Aging in place at home is the choice of a majority of elderly adults in most places around the U.S., including New York City and the metro area. If you're investigating home care in NYC for an elderly loved one, you may be trying to find out what services in-home caregivers provide. If yes, they generally can be divided into four categories of help with daily needs (often referred to as the activities of daily living or ADLs), companionship, household duties, and other activities such as transportation and communicating with family members. All are intended to help older adults maintain their independence.

Making sure seniors eat well is one of many families' most significant concerns when aging causes someone to lose interest in cooking. Caregivers can monitor diet and nutrition and help with meal preparation. During the same in-home visits, home health aides can help with bathing, grooming, and dressing. Caregivers can handle it when it's time to shop for groceries or run to the pharmacy to pick up a prescription refill. If someone needs light exercise to help with strength, flexibility, or mobility, having a home care worker present can provide support. They help with whatever is required.

The companionship aspect of home care helps prevent loneliness and depression and keeps seniors engaged with people and the world around them. Conversations and supervised walks can add variety to the day and keep life more enjoyable. Some seniors enjoy playing games or doing crafts with their caregivers, while others may choose to tend their gardens with some help. Many elderly adults keep pets for companionship, and pet care can become burdensome. Caregivers can help feed and walk dogs and tend to cats in the home. The goal is to provide support in all areas and to make life more comfortable.

The natural aging process means we have less energy in our older years, and simple tasks like light housekeeping can become daunting. Caregivers can help and also handle laundry, change sheets and towels as needed, and keep the home clean and well tended. Scheduling appointments and helping with bill payments are among the services some seniors need from trusted caregivers. No two people and their needs are the same, and an individualized care plan always helps. When you hire a caregiver through an agency, they have social workers and counselors ready to assist with making a match.