What comes to mind when you think of home care? A common misconception is that it’s only for older adults. However, whether you’re 25 or 95, in-home services can provide the right level of care to help individuals maintain independence, recover from an illness or injury, or manage a chronic condition—all from the comfort of home. While it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution, in-home services can benefit anyone who requires support and prefers to remain in a more familiar environment.

Why would a young adult need home care?

In-home caregivers can offer versatile solutions for a range of scenarios that many younger adults face, including:

• Recovery from illness or injury: A young adult recovering from an accident, surgery, or serious illness may need temporary home care to help them get back on their feet.
• Chronic conditions: Those who manage long-term conditions such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease, or other chronic illnesses, home care can provide some relief. Even mental health conditions like severe anxiety or depression may constitute in-home support.
• Neurodivergence: Young people with conditions like autism or extreme ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) can benefit greatly from the organized structure of in-home support.
• Disability: Many types of physical, intellectual, and developmental disabilities can necessitate assistance with activities of daily living, such as cooking, cleaning, and maintaining good hygiene. Caregivers may also be able to help connect adults with disabilities to day programs and other disability-friendly activities that help them stay active and social.
• Rehabilitation needs: Sometimes, a young person overcoming substance use disorder or other rehabilitative needs might benefit from reliable in-home support.

Real-life scenarios

Joni

Joni, 38, is married with two young children. Recently, she was involved in a car accident where she broke two bones in her leg. Her doctor has prescribed pain medications, and she must attend physical therapy for the next several months. As of now, she’s unable to walk or put full weight on her leg.

With Joni’s injury and her husband working long hours, the couple hired an in-home caregiver for extra support. Their caregiver helps Joni move around the house, prepare meals for her family, plan activities for the kids, keep track of Joni’s medications, and drive her to her follow-up medical appointments. They’re relieved to have someone reliable to assist Joni in her recovery and help care for their children while Joni’s mobility is limited.

Isiah

Isiah, 17, has muscular dystrophy, a condition that progressively weakens the function of his skeletal and heart muscles. His condition causes symptoms like chronic fatigue, muscle weakness, stiff joints, breathing difficulties, and mild cognitive impairment.¹ To help manage the condition, he takes several medications each day, completes gentle strengthening exercises, and attends speech and occupational therapy sessions. He also uses a motorized wheelchair and requires assistance when using the restroom or getting in and out of bed.

Isiah lives at home with his single mother. While she goes to work every day, a professional caregiver comes to the house to look after him. She monitors Isiah’s symptoms, helps him with his medications, takes him to the park every afternoon, cooks his favorite meals, and keeps him company until his mother returns. Isiah enjoys the daily companionship, and his mom is grateful to have someone she trusts looking after her son.

Home care services offered to young adults

Whether it’s occasional assistance around the house or specialized disability care, in-home services can support one’s independence and peace of mind regardless of their age. Available services will vary depending on the care provider, but they may include:

• Safety and supervision: For an in-home caregiver, their clients are their one and only focus. The one-on-one time they spend with the person they’re caring for is ample time to get to know them, assess their home for safety hazards, and closely monitor their condition.
• Meal prep and light housekeeping: Common tasks of an in-home caregiver include household chores like cooking, laundry, and light cleaning, which can be difficult for someone who has limited mobility or is recovering from a hospital stay.
• Assistance with pets: Pets need support too when their owner is unavailable. In-home caregivers can make sure their clients’ furry friends are well-fed and attended to.
• Transportation or errand services: Whether it’s picking up kids from school, shopping for groceries, or driving to an appointment, in-home caregivers often take care of certain errands while their clients focus on staying well.
• Specialized support for specific conditions: Certain types of disabilities and chronic conditions can be remarkably complex. Many caregivers are professionally trained to provide specialized care that addresses specific symptoms and side effects of medications.
• Activity and companionship: While in-home caregivers help clients work on their health, they can also enrich their day-to-day through meaningful conversation, emotional support, and engaging activities.

Why choose home care over other care options?

A younger adult in need of support might consider other care options, such as a care home or assisted living, before deciding on in-home care. While these options can also be effective in supporting young adults, home care offers certain advantages, such as:

• Familiarity: Rather than relocating to a care home or hospital setting to receive care, in-home care services enable younger adults to remain with their families in their own homes.
• Independence: Those who receive care at home experience a greater sense of independence and personal integrity while receiving the care they need.  
• Flexibility: An in-home caregiver can work directly with young adults to craft care plans that accommodate busy schedules. No need to sacrifice your social circle or time with family.
• Emotional support: From meaningful conversation to enriching activities, nothing compares to the shared moments one can experience with an in-home caregiver.

HomeWell is here for you

No matter your age or reason for needing care, it doesn’t have to be a solitary journey. If you or a loved one need assistance with daily household tasks or would benefit from specialized care, HomeWell’s individualized services for adults under 65 can help.

Whether you’re managing a health condition or are working toward regaining strength after a hospital stay, our compassionate caregivers can give you the support and stability you need to function more independently. Give us a call today to learn more about how our in-home services can meet your specific needs.

Sources

1. Cleveland Clinic. (2023, April 16). “Muscular Dystrophy.” https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14128-muscular-dystrophy