Akron Life February 2023

FOREVER YOUNG

“It can be a lifesaver,” says Jodi Wood, president of the Visiting Angels Greater Akron location of the national fran chise. Visiting Angels can pro vide supervision for safety and assistance with basic needs while allowing older adults with disabilities or medical conditions to stay in their homes in Summit, Stark and Portage counties. “That gives families a lot of peace of mind that they didn’t have to move them,” says Wood, “and peace of mind that your mom is eating, taking her medi cines, has had her shower.” She and Visiting Angels caregiv ers discuss when to get home care, how it works and how it can impact your loved one.

INDIVIDUAL ATTENTION

Home care might be right for a loved one who needs assistance but has no close family mem bers to help, or when local fam ily members need a respite from caregiving. Major incidents can be signs families need to look into home care, like one fam ily that called after their loved one fell in the shower and was found after 24 hours. “Often after a fall is a time where a family says, We really need more help ,” Wood says. When deciding between home care or a skilled nursing or assisted living facility, Wood notes that facilities often handle up to 10 patients at a time, while home care is one-on one. For Alzheimer’s disease or dementia patients, a move

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