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Caregiving

What to consider when choosing an in-home care provider

by Kylie Johnson
written by Kylie Johnson

If you are looking into hiring an in-home care provider here are some things to consider:

Service availability

Home health aide schedules vary between agencies. This can impact affordability and convenience when hiring a service.

  • Home for the holidays: Does the agency offer holiday service? Many elderly people celebrate in their own homes, making it crucial for an assistant to be available during these days.
  • Part-time option: Not all seniors need round-the-clock care, so a part-time option helps keep costs low.
  • Overtime service: Family members responsible for primary care may face a late day at the office, bad traffic or any number of factors that could leave them running late. Be sure that a caregiver can remain on site when a complication arises.
  • Respite care: Family caregivers need breaks from time-to-time to tend to their own needs. Home health aides can fill in so that the care recipient remains safe while the family caregiver is away.

Clear communication

Communication between the family of the senior receiving care and the provider organization is critical to creating a comprehensive schedule of services. Slow response times could leave a senior alone, or put them in danger by delaying reports on issues that could impact their health.

  • Health reporting: How often does the service provider give a comprehensive report about the senior’s continued ability to live alone?
  • Schedule changes: For many people, caring for an elderly parent does not reduce other demands on their time, leaving them to schedule around school plays, nights out with friends and work functions. Flexible and emergency scheduling is a must.
  • Live operators: As effective as voice mail can be, waiting for a call back can be nerve wracking. Make sure your service provider routinely answers the phone, rather than responding to messages.

Provider screening

Any time you let someone into your home, you take a risk. The elderly are particularly at risk, so before inviting someone in, it is important that they pass screening and a background check which should be provided by the agency.

  • Background checks: A credit check and scan of criminal history could provide a sense of security.
  • Reference checks: Reference checks are a quick and easy way to find out whether someone has a history of quality performance, and they are also something that many employers neglect to do.
  • Caregiver interview: Instead of simply assigning someone to a case, it is important to allow the caregiver, senior and their family to meet in an informal environment. Compatibility is a foundation for building trust.

Absentee policies

Everyone needs a day off occasionally, so what happens when a caregiver calls out?

  • Immediate notification: Before sending a replacement, the agency should notify you of the conflict. You might prefer to take some time off rather than have a stranger take on the job.
  • Available replacement: If they have a call out, can the agency send out someone else without missing the service window?
  • Permanent replacement option: While occasional call outs are inevitable, repetitive issues with missed work can be a major issue. It is important to know how many you might deal with from a single provider.

Cost

When trying to provide care on a limited budget, the cost can be a major issue. Medicare rarely covers in-home care costs, leaving much of it to be out-of-pocket. You can see what benefits you or your loved one are eligible for by visiting benefits.gov. Long-term care insurance and Medicare supplemental insurance might be viable options to help cover costs.

  • Daily charges: Is there a daily maximum on charges?
  • Hourly charges: Hourly charges can rack up fast, particularly for those that need round-the-clock care.
  • Extra therapy charge: If the primary aide only helps around the house, but is supplemented with a physical therapist or nurse, is there an additional charge for these occasional services? There almost always is.

Article provide by ConsumerAffairs.com

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Woman examining medication treatment, several boats in the hand, conceptual image
Caregiving

How to Create a Caregiver Command Center

by Kathy Macaraeg
written by Kathy Macaraeg

Smoothly With A Command Center

Caregiving requires organization. Few caregivers have only one obligation – caring for a loved one – so juggling all of the tasks and managing your own life requires some serious organization. If you aren’t organized, you’ll become frustrated, stressed out and possibly drop a few balls here and there.

Of course, many caregivers are thrust into their role without much planning and it can be hard to create an organization system that will work for your family on the fly. If you were thrust into caregiving and are trying to figure out some sort of organization system, I highly recommend creating a Caregiver Command Center. It’s much less complicated that it sounds. Essentially, it is a space in your home where you house your caregiving life.

In my home, I have two small “Command Centers” since I don’t have any one large area to keep our life on track. One area is dedicated to knowing where everyone needs to be and the other is dedicated to housing whatever we need to get out the door. For example, my youngest son had picture day at school and my husband needed to take the order form. It placed it on the shelf near the door, under his wallet and keys so he wouldn’t forget it. Having drop zones as part of your Command Center will ensure that you don’t forget something important as you rush out the door.

Creating A Caregiver Command Center

Every home and family functions differently so you’ll need to decide on what will work best for your family. That being said, there are essentials that everyone needs to remain organized. Here are some elements to include in your Caregiver Command Center.

(This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission if you make a purchase at no additional cost to you.)

Central Location or Command Center Zones: The best way to stay on top of your caregiving tasks is to have a specific home for all things caregiving. In my case, since I’m in a very small home, I have two “zones” where we keep important information/things. I use the outside of our kitchen pantry door as our information center. I keep a calendar, cork board and dry erase board there and keep any important paperwork that is needed for appointments on the board until after the appointment. I also have a zone near the door where we keep our keys. It has hooks for bags and backpacks and a small shelf to keep paperwork that we need to take with us. If you have a larger area, you can store your caregiving medical file and any related paperwork for your caree (applications, vendor contracts, etc.).

Keep A Visible Master Calendar: I keep an electronic calendar on my phone, but I also use a wall calendar decal so that everyone can see what we have going on. I also use different colors for different activities since I want to make sure we don’t miss them. I love using a dry erase calendar since appointments/activities get canceled and I don’t want a calendar full of scribbles. I also have a calendar on my phone so that I can make appointments on the go. It is much easier to schedule a medical appointment while you’re at the office, versus waiting until you get home to call.

File/Paperwork System: Every time I go to the doctor, I get a post-visit summary and occasionally, a referral to another doctor. I keep referrals pinned to my corkboard until I make the appointment and I have a file for medical paperwork. That way, I don’t have to spend a ton of time searching for what I need. If your caree has a medical condition, I highly recommend creating a medical file where you keep all of their paperwork. If your command center is big enough, you can keep the file there, or do what I do and only keep paperwork that requires an action in the command center and file everything else in a specific location.

Contact List: I had a client who had a list of every phone number she could possibly need taped to the wall next to her phone. It was a fantastic idea as she had dementia and had many caregivers in the home who might need to contact someone on the list. In addition to a family contact list, you should have a service provider list (think plumber, electrician, cable provider, etc.) and a medical contact list. Keeping everything on one list makes things easier when you’re in a hurry.

Medications/Supplies: If you live with your caree and are tasked with their medication, it may be helpful to create a medication space in your command center. If you don’t have space, then make a small medication zone where you do have space (preferably not in the bathroom as some medications lose effectiveness in humid spaces). I have a section of my kitchen counter dedicated to my vitamins (I take a lot) and a pretty tray on my dresser to house my prescription medication. Everything is stored in those spaces so I know exactly where they are. If your caree has special instructions for certain medications or a specific schedule to keep to, print it out and keep it in that zone.

You may have other elements to your caregiving that you will want to add to your command center. The thing about organization is that it has to work for you, so it may take a few tweaks to make your command center work for you. I have changed my systems over time as my needs change. The key is to create a workable system for your caregiving situation.

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Age-In-Place

Age at Home and Not a Nursing Home

by Carol Marak
written by Carol Marak

Most of us want to age-in-place. But can we? Affordable, accessible and well-located housing affects the quality of life for all ages, but it’s most significant for older adults. In a report released by The Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University and AARP, it claims that the three key points are the cornerstone to comfort and security. How to Age at Home and Not a Nursing Home
Housing is the single largest item in most budgets and its costs and expenses directly influence financial security. The home’s location and accessibility are essential to health and safety, to stores, services, and transportation. Without the three components, older adults may experience inactive, non-productive, and isolated lives. If an individual lives with a disability or chronic disease, they will suffer since local supports and services could be difficult to find and access. How to Age at Home and Not a Nursing Home
Whether one chooses to remain independent and to grow older at home is up to individual and their loved ones to know if the home will allow them to age-in-place. Start early when assessing your preferences, the readiness of the home, and the community it’s located. How to Age at Home and Not a Nursing Home
I’ve listed suggestions and tips that will make the home safer. Consider these and adapt accordingly.

  • Numerous safety and fall hazards exist in everyone’s homes. What needs fixing is determined not so much by specific hazards, but by observing a person’s ability to maneuver (walk and transfer) safely in the home. For example, extra handrail support becomes a priority for balance.
  • Hire help for difficult talks. Many older adults have fallen off ladders or roofs doing home maintenance. It might be worth hiring someone instead. Keep the home clean by hiring a housekeeper.
  • Home technology helps and keeps people living with chronic illness to have healthcare in the home. While most people will think about physical space modifications, the most underutilized trend is the simple use of technology.
  • Adopt wearable or simple sensors which connect the older consumer with family, emergency support services, and detect falls, allowing family or caregivers to identify issues before they escalate and exacerbate.
  • Think of the future every time you make a change to a room. Every renovation should consider future need or ability to retrofit. Select lever handle faucet and add lighting options in dark hallways and bathrooms. Are studs in place for grab bars?
  • Use the assistive devices that are available to you-canes, walkers, hearing aids, etc. Look critically at how you use your space and what changes would make it easier for you to maneuver in your house. Get an evaluation from a physical therapist.

Think ahead. When considering retirement, some gravitate toward a place in the countryside, which feels like a good idea when active and able. However, there are real advantages to having neighbors, friends, and family close by.

How to Age at Home and Not a Nursing Home

How to Age at Home and Not a Nursing Home How to Age at Home and Not a Nursing Home How to Age at Home and Not a Nursing Home How to Age at Home and Not a Nursing Home How to Age at Home and Not a Nursing Home How to Age at Home and Not a Nursing Home How to Age at Home and Not a Nursing Home How to Age at Home and Not a Nursing Home How to Age at Home and Not a Nursing Home How to Age at Home and Not a Nursing Home How to Age at Home and Not a Nursing Home How to Age at Home and Not a Nursing Home

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Is Your Aging Loved One At Risk for Malnutrition?
Age-In-Place

When Is At-Home Senior Care Necessary?

by Jeff Dailey
written by Jeff Dailey

It’s no surprise that many people want to do all that they can for an aging parent or relative. But life sometimes gets in the way. From work, to family, to the difficulties that aging brings about, its rare that you can do it all on your own. When that happens, you may need at-home assistance from a senior care professional. When Is At-Home Senior Care Necessary?
At Visiting Angels, our caregivers provide high-quality at-home senior care to families in need, so we know what kinds of situations make senior care necessary. We’ve helped countless families navigate the decision around senior care, and we can do the same for you.
Are you concerned that a parent or relative may need at-home senior care? If so, the following signs may let you know whether or not you and your loved one can benefit from professional care:

You Find Yourself Overwhelmed

Does caring for your parent or relative eat up most of your free time? Do you regularly find yourself tired, overworked, or exhausted from the burden of caregiving? Are you finding it hard to make time for work, family, or relationships due to the time you spend caring for your loved one?
If so, at-home senior care may be exactly what you need. Professional caregivers provide much needed respite for overwhelmed family members charged with the care of a loved one. One option you may wish to explore is part-time care, which will allow you to manage the amount of time, effort, and energy you spend caring for your parent or relative.

Your Loved One Is Starting to Struggle

Often, the need for at-home senior care stems from challenges and difficulties related to advanced aging. Generally, these challenges fall into one of three categories: physical, mental, or emotional.

  • Physical Challenges. As your loved one ages, they may begin to struggle with movement, balance, everyday tasks, or bodily functions. These kinds of challenges can be tough to deal with. Sometimes you may feel physically overmatched. Other times, your loved one may be embarrassed to ask for your help and would prefer the help offered by a non-family member.
  • Mental Challenges. Problems with memory can occur naturally with aging, making it difficult to leave a loved one unattended. Even bigger challenges are posed by memory disorders like dementia or Alzheimer’s, which can be tough to handle without the help of a professional and are often particularly taxing on family members.
  • Emotional Challenges. Aging can sometimes trigger feelings of depression or loneliness. Blue feelings can be brought about or made worse by the death of friends or the loss of a spouse. If you find that your loved one is struggling with mood or emotional issues, you may find that a service such as companion care can help.

You Worry About Leaving Them on Their Own

You can’t be in two places at once, so it can be tough to make sure someone’s there to look after your loved one. If you find that you worry about leaving your loved one at home alone, then at-home senior can help. A care provider will be able to watch over your parent or relative throughout the day, ensuring someone is always there in case anything happens.

Distance Is Getting in the Way

In today’s world, many of us live miles and miles away from our loved ones. While phone calls and emails can keep you connected, they’re not enough when your loved one starts to struggle with day-to-day living. In this case, you may wish to explore long distance at-home senior care. Long distance care programs help families look after and regularly check-in on aging loved ones – all without the need for a red-eye flight or several hours on the highway.
If you find yourself in need of at-home senior care, contact your local Visiting Angels office. Our at-home senior care providers help the elderly and their families make aging at home easier.
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