Millions of Americans who have reached an elderly age are impaired and require some form of long-term care. This personal assistance allows them to perform daily routines including eating, dressing, and bathing.
While this may be the case, most of these senior citizens prefer to live in their own homes for as long as they possibly can. However, they have to also deal with the fact they may have disabilities, so they may typically receive care from family and friends.
But now more than ever, people are recognizing the benefits of hiring professional caregivers. It offers peace of mind for families while also ensuring the patient receives the comfort and safety they need when they want to stay in their homes for a longer period.
With that in mind, in this article, we’ll run down some tips for choosing the right in-home caregiver for your loved one!
Take Stock of Your Needs
Before you go through the process of searching for a skilled caregiver, first take a moment to determine the level of care the person in question needs. If they only need help with preparing meals or getting dressed, you will typically work with a homemaker or personal care assistant.
You also have home health aides who do all the above including attending to their medical needs such as changing bandages, administering medications, and other related duties. They typically work under a nurse’s supervision to ensure all the proper protocols are followed and safety remains the priority.
It’s also important to consider just how many hours of care are required. Does your loved one need around-the-clock attention, or simply some help performing chores and run errands a few days a week?
Choosing a Home Health Agency
If you decide to go with a home health agency, they are able to take care of a lot of these inquiries on your behalf. That includes assessing your loved one’s needs while also assigning appropriately trained staff to care for them.
Make sure the agency is certified and you have a strong grasp of the level of care they will provide. There are also those who offer a free, in-home consultation with the patient and a family member or friend.
This is the perfect opportunity to have them answer any questions you may have, as it also allows the one being cared for the chance to get comfortable with the person they will depend on for assistance.
Conclusion
Perhaps most beneficial is if there is any problem whatsoever with the service, the agency is responsible for handling the situation. There are many factors to take into consideration when choosing the right caregiver, so spend the time to make the right decision. It can really make all the difference.
Do you have any questions or comments regarding this process or the role of a caregiver? Please share them in the comments section below!