As much as you’d like to be the one taking care of your parents when they most need you, life rarely plans it this way.

An unexpected career change which has you moving to another state could separate you from aging relatives. This could mean you need to use in-home care services to help them out.

This can become a pressing matter if your parents suffer from chronic conditions which would urge anyone to seek specialized aid.

Here are some of the most frequent conditions affecting the elderly.

1. Coronary Artery Disease – CAD

With one in three Americans likely to experience cardiovascular disease after the age of 60, you have to pay close attention to early signs of CAD.

This condition affects the circulatory system in the adipose tissue deposits on the walls of arteries. After these deposits are calcified they block the blood flow.

When your parent seeks CAD treatment, they are always told diet changes are crucial.

But since you won’t be able to closely monitor the menu, you’ll need a caregiver to help. They are trained to create a healthy meal plan and are educated on the best nutrients which contribute to overall wellbeing.

In-home care for CAD patients can contribute a great deal to stabilizing the disease.

Care-providers will make sure the elders recognize early changes in their state and seek for medical intervention before the onset of dangerous episodes.

2. Diabetes

We all know what diabetes is and why it needs ongoing treatment. This is doable when you are not suffering from other conditions.

But an aging person can’t always be trusted with following a strict medication schedule.

This means professional in-home care is still the safest solution. Apart from insulin, diabetic people may need supplementary medication – which could lead to them losing track of the overall drug prescription.

Plus, it needs to be combined with healthy eating. As was the case with coronary artery disease, weight monitoring is crucial.

3. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease – COPD

Smokers and people who have been exposed to chemical fumes at the workplace could experience COPD in their late years.

This is a condition where pulmonary air ducts are damaged or obstructed making breathing difficult. Wheezing, heavy cough, and chest tightness are among the accompanying symptoms.

Once COPD begins, there is no cure – minimizing lung damage is the best outcome.

This is where an in-home care service can intervene. They can help the patient quit smoking for good and ensures the condition is kept under control.

4. Arthritis – When In-Home Care Is Critical

Although there are around 100 types of arthritis, the two most likely to affect old people are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Given that these conditions damage the joints or cartilages, they inflict serious mobility issues upon the elderly. Unfortunately, medical treatment is not significantly effective in improving the quality of life.

Seniors still experience difficulty with carrying out daily activities. They can get to a point where they cannot perform routine cleaning, cooking, or laundry.

These are things you can’t take care of every day and you need someone else to step in.

What Can You Do to Help Your Parents Now

Skylark caregivers have a thorough understanding of these issues and have brought peace of mind to lots of busy families. 

In-home care has benefits which can improve the life of your parents in the long-run, and help them feel more confident and more independent.

When a chronic patient knows they’re cared for and have someone to rely on, they’ll also feel more at ease when it comes to their condition.

If you’ve reached the same conclusion, don’t hesitate and contact us right away.