother-in-law and share many happy moments with her that will remain etched in my memory forever.
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BY: Sukino
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