Whether for yourself or a loved one, finding a senior home care provider to work with is an important task that should not be treated lightly. You should meet with potential caregivers in-person to get to know their personalities, their work ethics, and their temperament. You also need to know exactly what services they offer before you agree to sign any service contracts. Here are some important services any reliable senior home care provider should be able to offer:
Companion Assistance
A senior home care provider should act as a companion and offer assistance in a variety of ways that make getting through the day a little easier and less stressful. The caregiver should be able and willing to run basic errands, do some grocery shopping, plan (and prepare) some meals for the week, get a load of laundry done when necessary, do a little light housekeeping, and even provide reminders to take medication throughout the day. These are important services, especially if access to family and friend support is limited.
Personal Care
If chronic healthcare problems or disabilities are present, personal care service is a necessity and can help ensure a sense of independence. Personal care from a home care provider typically includes services such as helping to get dressed, personal grooming assistance, and medication distribution. The idea is to make sure that health and safety remain a priority as time goes on. These care services are usually offered daily or every other day depending on the patient's specific needs.
Respite Services
Every care provider, even if it's a close family member, needs a break from caregiving occasionally. Breaks are necessary for personal errands and appointments and self-care. Respite care is when a senior home care provider will relieve a friend or family member from their caregiving duties on a scheduled basis to provide the personal caregiver the space that they need to live their own lives and keep their own mind and body healthy. Respite care may just a couple of hours each week or month, a full day each week, or even a full week out of a month.
Schedule an in-home consultation appointment with prospective senior home care providers—such as Specialty Home Care—so you have an opportunity to find out about the services they offer and how those services are priced. From there, you should be able to decide which provider will best meet your care and budgeting needs in the coming months.