“I am not going to a nursing home!” my father, a stroke victim, empathically told his doctor, “I have my own home and I can live by myself.” His doctor disagreed and called the state social services and a home health care agency. I faced a dilemma. He refused to move in with us, didn’t want to move to a retirement village, assisted living facility or a nursing home, but the state demanded we provide 24 hour care. I could not stay with him 24/7 and needed to find a solution. Finally, after much debate, we were able to reach a compromise with my father and find him the care he needed while still remaining at his home. During this process I spent hours of my time researching how to choose a caregiver. Hopefully, these tips will help you avoid some of the hassle I faced.
1. Research different health care agencies in your area. Ask questions and be wary if they will not give you answers. Does the agency supervise its workers to monitor the quality of care? Are the workers properly trained? Are they friendly and helpful? Is the agency licensed and insured? Do they have references? How long have they been operating in the community?
2. Find out what will be included in the services. Do they do light housekeeping? Do they prepare meals? Do they help with transportation or run errands when needed? Do they assist with medication?
3. Check into financial options. How much will the fees be each week? Will any of the services be covered by Medicare or by insurance?
4. Monitor the Caregiver. Pop in and observe how the caregiver interacts with your parent. Is the caregiver patient? Be sure to check with the agency to determine what you must do if there is a problem before any issues arise.
Have you had to choose a Home Care Provider? What tips do you have to make the transition easier?
Wow, great tips! Hopefully we’re a long way from those important decisions. 🙁
A good reminder that it’s so important to think about these things in advance!
These are great tips especially popping in.. Caregivers need to know what you can drop by at any second with out any notice or warning.. that way it makes sure that you children or elderly family members are well taken care of…
These are really great tips. Hopefully I won’t have to use them anytime soon but they are good to know!
I would absolutely pop in and watch interaction like you said. I think that would be my biggest concern of all.
These are fantastic! And very needed. I remember when my parents were making these decisions about my grandparents. Such hard choices.
Checking in unexpectedly is super important!
Those are some great tips. My mother would refuse to go to a home or even have someone take care of her. When the time comes and push comes to shove I’ll have to remember these tips.
This is such an important topic to discuss, and those are great questions to ask!
Great tips! I’m still a few years away from having to worry about this for my parents (thank goodness), but this info will definitely come in handy.
no home health care here (yet) but we’ve gone through finding a placement for my dad with alzheimers and it’s so hard. its better to educate ourselves NOW not later.
I hope that I don’t have to face this scenario for a very long time but unfortunately it may come up one of these days. Thank you for sharing these tips.
No matter he much we do not want to think of these things, these are great tips.
Great tips.. it’s important to plan ahead and look for caregivers for your parents; and even plan ahead for yourself .. thanks for sharing
I used to be a caregiver to my husband’s parents so I know how hard it is
These are great tips! I know at some point I will have to think about this with my parents.
Gosh, there is really so much to consider in this situation. Thanks for the advice, as I’m sure it’s not that many more years before I’ll need to get help for my Mom.
Thanks so much for the tips. We will be looking into this in the near future and this is good to know.
Great questions to ask about this sensitive subject. It’s not fun when you’re older and you need someone else to take care of you.
I have a friend who is an advocate for elderly individuals and their families and helps them find suitable housing for those who need it. I think it’s so important to get all the information you can to help you make a good decision.
That must have been such a difficult process for you, but I am really glad you were able to find a solution. Thanks so much for sharing your experience and tips. I haven’t had to do this yet, but this will definitely help.
Checking in on the caregiver is super important. There are way too many stories about them abusing the elderly, that we just have to protect the people we love!
It is very important to be prepared for health care issues. I am a nurse have seen many families that are unprepared and have differing opinions for their loved one’s future. And don’t forget to put it on paper and make it legal.
these are some great tips, I will save this because I am going to need it soon.
Very important info…making the decision to place a loved one in any type of outside provider home is such a hard decision. I have worked many years in the healthcare industry and I really do not think there is a easy way. I do agree with your recommendations to help make the painful transition as easy as possible.
Those are some really good tips!
This hits home to me as someone in my family recently had a stroke and they are very upset they can’t live at home. Its so very sad, it was a tough read but everyone should read and take notes. this was unexpected and shocking we had no idea what to do.
thank you for the info – hoping I will not need if for awhile.