For those of us living with a debilitating condition, there can be no place as safe and comfortable as our own home. And when it comes to chronic care management, the right support can often be the difference between being able to stay there, in beloved and familiar surroundings, or having to relocate to a facility. When a higher level of care can’t be provided by a family member, a professional care provider like FirstLight Home Care can step in, ensuring that you or your loved one can continue living a happy and fulfilling life at home.
What Is a Chronic Condition?
Chronic diseases are generally defined as conditions that limit your ability to go about your daily life, require ongoing treatment or medication and last for a year or longer. It’s estimated that around half of the adult population of the United States suffers from some kind of chronic condition. While some conditions or disabilities might progress gradually, others may happen suddenly or be present from birth. Whichever the case, good care management is essential for maintaining a patient’s quality of life, and where the condition is likely to worsen over time, can sometimes even slow the degeneration process.
Some examples of chronic conditions include heart disease, COPD, cancer, dementia and hypertension. Arthritis, high cholesterol, depression and obesity also fall into this category, and all of these diagnoses may require extra assistance while managing care and recovery.
How Can a Home Caregiver Help With Chronic Conditions?
In many cases of chronic illness, it can be difficult for those affected to look after themselves. The combination of pain and advanced age may impact mobility, making it harder for people to carry out daily tasks like dressing, bathing or moving around the house. In this instance, having someone to help can not only help keep them comfortable, but is essential for maintaining personal safety and hygiene.
An in-home caregiver from FirstLight Home Care can help keep your loved one safe with a disability home care plan, designed to help patients and their families manage this challenging time in a way that’s best for everyone. Though each care plan is different, some of the most common conditions we assist with include:
Parkinson’s In managing Parkinson’s and other neurological conditions such as ALS or Multiple Sclerosis, a caregiver can assist with mobility, personal care and medication reminders, as well as housekeeping and daily tasks that have become difficult or painful. The right chronic care management can go a long way to slowing the progression of Parkinson’s, so having an expert in your corner can make a huge difference to your loved one’s quality of life.
Dementia and Alzheimer’s Cognitive degeneration is often characterized by confusion, memory loss and paranoia. It can be distressing to see these signs in a loved one, and we often worry if we have to leave them on their own. With FirstLight Home Care’s dementia care, you can rest easy knowing that a professional caregiver is always there to keep them company and ensure they remain safe and sound.
Rehabilitation Periods When your care needs are temporary, usually following injury, illness or major surgery, our home recovery care plans can incorporate all our personal care services, as well as mobility assistance, housekeeping, transport and help with prescribed exercise therapies. This kind of assistance can not only provide company and alleviate frustration and boredom but can also drastically reduce the chances of relapse or readmission.
Other Benefits of Private Home Care
It’s not just your loved one who can benefit from having a professional caregiver. If you want to be the one to look after your loved one, but struggle to fit everything in, we can take over household tasks such as shopping and light housework, so you’re free to concentrate on looking after your loved one.
We can also step in when you need a break. As care providers ourselves, we know how important it is that you remember to look after yourself. When you need time for your other responsibilities, or you just need a vacation, we offer respite care so you’re free to concentrate on you. We’ll care for your loved one as if they were one of our own, taking on all your usual duties until you get back, refreshed, recharged and ready to carry on.
At FirstLight Home Care, We Help You to Help Your Loved Ones
When it comes to caring for a loved one, we know you’ll do whatever it takes to ensure they are comfortable, safe and happy at home. If you can’t always be there for them yourself, a professional caregiver will take the time to get to know your loved one and help them live their fullest life, every day.
If you’d like to know more about how FirstLight Home Care can put together and implement a chronic care management plan for your family, talk to our friendly team and we’ll match you with your ideal caregiver today.