Home Care NYC: Helping With Personal Care Tasks At Home

Millions of older Americans need help with daily tasks, like making meals or bathing. Many rely on a family member. Others depend on professional care services. Some use both. 

Personal care at home helps older adults remain in place longer. It provides them with independence and a good quality of life. If you’re now thinking about personal care for a loved one, we can help. Here, we’ll talk about: 

• What personal care is, and who provides it
• Who needs personal care
• Tips for helping a loved one with daily tasks
• When and how to work with professional home health aids

If you reside in New York, you have free access to Trualta for even more information about home care, personal care, and caregiving. If you live in another state, you can check if you also have free access to Trualta.

What Is Personal Care? 

Personal care is help with activities of daily living. Family caregivers often provide personal care. Professional caregivers also fill this role for older adults. People with chronic health conditions or disabilities may also need services. 

Basic Activities of Daily Living

Activities of daily living (ADL) are basic needs. Personal care services may include help with any of these ADLs: 

• Dressing
• Bathing 
• Grooming
• Toileting
• Eating
• Basic mobility

Instrumental Activities Of Daily Living

Personal care also often includes instrumental activities of daily living (IADL). IADLs help seniors and people with disabilities live more independently. Examples include: 

• Light housekeeping
• Errands
• Food preparation
• Shopping
• Social and community activities
• Exercise

What Personal Care Isn’t

Personal care usually doesn’t include any type of medical care or skilled nursing care. Personal care doesn’t require special training or medical knowledge. 

Professionals who can provide medical care may also help their patients with personal care. For example, a home health aide qualified to manage medications and report vital signs might also help a patient bathe and dress. 

Who Provides Personal Care? 

Anyone who is physically capable can do it. Family caregivers often help with personal care tasks. 

Families and individuals also often hire professionals from a home care agency for these tasks. A professional home health aide worker can fill in when family members are unavailable. They also offer respite care for the family.

Families may share this role with professional personal care aides. This allows the family more flexibility in their schedules. 

Home health aides who provide basic medical care often also perform tasks of daily living. Nurses and other more skilled health care workers typically don’t provide personal care. 

Who Needs Personal Home Care? 

Many people need and benefit from personal home care. This includes many older adults. People of any age with chronic health conditions or disabilities may also need personal care. 

You or your loved one may find it difficult to accept that they need help at home. Starting a conversation about it might be uncomfortable. However, there are many benefits to quality, loving care and home health aide services. 

• In-home care helps your loved one stay independent longer. It also delays the assisted living or nursing home transition. 
• Home care is often less expensive than residential care. 
• Help with personal tasks keeps your loved one safe. 
• Keeping older adults safer at home reduces the need for hospitalization. 
• Your loved one will enjoy a better quality of life with personal care. It allows them to be more active, stay independent, and enjoy activities. 

How To Help Your Loved One With Daily Living Tasks

Personal care is not professional work. Family members can do these tasks without training. According to statistics, 37.1 million people in the U.S. provide unpaid care for older adults. Most are family caregivers. 

Family caregivers typically provide personal care rather than medical care. If you’re just beginning your role as a caregiver, these tips can help you provide good care. 

Determine Their Needs

Talk to your loved one about the help they need. Don’t assume they do or don’t need help with a task. Ask questions and have a conversation about how they want you to help. Be clear and respectful in how you communicate about care. 

Respect Their Independence

It’s important to respect your loved one’s ability to choose the care they receive. You should also respect their independence as much as possible. Encourage them to do tasks they still can and want to do independently. Only help when needed and when they provide consent. 

Prioritize Safety

Helping a loved one stay independent is important. But safety should be a top priority in caregiving. Always keep safety in mind when making decisions about care tasks. 

If your loved one wants to bathe alone but it isn’t safe, discuss how you could provide minimal assistance to make it safer. Look around the home for safety hazards and minimize them when possible. For example, a rug might be a tripping hazard. The bathroom might need grab bars. 

Ask For Help When You Need It

Caregiving is a big responsibility. It can be overwhelming and stressful. Ask for help if you feel unable to meet all of your loved one’s needs. Get help from other family members or seek respite care from a professional. Take time for self-care. 

How To Find Professional Assistance With Personal Care

A professional home care provider is an option when family caregivers cannot provide care. Use a home health care agency in New York City or New York state to find a qualified home care aide. 

When To Use A New York City Or State Home Health Care Agency

There are many reasons you may need to turn to professional personal care services. For example: 

• You’re a family caregiver but need respite care. 
• Family members are often unavailable. They may be available but not for as many hours as your loved one needs. 
• Family members are uncomfortable helping with some of the tasks. 
• Safety is becoming an issue in the home. 
• Your loved one needs personal care and some medical or nursing care. 

How To Choose A Home Care Agency Senior Care Aide

New Yorkers can turn to the New York State Department of Health for a list of licensed and certified home care agencies. The site lists profiles for each qualified agency. You can search by name, type, and location. 

A good home health care agency will provide you with a qualified and appropriate professional to provide personal care. This includes nurses and personal care aides. You can ask for references and about background checks. Ask how they manage caregivers and what you can do if you are not happy with care services. 

Return to Trualta for additional caregiving information. If you reside in New York, you have free access to Trualta. If you live in another state, you can check if you also have free access to Trualta.

References

1. https://www.cms.gov/medicare-medicaid-coordination/fraud-prevention/medicaid-integrity-education/downloads/pcs-prevent-improperpayment-booklet.pdf
2. https://www.als.org/navigating-als/resources/fyi-different-types-home-care-workers
3. https://www.bls.gov/blog/2023/celebrating-national-family-caregivers-month-with-bls-data.htm