Below, we identify and respond to common concerns about in-home care and professional caregivers.
Professional Caregivers Don’t Care About Their Clients
Much like teaching, nursing, social work, and different types of therapy, the caregiving industry tends to attract people who, by nature, care about the welfare of others.
Nurses, therapists and aides are hired, first and foremost, to provide in-home treatment based on a senior’s individual needs. While meeting those care needs, a professional should establish rapport, make the client feel at ease, understand their hesitations and make the experience as comfortable as possible.
Family members are often concerned that professional caregivers are not invested in caring for their loved ones because they are strangers. However, with time, many families find that a genuinely caring relationship blossoms between the two. The best way to ensure this rapport is to take an active role in hiring a home care company and interviewing individual caregivers.
A quality company will help to match a senior’s clinical needs and personality with a caregiver who has the appropriate training and attitude. When interviewing, look for caregivers who are knowledgeable and demonstrate compassion and warmth.
Professional Caregivers Abuse and Steal from Seniors
Many of us have heard stories about patients who were mistreated or who have been victims of theft. For those reasons, some people avoid using outside services entirely. The threat of elder abuse is real but doesn’t mean valuable resources like in-home care should be ruled out. There are preventative measures that can be taken to significantly reduce the risk of any wrongdoing.
Most of these kinds of crimes are committed by unskilled, independent caregivers or sitters who are not hired through a reputable company like Superior Senior Home Care. The best protective measure is to perform your own due diligence when hiring a home care company. Inquire about potential providers’ methods for hiring and screening employees, and ensure they are licensed, bonded, and insured.
Confirm that the company provides regular supervision of its employees and has a meticulous process for responding to and investigating client complaints. Knowing that a company thoroughly vets its caregivers and takes steps to insure against any issues will give you added peace of mind.
In-Home Care Is Only for People Who Are Very Sick
It is true that seniors who have chronic health conditions or are recovering from an illness or operation may receive skilled nursing care at their homes. Medically necessary home health care can cover a wide range of therapeutic services, such as wound care, physical therapy, IV therapy and injections.
However, non-medical in-home care is available for seniors who just need some extra help with personal care and household chores. For example, a relatively healthy individual with arthritis could benefit greatly from assistance with getting around the house, cooking and doing laundry.
Non-medical care often revolves around assisting with activities of daily living (ADLs), such as eating, dressing and bathing. Depending on the situation, a senior may benefit from a combination of both types of in-home services.
I Have No Control Over Who Comes Into the Home
It can be a little unsettling welcoming a professional caregiver into your home, but consumers do have a great deal of control over who will be caring for their loved ones. Hiring a reputable company that allows families to interview individual caregivers before services begin is the best way to ensure a comfortable match.
Finding the right fit requires some up-front work on the company’s part as well. Staff should analyze the senior’s needs and select a caregiver (or two) who is prepared and suited to meet those needs. If at any point you are unhappy or uncomfortable, call the company immediately. They should be willing and able to work with you to find a better fit.
The Quality of Care Provided in the Home is Inferior to Care Provided in Facilities
In-home care is a viable solution for preventing or delaying placement in an assisted living facility or a nursing home. However, it is not intended to replace residential long-term care. Both skilled caregivers and unskilled caregivers receive extensive training in their respective fields before they ever enter a person’s home.
If you’re concerned about the quality of the care your loved one will receive, ask the home care company about their training process and continuing education requirements.
If a Senior Only Needs Help with Personal Care, They Don’t Qualify for Home Care
One of the best aspects of home care is that there is no level of service that is too basic. In fact, many home care companies offer short, specialized visits simply to provide a senior with bathing assistance.
These companies provide care on a spectrum, from companionship services and bath visits to skilled nursing and therapy sessions. Be sure to ask prospective providers what level(s) of care they specialize in and inquire about any minimum hourly requirements.
If a Senior Needs Around-the-Clock Care, Home Care Isn’t an Option
Many companies do provide 24/7 care and live-in care. With around-the-clock care, a company will coordinate a team of caregivers to be awake and able to provide care 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Home Care Is Not Affordable
There are actually many ways for seniors to afford quality care. With options like reverse mortgages, VA benefits, long-term care insurance, and access to state and local programs such as Medicaid, many more families are able to afford quality care for their loved ones.
Most people do not use home care as a 24/7 solution for a prolonged period. Therefore, home care costs are dependent on a senior’s unique needs. A few hours of in-home services twice per week may be the perfect fit for your family and your budget.
I Am the Primary Caregiver so I Don’t Need Additional Help
According to the Harvard Medical School Family Health Guide, no caregiver should ever be on-call 24 hours a day. Even though many family caregivers take it upon themselves to meet all their loved ones’ needs, the physical and mental toll of constantly being “on duty” can be detrimental to a caregiver’s health and that of their loved one.
In fact, the level of exhaustion many caregivers reach can lead to what is commonly called “caregiver burnout.” Everyone—nurses, doctors and family caregivers—needs respite and relief. With home care services, a professional can provide valuable breaks from the rigors of full-time caregiving in the comfort of your own home.
Superior Senior Home Care offers a complimentary consultation with an advisor to help you determine your loved one’s home care needs. To schedule your free consultation, call 805.430.8767 or contact us online.
