Amy never imagined she’d be choosing in-home senior care for her mom, but as her aging mother’s needs changed, adjustments needed to be made quickly. Here’s what helped Amy choose the proper in-home senior care.
Key Takeaways
- Choosing the right in-home care provider means balancing personality fit, medical needs, and trust.
- Always interview caregivers and ask about agency policies, background checks, and training.
- Local and online directories can help you find qualified in-home care services for seniors in your area.
Finding In-Home Senior Care: A Daughter in a New Role
Amy, a nearly 40-year-old daughter, found herself needing to find in-home care for her aging mother. After a rough fall in her kitchen that required a short hospital stay, it was clear that Amy’s mother couldn’t safely manage things on her own anymore.
Not knowing where to start and trying to decide between a medical alert system and an assisted living facility, Amy turned to online forums like r/AgingParents for guidance and to ask others how they had handled similar situations. Some helpful online feedback that Amy had not considered was hiring a part-time caregiver. This seemed to be a good compromise between total independence and relocating to a new home for assisted care.
With her task in hand, Amy knew she’d need to thoroughly vet companies to find someone trustworthy enough to help her mother with day-to-day tasks..
How to Choose a Care Provider
Choosing an in-home care provider starts with understanding what kind of help your loved one needs. Is it light housekeeping and companionship, or more medical assistance like medication management or mobility support?
Start with a needs checklist, then begin your search with your needs in mind. You can use resources like community senior service organizations to point you in the right direction, or use online tools like A Place for Mom for direction.
Once your selection process is underway, be sure to interview at least three caregivers and request a meet-and-greet with your parent present. Chemistry matters just as much as credentials.
What to Look For in Home Care Services
There are various types of in-home senior care, ranging from hourly companionship to full-time skilled nursing care. Here’s what you should consider during your interviews:
- Is the caregiver licensed and insured? If so, how many years of service do they have?
- What relevant training do they have? Consider training like CPR, any memory care needs, or mobility care.
- Are background checks and references standard? Background checks should be redone every six months and not just at initial hire.
- What happens if the regular caregiver is sick, unavailable, or quits?
What to Expect When Hiring Senior Care Help
After speaking with three agencies and reviewing their feedback, Amy decided to go with a local nonprofit that specializes in elder care. The first caregiver they sent for an interview wasn’t a fit. That’s okay, you just need to be prepared to voice your concerns and ask for someone else from the agency.
The second caregiver sent by the agency was incredible. She respected independence while helping with meals, mobility, and light cleaning. This was crucial in maintaining the relationship as a helper rather than a babysitter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about in-home senior care.
Look for signs such as frequent falls, missed medications, poor hygiene, or social isolation. If they’re struggling with daily tasks, it may be time.
It can be, especially if your loved one only needs part-time help. However, full-time care may cost as much or more than a facility-based care option.
Use directories like Caring.com, A Place for Mom, or your local Area Agency on Aging (AAA). Personal recommendations are gold, too.
Medicare covers limited services under specific conditions, such as post-hospital skilled nursing. Most long-term help is out-of-pocket unless you qualify for Medicaid or veteran benefits.
Companions provide non-medical support, like errands or socialization. Home health aides are trained to help with personal hygiene, mobility, and some medical tasks.
