There are more than 10,000 Americans each day who turn 65 and this aging population needs more than 4 million caregivers to allow them to stay out of a facility and living at home as long as possible.
Looking for an in-home caregiver for a loved one can be a hard process. You want to know you are making the right decision.
We’ve got some tips on how to choose the right caregiver for your situation.
Keep reading to learn how you and your loved one can have peace of mind and be happy with your choice.
Where to Find Caregivers
Many people are overwhelmed by the prospect of looking for an in-home caregiver. It’s okay if you have no idea where to even start.
You want to be prepared and ensure the homecare team you look for is trained for your needs now and in the future.
Talk to your doctor, local seniors agencies, check with the AARP, and online references for local home care agencies and any reviews by actual clients and their families.
Additionally, you can also consult with an experienced insurance agent to find some good care-givers for your needs, and learn if your medicare would cover the expenses for the care-giver.
Interviewing In-Home Caregivers
All home healthcare agencies must be registered and operate within the minimum standard of best practices to ensure the health and safety of those they care for.
Do not just take their word for it, especially if they are an individual contractor that isn’t working for a bonded and registered reputable agency. Request documentation of all training, background checks, past employers, and education.
Check references and specifically ask why they left the position, what types of situations they dealt with, and if the person would recommend them for a situation such as yours.
Training, Education, and Experience
Even if you think an untrained companion can handle the needs of your loved one now they may become less cognitively aware and less physically mobile as time goes on.
They may need assistance with transfers and ambulation, physical and occupational therapies, eating, showering, ROM (Range of Motion Exercises), and all other ADL (activities of daily living). There may come a time they experience confusion, aggression or medical complications that would benefit from care by someone with specialized training.
Discuss with the caregiver how they would go about conducting these tasks. You may even want to have an afternoon where they spend some time with your loved one so you can see how they interact and get along.
Comfort and Care
You want someone who is not only going to provide the necessities of life but is going to truly provide care and comfort to your loved one. When hiring an in-home caregiver, provide them with ways to do that. Give them as much helpful information as possible so they can be as helpful as possible.
If your loved one has favorite foods, music, clothing or activities be sure to tell the caregiver. Ensure they are willing and able to provide the care best suited for your loved one.
You’ll want to have a signed contract and consider installing a nanny cam so you can check in on your loved one so you can have peace of mind at work or home knowing they are being cared for properly.
Quality of Life Can Be Better With An In-Home Caregiver
An in-home caregiver can give you peace of mind and help your loved one live a safer and better quality of life. They can stay in their home for longer and be happier and you don’t have to worry about whether they’re alright.
Bookmark our page for easy access to all our tips to add quality to your life.
