Seeing someone’s health shift drastically is an overwhelming, emotional experience. At Ideal Home Care Services, our caregivers and private duty nurses in Long Island provide competent, compassionate support you can trust. Here, we discuss steps to take if your loved one’s home care needs suddenly increase and how private duty nursing can take the weight off your shoulders.
Take a Step Back and Assess the Situation
When care needs escalate, you may feel a sense of urgency and make rash decisions that aren’t necessarily the best solution for your loved one. This can lead to added stress, so take a breath, and assess the situation to get a clear picture of what’s going on before making any decisions. What’s changed recently? Are these changes temporary or long-term? What does your loved one need that wasn’t needed before?
Things like mobility issues, changes in hygiene, worsening chronic conditions, trouble with managing medications, and increased confusion or wandering are all red flags that the level of care may need to increase.
If you’re unsure of what to do, having a professional assessment by a home health care professional can help you formulate a plan. Our team works with you to fully understand medical needs, personal preferences, and schedules. Once we have a clear understanding of the circumstances, our experienced aides and skilled nurses create a plan that fits your specific needs for home care and private duty nursing on Long island.
Talk with Your Loved One
It can be challenging to bring up a loved one’s care needs, especially if they’re resistant to the idea of getting outside help. However, it’s vital to have an open conversation about what will keep them safe, healthy, and supported. Make sure to frame the conversation around your love and concern for them and ask them what they think about it. For example, after a fall, you may want to say,
“I’m concerned about you getting hurt again and want to make sure you’re safe and comfortable.” It’s time to talk about bringing in a private duty nurse to help. What are your thoughts about this?”
Talking to your loved one about what they want might surprise you – many people feel relief when they realize they don’t have to struggle alone. Being involved these decisions also helps them keep a sense of independence.
Explore Home Care Options
When the need for care escalates, it doesn’t automatically mean moving into a nursing home or assisted living facility. We offer a range of medical and non-medical home care services and solutions, including physical therapy, skilled nursing, and homemaker services.
You want to find a reputable home care company that has experience with your loved one’s specific needs. Our skilled private duty nurses provide personalized attention and compassionate one-on-one home care and can perform tasks such as:
- Administering medications
- Assisting with gastric tube feeding, catheters, oxygen, and other specialized medical equipment
- Managing chronic conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes
- Post-surgical support and wound care
- Monitoring and tracking a patient’s condition
Our private duty nurses and caregivers are committed to developing relationships built on trust and provide consistent care that takes your needs and preferences into account. Continuity of care can make it easier for your loved one and family to adjust to the changes that occur when care needs significantly escalate. Knowing they are safe and well cared for at home can give you peace of mind as well. You don’t have to do it all alone – with the right support services, you and your family can navigate this next chapter with grace and compassion.
Learn More about Private Duty Nursing in Long Island
At Ideal Home Care Services, we care about our clients and are dedicated to helping them live their best lives. For more information about private duty nurses in Long Island and other services we offer, contact us or call 631-509-5600 today.