What Types of Services Do Aging Adults Receive with At-Home Care?

Aging in place is a priority for many families, yet navigating the specific types of support available can often feel confusing. In-home care typically encompasses a broad range of nonmedical services designed to help seniors maintain their independence and safety while remaining in their own homes.

Assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)

One of the primary functions of in-home care is providing support with activities of daily living, commonly referred to as ADLs. As mobility decreases or cognitive challenges arise, routine tasks that were once simple can become dangerous or impossible for a senior to perform alone. A professional caregiver provides the necessary physical assistance to ensure these essential needs are met with dignity. Personal care services usually include:

• Bathing and showering – Ensuring the senior maintains good hygiene while preventing slip-and-fall accidents in the bathroom

• Grooming – Assistance with shaving, hair care, and oral hygiene

• Dressing – Helping with buttons, zippers, and putting on socks or shoes

• Toileting and incontinence care – Providing discreet and respectful help with bathroom needs.

• Mobility and transfers – Safely helping the senior move from a bed to a wheelchair or helping him or her walk around the house to prevent atrophy

When considering Des Moines elderly home care, families should make sure their senior loved ones have the resources they need to maintain their independence and remain healthy. Trusted in-home care professionals can assist seniors with daily tasks like cooking, bathing, and exercise, and they can also encourage them to focus on healthier lifestyle habits.

Household Support and Meal Preparation

Maintaining a home requires physical stamina that many older adults may lack. When a home becomes cluttered or dirty, it can pose significant health risks, including respiratory issues or tripping hazards. In-home care providers assist with instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) to keep the living environment safe, clean, and organized. Standard household services include:

• Light housekeeping – Vacuuming, dusting, sweeping, and taking out the trash

• Laundry – Washing, drying, folding, and putting away clothes and linens

• Meal planning and preparation – Cooking nutritious meals tailored to dietary restrictions (such as low-sodium or diabetic-friendly diets) and ensuring the senior stays hydrated
• Pet care – Assisting with feeding or walking a beloved pet, which allows the senior to keep the companion animal without the physical burden

Companionship and Social Interaction

Isolation is a significant health risk for the elderly, often linked to depression and cognitive decline. While physical safety is often the trigger for hiring care, the emotional support provided by a caregiver is equally vital. Companionship services focus on mental wellbeing and social engagement, ensuring the senior has a friendly face to look forward to. Companionship activities often involve:

• Conversation – Discussing current events, family memories, or shared interests

• Hobbies and games – Playing cards, solving puzzles, or reading books aloud to stimulate the mind

• Active listening – Providing an outlet for the senior to express his or her feelings and frustrations
• Accompaniment – Going on walks or sitting in the garden to get fresh air

Respite care can be a wonderful solution for Des Moines families when their aging loved ones need companionship and socialization a few hours a week or just need minor assistance with daily household tasks. At Home Care Assistance, we thrive on helping seniors maintain their independence while living in the comfort of home.

Medication Reminders and Health Monitoring

It’s important to note that standard in-home caregivers are generally not licensed nurses, meaning they cannot administer medication (like giving injections or pills). However, they play a crucial role in medication adherence. Seniors often have complex prescription schedules, and missing a dose or double-dosing can be dangerous. Caregivers support health monitoring with:

• Medication reminders – Verbally prompting the client when it’s time to take a medication

• Symptom monitoring – Keeping an eye out for changes in physical or mental condition, such as new bruising, confusion, or loss of appetite, and reporting these to the family or medical team
• Prescription pickup – Ensuring refills are picked up from the pharmacy so there’s no gap in coverage

Transportation and Errand Services

Giving up a driver’s license is a major blow to a senior’s independence. It makes simple tasks, like buying milk or seeing a doctor, logistical nightmares. In-home caregivers bridge this gap by providing safe transportation. This service ensures the senior remains connected to the community and doesn’t miss essential appointments. Transportation support typically covers:

• Medical appointments – Driving the senior to checkups and therapy sessions

• Grocery shopping – Either shopping for the client or taking him or her to the store 
• Social outings – Driving to church, social clubs, or visits with friends and family

Whether you need respite from your caregiving duties or your aging loved one needs live-in care Des Moines families can rely on, Home Care Assistance can meet your family’s care needs. Our dedicated caregivers are available around the clock to provide transportation to doctor’s appointments, ensure seniors take their prescribed medications, and help with a variety of tasks in and outside the home. To learn more about our reliable, compassionate in-home care services, contact us at (515) 264-2438 today.