Home caregivers provide in-home or respite care services directly to clients in their homes, respite care centers, specialized day programs or healthcare centers. These individuals may report directly to a supervisor or be self-employed.
Hiring a home caregiver is an excellent way to relieve the strain on both yourself and your loved one, but accepting help from strangers may be challenging for older adults.
What are the duties of an in home caregiver?
Home caregivers provide non-medical care to senior clients or people living with disability. They assist them in performing daily tasks like housekeeping, transportation and meal preparation as well as offering hygiene support or medication reminders.
Caregivers may include family, friends, neighbors or hired help – and can be available part-time or full-time depending on the patient’s care requirements.
Elderly people tend to act like babies, and it is the responsibility of caregivers to treat them with patience and dignity at all times. Elderly individuals require assistance getting dressed, bathing and toileting if they suffer mobility issues; also helping out with groceries or running errands and potentially assistance with medical appointments as needed if needed; keeping in touch with family doctors or healthcare providers are a necessary component of being a caregiver.
How do I find an in home caregiver?
If your loved one requires in-home medical care, the next step should be determining between hiring an independent caregiver or home health services agency. Discuss this decision with their physician as they can provide guidance regarding which form of assistance will best meet their needs.
Both routes present unique advantages and disadvantages: independent caregivers may cost less while having limited experience; an agency typically conducts more extensive background checks and can be more regulated; however, this route could prove more expensive.
No matter which path you take when hiring, it is vital that you conduct thorough interviews and obtain references from applicants. Be sure to thoroughly verify credentials, licensure and employment history as well as address any concerns about job description and expectations. A contract should also be created between applicant and company which includes compensation details as well as list of duties performed at home, meal access privileges and any terms of employment agreement. For independent employees it is also vital that proper taxes are withheld as well as workers compensation insurance for this position.
How do I pay for an in home caregiver?
Some older adults want to stay at home as long as possible and, to do so, may hire someone for in-home care – typically someone to assist them with daily tasks such as laundry and grocery shopping – or with more medically related support like tending catheters, feeding tubes and tracheostomies. This varies by state but could include anything from helping with laundry to tending catheters feeding tubes and tracheostomies.
Private health plans often cover in-home care services, including some long-term care (LTC) policies. Contact your insurer for more details.
Some states, such as New York, offer consumer directed home care programs which enable participants to hire and pay their own caregivers (including family members). To learn more about these programs, contact your state Medicaid agency; for free expert guidance and options from programs like Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program or your Area Agency on Aging; alternatively use our interactive Paid Caregiver Program Search Tool.
How do I make the transition to an in home caregiver?
Transitioning to an in home caregiver isn’t always an easy process for both parties involved, especially your aging loved one who may feel threatened by new people in their home, or may perceive change as abandonment. It is crucial during this period to remain patient and reassuring.
Making sure your loved one feels included in selecting their caregiver can make them more at ease with their new relationship. Discussing what types of activities they enjoy doing or foods they prefer eating will allow the caregiver to establish a rapport with your parent more quickly.
Staying in constant communication can also prevent feelings of resistance or abandonment for both parties involved. Make sure to continue calling and checking up on your parent, and consider joining a support group for caregivers so you can share experiences and gain fresh perspectives about caregiving journey.