Does Your Elderly Loved One Need to Hire an In Home Care Provider, and Has a Cat? Here are a Few Things to Consider Before Hiring Home Care.
Things to Think about When the Home Care Services Patient near Millstone, NJ Has a Cat
Mildred had always owned at least one cat throughout her life. Ever since she was a young girl, she loved cats. When she turned 80 years old, her family had talked about the prospect of giving up her cats at some point in time. This notion horrified her and she said, adamantly, that she would never give up her cat.
In fact, she said, “I would rather live in a homeless shelter or on the street than give up my beloved pet.” Many people think about their pets as family members, so what about the elderly individual who requires home care services? What can we do when that person has a cat?
Hiring a professional in home care provider is the best option for anyone who needs assistance at home. Family members may want to step up and take care of their loved ones. They might feel a sense of duty or responsibility for this. That’s fine, but it’s important to also include the cat, or other pet, as part of the package deal.
There are a few things to consider for the elderly individual who requires home care services and also has a cat.
- Taking care of the litter box.
This may seem like such a simple thing, but for an elderly individual who has diminished strength in his or her legs, a loss of balance, or other health issues, cleaning out the litter box on a daily basis may not be possible or practical.
Discuss this with the potential in home care provider. Make sure that he or she is willing and/or capable of taking care of the litter box on a regular basis. If they are not okay with the situation, then a family member who might live close by will need to stop in and clean it out at least once per day.
- Veterinary visits.
Every cat needs to get certain shots on an annual basis. Would the in home care provider be willing and able to help get the cat into a carrier and to the vet for the shots? If not, then a family member might need to step up.
- Feeding the animal.
Most cats will be able to have food left out throughout the day, but they may require feeding at a certain time. The elderly individual may certainly be able to do this comfortably and safely, but if not, the in home care provider might be asked to do this.
Discuss every aspect of care the pet requires when looking at hiring a professional in home care provider. As long as the caregiver can agree to these things upfront, it will make the process much better for everyone involved. Oh, and Happy Mew Year to those cat owners who require home care services.
If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring home care services near Millstone NJ, or the surrounding areas. Please call Independence Home Care today at (609) 642-4085 for more information .
