Care for your spouse.

You and your husband or wife have been partners for the better part of your lives. You’ve always been there for each other and vowed to stick together in sickness and in health.

So when your spouse was diagnosed with dementia or another potentially debilitating medical condition, you expected yourself to carry the full burden.

You don’t have to. And you are not alone.

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Despite your selfless intentions, caring for your partner as his or her condition evolves is exhausting, and it’s likely to take a toll on your own health over time. Becoming a full-time caregiver is too much for anyone to undertake alone.

Full Heart Home Care is here to help share the caregiving role on your terms. Whether you want someone to visit a few hours each week or need help around the clock, we will work with you to establish a plan that ensures the safety and comfort of your spouse and keeps you in control.

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Where to Start

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There are quite a few in-home care options in the Boston area, and finding the right one for you might seem like a monumental task.

A good first step is to take stock of what type of help your spouse needs. First, for each of the following activities of daily living (ADLs), note if your spouse is completely independent, requires some assistance or is completely dependent:

• Walking safely

• Transferring between bed and chairs

• Using the toilet

• Bathing, including stepping in and out of the shower or tub

• Dressing and grooming

• Eating

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Next, consider services that would be helpful in addition to addressing the above needs. Be sure to consider yourself as well as your spouse – you are allowed to have help too!

For example, if you’re caring for your husband who was always the “head chef” of the household, you could both benefit from help with meal preparation. Or if your wife always took care of the laundry but can no longer do so, your home care provider should be able to help you with that.

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Consider these examples of some Tender Companion Home Care services:

• Transportation

• Shopping & errands

• Paying bills

• Taking notes at doctor visits

• Meal preparation

• Light housekeeping

• Laundry & linens

• Walking & feeding pets

• Medication reminders

• Watering plants