You want the best for your loved one, which is why you are now exploring your options to keep him or her safe, healthy, and happy in the comfort of his or her home. Your loved one’s physician may have recommended hiring a homecare agency to provide homecare, but what does homecare really entail?
Homecare Basics
Homecare is offered by a homecare agency that provides a variety of services depending on the needs of your loved one. These services can be as simple as offering companionship or as complex as assisting your loved one with his or her daily tasks.
If you’ve noticed your loved one needs assistance doing things around the house or staying healthy, it might be time to consider a home caregiver. You can take advantage of many different services that include:
• Driving to and from errands, appointments, or social events
• Grocery shopping assistance
• Meal preparation
• Light housekeeping
• Personal assistance with toileting, getting dressed, and other hygiene-related tasks
• Providing valuable companionship
• Ensuring medication compliance
Is Homecare Costly?
Homecare does cost money, but you can actually save by hiring a homecare agency versus sending your loved one to a nursing home or long-term care facility. You can typically expect to pay anywhere from $10 to $40 per hour for an home caregiver depending on where you live, the services you need, and the experience of the professional you hire. A companion usually costs less than a personal aide or assistant. Remember that some of the cost may be offset if homecare is covered by your loved one’s insurance.
What to Look for in a Homecare Agency
You have several options when looking for homecare depending on what services your loved one needs. Therefore, first tell the agency what type of caregiver you are seeking by deciding which of the following is needed:
• Respite caregiver: Helps give you a break from caring for your loved one for a few hours per day and can assist while you’re home.
• Live-in caregiver: Provides around-the-clock care and assistance for your loved one.
• Personal caregiver: Helps your loved one with daily tasks, such as bathing or using the toilet, mobility assistance, shopping, cooking, and light housekeeping.
• Companion caregiver: Helps run errands and provides companionship.
Once you have told the homecare agency the type of caregiver you need, you will be presented with a few caregivers to interview and select. This is not a process you should do quickly. Instead, take the time to meet with each caregiver. Get to know their training, experiences, and personality type. Include your loved one in these conversations so he or she can be part of the process.
Make sure your caregiver’s personality and your loved one are a good fit. Once you have narrowed down your choices, make sure the homecare agency allows you to have a trial run with a caregiver before making a final selection. If you decide the caregiver isn’t the right fit, ensure you can easily make a change to employ a different care provider.
Homecare gives your loved one the freedom and security of living at home without risking his or her safety or health. learn how a caregiver can help your loved one live a satisfying, healthy life in the comfort of his or her own home.. find a caregiver