Ed. Note: The following content was provided by Home Care Services, who is a client of KHTS AM-1220.

The staff at Home Care Services in Santa Clarita are encouraging anyone with a senior loved one showing signs of struggling with everyday tasks to call or stop by for free advice and guidance.

When loved ones start to notice these signs, such as needing help around the house or being unable to drive themselves, it can be an extremely difficult topic to bring up– let alone plan for, according to Rick Ferrante, president of Home Care Services.

“Let’s take your mom or dad as an example,” Ferrante said. “That senior is obviously independent and has been their whole life. This isn’t a child, this is your parent– they want to maintain that independence as long as possible, just like you or I would. These are scary signs of reducing or losing that independence.”

It can also be scary for the son or daughter to notice signs of his or her parent getting older, Ferrante added, and there is often an element of guilt involved in seeking help from professional caregivers.

Related: Home Care Services Helps Keep Seniors In Their Homes

When loved ones attempt to become “somebody they’re not,” meaning a professional caregiver, it can put a strain on the relationship and even result in the senior not receiving adequate care.

“They have to find some help somewhere along the line, and it’s usually a combination of family, friends and professionals,” Ferrante said. “And then you continue to maintain that independence, you continue to maintain that family atmosphere. That’s really what this is all about– let’s try to find solutions to do that.”

While Home Care Services staff can provide professional caregiving services, they also have a caregiver resource center to help the community plan for many aspects of their senior loved one’s future, including in-home ramp/rail installation, meal planning, elder care law, stress management and more.

“We have partners in the community that are local, vetted people that we trust that can help with all these things that you’re dealing with,” Ferrante said. “Let’s go and put that whole package together; we’ll bring in the experts.”

Individuals don’t need to become clients of Home Care Services or be in need of professional caregiving services to seek advice from staff members, who are available to offer free guidance and assistance to anyone in need.

“Whether you become a client of ours or not, it doesn’t really make any difference,” Ferrante said. “Call us or just come by and sit down and talk with us, and let’s help you out. Let’s figure this out.”

Home Care Services Santa Clarita

23340 Cinema Drive, Suite 5

Santa Clarita, CA 91355

661-412-0710