Your 78-year-old mother has asked you for a helper to come into the home a few times every week to help with meal preparation, light housekeeping, and grocery shopping. As old age and arthritis have affected her ability to perform these daily tasks comfortably, you may realize that hiring a suitable in-home caregiver can be a good decision. It will help you maintain your work schedule besides ensuring there is someone reliable available to assist your mother during weekdays.
You are excited about the prospect of some additional help but may be unsure of how to hire the most suitable in-house caregiver. While many reputable home-care agencies like attention2care are available, you may be confused by news stories of such caregivers who are abusive or completely unsupervised. Therefore, researching in-home care service providers that best meet your requirements can help ensure your loved ones are safe and well-cared for by a caregiver.
- Assess Your Requirements
In-home help varies from companion care, elderly or patient nursing to helping someone with a debilitating health condition in light housekeeping. While you may be unsure of the best home care for your loved one, an initial assessment visit from such a service provider can help determine what care can suit your particular condition.
- Use a Reputable Agency
Some caregivers hire a professional directly to get the desired home care instead of recruiting someone through an in-home agency. Although a direct hire may be cost-friendly, it is vital to hire someone through an agency that will keep you hassle-free because you will act as an employer and the company will be responsible for everything related to recruitment.
- Check Caregiver Background & Training
It is crucial to be picky about who you can let a caregiver stay with your elderly. When working with agencies, make sure they do background checks for their in-home care providers and how they do so. Also, inquire about in-home service providers’ training and certifications. Trust your gut and look for someone else if you do not feel comfortable with a specific home care agency’s screening procedure.
The author, Dr. David K Simson is a trained radiation oncologist specializing in advanced radiation techniques such as intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT), volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) / Rapid Arc, stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT), stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT), stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). He is also experienced in interstitial, intracavitary, and intraluminal brachytherapy.
