Independence Is a Priority For Many Seniors

Many families face the dilemma of caring for loved ones having trouble maintaining their own home and lifestyle while still trying to meet the needs of their own immediate families and households. While they may not need the full care of a nursing home, simple every day tasks can be a challenge for the elderly, whether it's housekeeping, running errands, remembering to take medicine and performing personal hygiene.

In-home living assistance services may be the answer. This service pairs seniors with caregivers who can cook, clean, drive clients to appointments and other day-to-day tasks. The prospect of finding a trusted person can be intimidating, however. Often, in-home care follows a fall or a hospital stay when help must be found immediately. For others, it comes after months or years of increasing struggle. Relatives often notice a need for additional help after a visit, and introduce the idea of in-home assistance.

Many people are unaware how inexpensive in-home care can be when compared to institutional facilities, though it's important to note that Medicare generally does not pay for this type of service. Many care providers have varying levels of service to fit each client's need and budget. Some seniors may find enormous benefit in twice a week visits for general cleaning and appointments, while others may want someone there each day to assist with mobility and personal hygiene.

Finding the right person to come into a loved one's home can be a daunting task, but using a trusted home-care provider will ensure a good fit and meet expectations.

Sue Heinle of York, Penn. is the owner of a Visiting Angels Living Assistance Services franchise, an in-home caregiver provider to seniors across the United States and Canada. She adheres to a strict three-step interview process with all employees, including a criminal background check, to ensure the highest standard for clients. Heinle believes that the best way to ensure a good match between senior and aide is to ask for ongoing feedback.

"We like to follow up with our seniors within 24 hours of an aide visiting the home," says Heinle. "Then we continue to ask for feedback on a weekly basis to make sure everything is running smoothly and the client is feeling comfortable and getting the service they need."

Heinle recommends that seniors and their families gather as much information as possible before agreeing to an in-home living assistance service, especially if family members live out of the area. Get references, and be clear about the type of help that's expected.

Some families are looking for someone to help out with the assistance that family members already provide. This "share the care" approach eases the burden of the "baby boom" generation who are caught between caring for both their children and their aging parents (also known as the "sandwich" generation). Others are looking for a trusted source of care that can be there when family lives far away. No matter the need, it's important for everyone involved to feel comfortable.

Aside from the common questions about cost and scheduling, Heinle recommends asking the following:

• What is the aide's background? Do they have experience working with seniors? Do they have references?
• What happens after hours? Is there someone available by phone should an emergency or question arise after 5 p.m.?
• If the aide is employed by an agency, how can you get in touch with the owners? Are they local? How long have they been in business?
• What happens if a caregiver is sick or cannot make a home visit on the scheduled day? What sort of back-up system is in place to ensure the client's needs are met?
• What sort of follow-up procedures are in place? Who will receive the client's feedback and how often? What happens if a client is unhappy with an aide or wants to change to a different level of service?

Visiting Angels is a national network of homecare agencies with locations in 45 states and Canada.

Courtesy of ARA Content

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