Planning for in-home care, whether it be for yourself or for a loved one can be overwhelming. Simply making the decision if now is the time to hire home care help, especially if it’s for a parent, grandparent or spouse who once took care of you can be the most challenging part.
While there are a lot of options, taking the time to do your research and know what questions to ask will alleviate stress and help you and your family make the best decision!
Staying in your own home as you get older is referred to as “aging in place” and the good news is, with the right help you might just be able to do that!
Establishing a better understanding of your loved one’s need for care should also include discussions with family members and others that are involved in their care. Part of that discussion should include if family members or others are available or willing and able to provide the level of care that may be needed.
The great part about in-home care is that you can almost get any type of help you might need, but it’s important to also consult with the professionals in your loved one’s life such as their:
- Physician or Specialist
- Nurse Practitioner
- Pharmacist
- Financial planner/consultant
- Long-term care insurance provider
- Attorney
- Social worker or Mental Health professional
- Religious leader
Maybe you don’t need any help right now, but you live with a spouse or a family member who does. Every situation is different and one way to begin planning for this is to take a step back and look at any illnesses that you or your spouse might have. Consulting with your doctor about how certain health problems could potentially make it harder for someone to get around or take care of him-or herself in the future.
Another area to focus on is choosing the right in-home care agency.
Health care workers will be an integral part of the day-to-day life so it is important to consider carefully who you will be letting inside your home! Here are considerations to take in when choosing an in-home care agency:
- Does the agency require background checks for all care workers employed?
- What credentials does the agency require for their employees?
- Are the workers contracted or are they of the agency?
- What type of quality assurance measures does the agency take?
- Will the same care workers be consistently assigned to work with your loved one or will it vary?
In home care provides the safety and security that is necessary for an aging relative to stay at home and the best part of in-home care services is that it can be tailored to meet individual needs, meaning care can be for a couple of hours a day or all the way up to 24-hour care. Tasks can range from medication reminders, companionship, respite, to assistance with dressing and bathing, running errands, escorting to doctor’s appointments and more.
Here at Mountain Home Care, we are committed to helping our clients maintain their independence and live in their homes for as long as possible. For more information about services we can provide your loved one(s), please click here.