Respite programs are designed for regular basis visits or as needed. It’s also worth noting that investing in respite care can benefit seniors by introducing new people to their lives. This keeps their minds sharp and stimulated with further information and discussion.
Providing short-term relief will enable family or primary caregivers to run much-needed errands. They’ll have the comfort of knowing their loved one is at home safely secure under the supervision of another guardian.
Respite care can also be called if the individual needs to attend a necessary appointment. If the primary caregiver is also called away, respite care can come in and bridge the gap.
Private and Professional Services Help With Holiday Planning
Putting up decorations is a chore for anyone, and can pose a dangerous activity. Some holiday services can help take some of the headaches away.
Helping put up and take down holiday lights, accessing storage to retrieve holiday items, and decorating around the house will keep the activity safe for all. Professionals can also ensure things are securely in place and do not cause fire or tripping hazards.
Depending on what senior errand services you reach out to, they may offer holiday wrapping for gifts. This season is often difficult for seniors.
Gift-Wrapping Services
They feel they can’t fully participate in activities due to some common conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and neuropathy. These symptoms limit their mobility in one (or both) of their hands. Some holiday services can alleviate this burden by ensuring they have beautifully presented gifts for their whole family
Household Management Eliminates Hazards in the Living Space
Daily organization of a parent’s home may fall by the wayside when health concerns arise. A senior errand service helps set up the living space, eliminate hazards, make the home handicap-accessible if needed. Also, they can ensure the home is secure with medical devices or alarms.
CAPS is Key
Another service that looks at the relationship between housing and healthcare is an individual who is a Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS). They know that seniors prefer to stay at home more than to move to an assisted living facility. Moreover, they understand design and building solutions to ensure that a senior is within safe their home’s comforts.
Financial Services Make Paying Bills Easy
Finances can be a lot to take on, especially when our loved ones start demonstrating a decline in cognitive ability. Luckily there are daily money managers, or DMM, that can help individuals with their household finances.
They manage various services on behalf of their clients. These could include:
- help with paying bills
- bookkeeping
- helping understand insurance claims
- running taxes or setting up inheritance and giving plans
DMM’s can range prices and services, but generally, you can expect to pay about 90 dollars an hour for their services. Some are more affordable by charging a monthly retainer.
Currently, there are no government-run institutions for DMM’s. An excellent place to start the search would be to contact the American Association of Daily Money Managers. This organization enforces standards and ethics that DMM’s must abide by for their services. The association also offers certificate programs, continuing education, and support.
Referrals can also be found from lawyers, accountants, or agencies. Before hiring someone, always verify employment with the Better Business Bureau. Your DMM will have sensitive information about you. Most importantly, you want to make sure that they’re compliant with all laws and regulations.
Technology Services Bridge the Gap
Technology is one industry that is ever-evolving and seems to have new advancements every month. It’s no wonder with the growth rate that conquering its level of intricacy is difficult for seniors. That’s why services can help bridge the technical gap and help seniors better understand it.
Technological services can help fix televisions and cellular devices. In addition, they help seniors understand how to access specific programs to better communicate with their loved ones. Other benefits include:
- retrieval of photos or videos
- assistance with navigating websites
- emails education and use
- accessing medical systems, such as my-chart
By teaching individuals how to use technology, they can be better equipped to talk with friends and family, purchase gifts or necessary items, and be in charge of their own health and budget. This, in turn, gives them autonomy, boosting their morale.
Choosing the Right Senior Errand Services for You
These services vary as much as their clients, but it’s for a good reason as it’s intended to accommodate requests as they’re given. Many errand services will check multiple boxes on this list; it just depends on what they offer.
All of the above exist in different forms and affiliate with numerous companies. Reaching out is the first step. Do you have a favorite errand service you have used for yourself or a loved one? We’d love to hear below in the comments about which one you chose and why!
