Perhaps other responsibilities in your life have prevented you from providing the care your elderly loved one needs, or maybe he or she is facing new challenges that require additional assistance. Whatever has led you to seek out professional caregiving services, here’s how to choose the caregiver who is best suited for your loved one’s needs.
Decide What Type of Care Your Loved One Needs
A caregiver will typically fall into one of three categories: Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), home caregiver, or personal care attendant. A CNA has some medical training and is certified to check vitals, administer medications, and care for wounds. A home caregiver can assist your loved one with everyday living activities such as bathing, dressing, and feeding. Personal care attendants can help with household chores. All three types of caregivers can sometimes overlap, but knowing what your loved one needs the most can help you narrow down which type of caregiver should be employed.
Look at Agency Caregivers versus Independent Caregivers
Hiring a caregiver from an agency may cost more, but the agency will be able to provide background checks, training certification, and replacements should a caregiver need to miss work. Independent caregivers tend to cost less but often have higher turnover rates.
When researching agencies that provide elderly home care, Frederick, MD, families are usually looking for flexible care plans, compassionate and highly trained caregivers, and 24/7 availability. Whether you need respite care to take a break from your caregiving duties or your senior loved one needs around-the-clock assistance at home, you can rely on Assisting Hands Home Care.
Research Potential Caregivers
Asking potential caregivers service-specific questions can help you understand how they might react in certain situations. Verifying background checks, references, and prior employers can be helpful in determining if the caregiver can perform the job well.
Make Sure the Caregiver Is a Good Fit
Many seniors experience feelings of loneliness and isolation, but a caregiver can ease these feelings by providing conversation and companionship. A potential caregiver should be well suited to your loved one. Many services can even match a caregiver to a senior based on likes, dislikes, and shared interests.
For many families, in-home care can be a wonderful solution when their aging loved ones need companionship and socialization a few hours a week or just need minor assistance with daily household tasks. At Assisting Hands Home Care, we thrive on helping seniors maintain their independence while living in the comfort of home.
Set Clear Rules about Your Expectations
Make sure any potential caregivers know what’s expected of them and what the rules of the household are before they begin working. This can ensure the process goes smoothly and your loved one receives the best care possible.
Families looking for top-rated Frederick home care providers can reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care. From respite care to specialized Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care, there are many ways we can make life easier for seniors and their loved ones. Call one of our friendly Care Managers today at (301) 786-5045 to learn more about our customized care plans.
