Home Care: Ways To Make Remote Family Members Part Of Daily Activities

Many families are torn when it comes time to place an elderly family member in the hands of a 24-hour home care aide. Naturally, a family member can provide the highest level of comfort and security. Yet, inevitably, the day comes when the family requires assistance to ensure the highest standard of care for the loved one. 

The following are ways a live-in aide can provide regular contact and continuity with the family while providing daily activities that provide emotional and psychological comfort. 

Walking Down Memory Lane With Reminiscence Therapy 

When an active contributor to one's family and community becomes bedridden, he or she can struggle with feelings of low self-worth while searching for new meaning and purpose. Reminiscing is a way to remember and validate the important role the person played in the lives of others. Walks down memory lane through photos can be therapeutic while reminding your loved one of her or his many valuable contributions to the lives of others. 

Caregivers have developed many creative ways to use reminiscence therapy to improve the memory, mood, and cognition of elderly patients. The relaxing activity even helps home care aids suffering from fatigue by providing psychosocial support. In this way, your loved one also plays a therapeutic role. 

Videoconferencing With Loved Ones

With videoconferencing, the family can still play a significant role in a loved one's daily life. A high-quality video connection is like being in the same room with family and friends. Family members can spend quality time with the loved one throughout the day by videoconferencing. 

Short video chats will not be too tiring, and they are an ideal way to drop in throughout the day and check up on your loved one. If your loved one is too tired or feeble to chat, your familiar face and voice will be a constant source of comfort. 

Recording Personalized Auditory Entertainment 

Auditory entertainment is a source of relaxing entertainment that requires no effort other than listening. By taking the time to provide the 24-hour home care worker with personalized auditory content, you can supply many hours of pleasure and enjoyment. Some suggestions include: 

• recordings of your loved ones or family members playing music
• family members and friends reading audiobooks and favorite poems
• birds and other nature sounds from your garden or cottage 

Your home care aid will appreciate ideas for creative activities to fill the day while receiving support from the family.

To learn more about your options, contact a resource that offers 24-hour home care near you.