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Regardless of how independent or accomplished we have been in life, there will come a time when we will need other people to assist us, especially when we grow old. Good thing that we have our family and friends who can look after us. But sometimes, it would not suffice because of the amount of care we will be needing when we turn golden. Case in point, our senior parents and grandparents.
Their physical, mental and emotional state are not the same as when they were younger, so they will be needing more of our time, effort, and even finances. Unless we have all the time and money in the world, then by all means, we can care for them full time. But more often, that is not the case, and for us to fulfill our obligations, we will need some professional assistance to extend care, look over their welfare and maintain their health.
So, the main challenge is to find someone who can care for and assist them full time. Finding a caregiver is more than just looking for an experienced one. It is important to consider how the caregiver will get along with your senior family member and if their expertise is what your loved one needs.
What is Aging in Place?
Seniors sometimes prefer aging at home as it enables them to live in a familiar environment as they grow older. Aging in place means staying in the comfort of one’s home as long as possible instead of staying or living in a senior community or a retirement facility.
This is a viable option if the senior only needs minor assistance in their daily activities and if they wish to have their family and friends around them. If this is the case, then finding the best home care is needed for them to healthily age in place.
5 Steps in Finding the Best Home Care for Seniors
1. Talk to your doctor, family, and friends
The very first step to finding the best home care for your senior family member is to know what type of personal care or long-term care your loved one needs. Through this consultation, you can get professional and trustworthy advice from a physician on the medical-related assistance they will need. They can also provide you specific instructions to give to your caregiver.
Family and friends of the senior, on the other hand, can give honest feedback on the areas you might not have thought about in terms of getting help. For instance, their insights about housekeeping, activities of daily living (ADLs), and personal hygiene could be helpful.
2. Assess your home care needs
Once you have spoken to the people you trust and professionals, it is time to list down exactly what kind of help your loved one will need, as well as how often you will need assistance.
Talk to your senior family member and observe their everyday routine. See how they are fairing with daily activities and determine where they need help. By knowing these, you can comprehensively discuss to a caregiver the kind of care needed, when and how.
3. Know your budget
Knowing how much you can afford to pay for home care assistance is important before you start looking for one. Before you explore, map out where you can source your funds. Consider if you can tap into Medicare, Medicaid or other health insurance for medical needs. You can also inquire about the social security benefits your loved one is eligible for. Others also maximize their existing properties by selling their home or downsizing for additional funds.
4. Search for Home Care Agencies
You do not have to start from nowhere in order to get the best care. You can get help from home care agencies, get referrals from family and friends, or search online for one. Just make sure to get those with trusted networks in your local community or in your desired location, for better leads.
5. Make the right match
Once you have connected a trusted agency, they will set an appointment with you and your elderly loved one for assessment. In this assessment, they will ask questions to find out the type of assistance you are seeking and need. This is also an opportune time to ask questions in return about their network of care providers, and verify some important information before making your choice.
Once the assessment is done, matchmaking begins. The agency will consider the elderly’s personality traits, personal habits, and likes and dislikes to make sure these will blend well with the caregiver. Are they sensitive, easy-going, quiet, or active? Great agencies will consider these things important in getting the perfect match. And if ever you find the caregiver not suitable for your loved one, you can give this feedback to your agency and request for a replacement.
Get More Help
Naturally, matching your elderly with a caregiver will take some time. It will take time to build rapport, familiarity, trust, and mutual respect. But these are essential things to build in order to ensure your older loved one will get the best home care possible.
The BestPlace4Seniors have expert senior living advisors who value your elder loved ones and can tailor-fit services based on their needs and preferences. We only partner with senior living communities and caregivers who share the same values and compassion we have. If you want to get started with your search for home care, connect with us today.
Recommended Assisted Living Locations:
- Blue Skies of Tri-city – Assisted living
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