Many of us dream of growing older in the comfort of our own homes, surrounded by the familiar faces and cherished memories of our family. For seniors, this desire often grows even stronger. It’s not just about the house itself, but the sense of belonging and continuity that comes with staying in a place where life has unfolded.
The Heart of Home: Staying Close to Family
For many seniors, the idea of leaving their cherished home can be deeply upsetting. Their home is more than just a building; it's a treasure trove of memories, a place of comfort, and a constant connection to their loved ones. The thought of moving away from family and familiar routines can feel like a loss of independence and identity.
Thankfully, there are many ways to support a parent or spouse who wishes to remain at home. With the right planning and support, aging in place, surrounded by family, is often a very achievable goal.
What "Staying Home" Really Means
When a loved one expresses a desire to stay home, it often encompasses several important aspects:
- Familiar Surroundings: Being in their own bed, using their own kitchen, and relaxing in their own garden.
- Routines and Habits: Maintaining daily schedules and activities that bring them comfort and joy.
- Proximity to Loved Ones: Being close to family members who can visit regularly, share meals, and offer companionship.
- Independence: The ability to make choices about their daily life within a secure and supportive environment.
Home care services are designed to support these very needs, bringing professional, compassionate help directly to your loved one's doorstep.
How Home Care Keeps Families Connected
One of the greatest benefits of home care is how it strengthens family bonds. When professional caregivers handle daily tasks, it frees up family members to simply be a son, daughter, or spouse again, rather than a full-time caregiver.
- More Quality Time: Instead of focusing on chores or personal care, family members can enjoy meaningful conversations, share hobbies, or simply be present.
- Reduced Family Stress: The pressure of balancing personal life, work, and caregiving can be immense. Home care provides a vital relief, reducing burnout and allowing family relationships to thrive.
- Personalised Support: Caregivers can assist with everything from meal preparation and light housekeeping to personal care and medication reminders, ensuring your loved one's needs are met with dignity and respect.
- Companionship: Beyond physical help, a caregiver offers valuable companionship, reducing feelings of loneliness and isolation, especially when family can't always be there.
Navigating Support in Alberta
Alberta offers various options for seniors needing care. It's helpful to understand the landscape:
Understanding Client-Directed Home Care. A home care case manager with Assisted Living Alberta (formerly AHS Home Care) assesses your loved one's needs and approves their home care hours. If your loved one is approved for the Client Directed Home Care Invoicing (CDHCI) program, your family chooses which registered CDHCI provider, such as #1 Right Care, delivers those hours. The provider invoices Alberta Blue Cross directly for the approved hours it delivers, so your family is not invoiced for them. This allows families more control over their care choices.
Call us first at 587.443.1888, any time, and we'll explain what to ask for. Then your family requests the assessment from your area's home care intake line: Edmonton 780-496-1300; Calgary 403-943-1920 (toll-free 1-888-943-1920); Red Deer and central Alberta 1-855-371-4122; Lethbridge 403-388-6380 (toll-free 1-866-388-6380). You can refer yourselves; no doctor's referral is needed. For general health advice, you can also call Health Link at 811. They can provide guidance on health concerns and direct you to appropriate resources.
Important Considerations for Home Care
Choosing home care is a significant decision. Here are a few practical points to consider:
- Assessing Needs: Honestly evaluate what kind of help your loved one truly needs. Is it companionship, personal care, meal preparation, or something else?
- Open Communication: Have an open and honest conversation with your loved one and other family members about their wishes and the available options.
- Safety First: Ensure the home environment is safe and accessible. Walk through the home together and look for loose rugs, poor lighting and hard-to-reach items.
Urgent Concerns. This information is general guidance, not medical advice. If you have immediate health concerns for your loved one, please contact their doctor, Health Link at 811, or in an emergency, call 911 immediately.
How #1 Right Care Supports Your Family's Wish
At #1 Right Care, we understand the deep desire to keep loved ones at home, surrounded by family. We are a locally owned home care agency serving Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer, and Lethbridge, committed to making this a reality:
- We match caregivers by hand to your loved one's personality, schedule and needs, and if the fit isn't right, we re-match at no extra cost.
- We match caregivers by language where we can. Our caregivers speak many languages, including Tagalog, Punjabi, Hindi, Spanish, Arabic and French.
- Our phones are answered 24/7, and a coordinator calls you back within the hour, day or night, because needs can arise quickly.
- We offer direct billing to Alberta Blue Cross for approved CDHCI hours, simplifying the process for families using this Alberta home care program.
Our goal is to provide the support that helps your family stay connected, ensuring your loved one can enjoy the comfort and familiarity of their own home for as long as possible.
Not sure where to start?
Call us at 587.443.1888, any time. We'll listen and help you understand your options: how approved CDHCI hours work, and private care, on its own or on top of approved hours, with a written quote before any care starts.
This article is general information for Alberta families, not medical advice. For health advice call Health Link at 811; in an emergency call 911. #1 Right Care provides home care across Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer, and Lethbridge.
