Most long term care is provided in the home by family caregivers. Family members can make a difference in the quality of life for their aging parents, or other loved ones, if staying at home is an option. The problem for the family caregiver is that the high level of stress that results from being the primary caregiver often leads to illness and in many cases death. The caregiver, due to the high stress, often dies before the one they were caring for. A professional in-home care service can provide respite to the caregiver, thereby relieving much of the stress experienced by the caregiver. We are referring to a professional in-home care service company, not someone off the street, or a family member. Though often a family member truly is a good match for the senior in need, we don’t EVER recommend hiring someone independently on your own. The senior tends to trust a caregiver more than they should and therefore can easily be taken advantage of, even from a family member. Be sure to read our article Beware When Hiring In-Home Care Workers for the potential problems associated with hiring a non-professional as a caregiver. You want to be sure your loved one is safe at home with this caregiver.
Advantages to Hiring a Professional In-Home Caregiver Company*
- Saves you time from handling the interview process, checking references and trying to match qualifications with the needs of your loved one
- Eliminates your employment concerns (no worker’s compensation expense, payroll taxes or reporting), as long as worker is employee of the in-home care company.
- Home care companies take care of the scheduling and payment of their employees.
- Can provide professionals who have been screened and have passed government background checks, are bonded and insured
- Professionally trained personnel who understand the needs of seniors
*Select a company that provides care workers who are employees of the caregiver company, not contractors; that conducts a rigorous interviewing process for their care workers, that does national background checks, follows up on personal and professional references; are bonded, insured and covered by Workers’ Compensation.
Types of Help Available to the Senior by Professional In-Home Caregivers
- Personal Care Services
- Bathing, grooming, dressing and hygiene
- Mobility assistance
- Transferring and positioning
- Toileting and incontinence care
- Changing linens
- Feeding and special diet
- Medication reminders
- Dementia care
- Companion Services
- Companionship
- Meal preparation
- Light housekeeping, laundry and ironing
- Organizing closets and clutter
- Handyman services
- Grocery shopping, errands
- Incidental transportation
- Reading email or letters
- Overseeing deliveries, dealing with vendors
- Recreational activities
- Live-in services
- 24 hour care
- Respite care or relief for family caregivers
- Home Safety Solutions
- Personal emergency response systems (PERS)
- Medication solutions
- Around-the-clock emergency monitoring station
- In-home safety solutions