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May 4, 2018 by Kirk Brechbiel

Struggling Over Hiring a Professional Caregiver? Read This First!

Hiring a professional caregiver to care full or part time for an aging loved one can come with some obstacles to overcome. Mostly these obstacles have to do with adjusting to the new dynamic of having someone else care for someone you love.

If you’re new on this journey, the following information should help put you at ease and give you confidence that hiring a professional caregiver to help with the very important task of caring for a senior adult can be one of the best decisions you ever make.

When’s the right time to hire a professional caregiver?

The answer is simple – it’s sooner than you think. By the time most people come to the conclusion that they need a professional caregiver to help their situation, they are usually pretty stressed out and in over their head. Or worse yet, there’s been an accident that could have been avoided if a caregiver had been there.

Finding the right caregiver and adjusting to this new relationship takes time, likely more than you think. Even if your aging loved one is showing no signs of needing an in-home caregiver just yet, it’s worth exploring the options for when they do. Reach out to your local businesses, ask for recommendations and ask questions. You’ll be glad you started the process early!

How can you trust someone with such an important job?

This is a fair question. Trusting someone to care for your loved one the way you would can be a challenge. You can and should do everything you can to learn about your potential caregivers. Interview them, ask questions and get to know their personal style. The fact is they are not you, and will never care for your loved one exactly as you would. However, their way can be equally as good – or even better if you consider that by them caring for your senior parent, this reduces the burden on you.

Trust takes time. You should allow the caregiver to adjust to their new environment and learn the routine. Don’t judge things based on the first few weeks. It’s a learning experience for everyone. All parties need a little grace to adjust to the new dynamic – that includes you, the caregiver and the person for whom they are caring. If something bothers you, speak up! If you have a question, ask it! This is the only way you will build trust and form a relationship with the caregiver.

What’s the real cost?

One of the first thoughts that might come to mind when considering a professional caregiver is “What is this going to cost?” or “Can we afford this?” This is a natural mindset to have, but it’s so important to shift this mindset a bit. Rather, ask yourself “What is proper care for my loved one worth to me?” and “What’s the value of my peace of mind?” Yours answers to these two questions will really change the way you look at the cost of a professional caregiver.

Quality care does not come cheap. Nor should it! It’s an investment in the health and wellbeing of someone you love deeply. Families who choose to hire a professional caregiver may have to readjust financially to make it possible, but it’s a small sacrifice to be able to fully enjoy time with your loved one again. Simply put, a professional caregiver allows parents and their children to maintain this relationship without the added stress and burden of caregiving.

Are you or someone you know facing the challenge of finding the right caregiver to care for an aging loved one? We can help answer your questions! Reach out to Ella Home Care today.

Filed Under: Blog, Caregiver Tagged With: aging, care, caregiver, elderly, in home care, parent, personal care, professional, senior adult

September 6, 2017 by Kirk Brechbiel

A Healthcare Professional’s View of Home Care

Susan Severino

Susan Severino is the owner of Severino Health Advisors, where she is an independent health advocate who works to represent the interests of the patient and their family. Her work as an Independent Health Advocate grew out of a need to help patients get the care they deserve and to also alleviate the stress and anxiety this often places on the family.

In the last 10 years, Susan has dedicated much of her time to caring for her aging parents. During that time, she learned ways to help her parents and others get the care they needed. Her personal experience caring for her parents, combined with more than 30 years in the healthcare industry makes Susan a wealth of knowledge when it comes to navigating the decision to use a home care agency to care for an aging loved one.

Ella Home Care talked with Susan to ask her a few key questions about her experience. What played a role in her decision to hire a professional caregiver to assist her in caring for her mother? What challenges or hesitations has she faced? Read on to learn more!

Ella Home Care: In your opinion, what are the benefits of using outside home care over taking care of your mother yourself?

Susan Severino: For me, one of the largest benefits was the peace of mind hiring a professional caregiver brought to my family. I regained the ability to work and live a normal life, while knowing my mother was in great care. It is also extremely convenient to have someone come to the home. Our caregivers are my eyes and ears to everything going on throughout the day and they can pick up on subtle changes taking place. Most importantly, a caregiver is reliable companionship for my mother.

EHC: How would you compare the benefits of home care over an assisted living community?

SS: My mother spent some time in an assisted living community, but did very poorly. With Dementia, she shuts down and becomes disoriented in an unfamiliar environment. She does best when she is in her home with one-on-one care.

EHC: What are the drawbacks to home care?

SS: The big question you have to answer is can you financially afford it? You are also welcoming someone into your home which can place you or your loved one in a vulnerable position if you don’t fully trust the person. There is less oversight to ensure a caregiver is administering proper care when you’re not there.

EHC: What are the signs that a loved one may need home care?

SS: I most commonly see a family transitioning into hiring a professional caregiver after a parent has experienced a fall or injury that makes it clear they need outside help on a regular basis. If you notice they cannot perform simple household tasks alone, such as cook a meal, clean the house or bathe, then it’s time to consider hiring a professional caregiver.

EHC: From a healthcare perspective, do you find many insurance policies cover home care?

SS: In certain instances, Long Term Care Insurance can pay for home care, but not everyone purchases a LTC policy. Another option could be a Medicaid waiver which provides money for care. However, in many circumstances I see the family pay out of pocket for these expenses. When you know it’s the best option for care for a loved one, you do what you have to do to make it work.

EHC: What are some of the biggest hesitations people have about home care?

SS: People often stress over whether they feel like they can trust an outside person to come into their home and properly care for a loved one. Have they been properly screened? Are they compassionate with their care? What if my parent develops a relationship with them and they take another job? My best advice is to listen to your instincts. Even if your home care company has fully vetted someone, do your job to screen them too! If you have any hesitations, request someone else. It’s important you know and trust the person caring for your loved one.

Are you considering home care for an aging loved one? Share what you have taken into consideration when making this decision.

Filed Under: Blog, Caregiver, Home Care Tagged With: aging, assisted living, caregiver, dementia, health, healthcare, home care, mother, parent, peace of mind, safety, senior, severino health advisors, susan severino, trust

August 14, 2017 by Kirk Brechbiel

6 Signs Your Loved One Needs a Professional Caregiver

As a loved one grows older, it may be difficult to tell exactly when they need additional care from an outside source. At first, it may just seem like a few fluke accidents or moments of forgetfulness. However, these incidents can become more frequent and dangerous for your loved one.

Many families wish they would have spotted the signs of needing a professional caregiver sooner. Here are some key indications that may signal the need for professional care for your loved one.

  1. Forgetting to take medications

There can be dire consequences from not taking medications as prescribed. If your loved one repeatedly forgets to take medications without assistance or reminders, they may benefit from a professional caregiver who can take on this responsibility.

  1. Feeling lonely or depressed

If your loved one lives alone, he or she may feel lonely and isolated, especially if they cannot easily get out to do things. Your other responsibilities, like your job and caring for your children, may keep you from visiting as often as you’d like. The solution could be a professional caregiver who can offer companionship on a daily basis.

  1. Missing events and appointments

A difficulty with moving around, combined with increasing forgetfulness may result in your loved one missing doctor appointments and social events. This is a sign that a professional caregiver can offer assistance to help them keep track of their calendar and get them to these commitments safely.

  1. Difficulty keeping up with household tasks

Have you noticed the house growing increasingly cluttered and dirty? This may be a sign that your loved one cannot adequately keep up with cleaning and repairs. With a professional caregiver, your loved one can continue to stay in their home, but without the burden of managing all the chores.

  1. Mismanagement of finances

Forgetfulness and confusion can be a recipe for disaster when it comes to managing finances. Watch for signs of unpaid bills, missing money and unbalanced checkbooks. A professional caregiver provides daily oversight to assist your loved one with their finances and can be your second set of eyes to alert you of anything that seems concerning.

  1. Needs daily or weekly medical treatments

Regular medical treatments means your loved one will need consistent transportation to and from those appointments. You may not be able to accommodate this schedule due to work and family. A professional caregiver can assist in this area, being a reliable set of helping hands to ensure your loved one receives the medical treatments he or she needs.

Do you have a question about the signs of needing a professional caregiver? Or do you have another sign to add to the list? Share your thoughts by leaving a comment.

Filed Under: Blog, Caregiver Tagged With: aging, caregiver, caring compassionate, dad, elderly, ella home care, health, mom, parent, professional, safety, senior

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