There are many reasons why seniors may need in-home care. Although your loved one may be able to do their own thing, they might need assistance for temporary reasons. You may have been the main “helper” to your parents in running errands and cooking meals. You may feel your loved one is unsafe if they have dementia.

Angels Private Home Care Services
Office 13, jubilee house, East Beach,  Lytham Saint Annes FY8 5FT, United Kingdom
01253 834003, 07923 236 775

Finding help may not be possible if you are the primary caregiver who provides in-home senior care for your loved one. To be a great caregiver for your loved ones, you need to be in good physical and mental health. This means taking time to recharge your batteries each week, and occasionally going on vacation.

It is important to be able to rest assured that your loved ones are safe and well taken care of while you are away. You have plenty of time to look into the available help in your area and select the one that meets your needs. You will need immediate assistance if your parent is injured, fractured, or needs emergency surgery. This will mean you won’t have time. If you don’t live in the same place as your loved one, this can make it more difficult.

These are some tips to help you find caregivers close to your parent.

  1. Talk to your doctor. You can ask your loved one’s primary doctor for help determining what kind of support they might need. They may require physical therapy and assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) if they have to undergo surgery. Your doctor should be able give you a list with agencies that can assist you in preparing for your loved one’s return home from surgery.
  2. Ask your friends, family, and coworkers. Ask your friends and family if they have ever used an agency for in-home senior care. You can get firsthand reviews from them about what they liked and disliked about the agency. This is especially useful if your loved one has dementia or Parkinson’s disease.
  3. Hospital discharge planner. When there is an emergency or surgery that requires hospital admission, the hospital discharge planner will be involved. The discharge planner is invaluable if this was an unexpected hospital stay. It will help you plan and locate resources before your senior comes home. You have very little time to prepare as Medicare only allows for certain types of hospitalizations. Sometimes it seems like a very short time and there are many decisions that must be made quickly.
  4. AARP. AARP is the most well-known advocate for seniors and caregivers. If you’re thinking about in-home senior care, the AARP website can be a good starting point. The website lists the various services available and asks the questions you need to get the best answers from the agencies.
  5. The Church has a volunteer program that provides companion care for just a few hours per week. It is often free and allows the caregiver to help with chores like grocery shopping or to provide companion care for their own personal needs such as a haircut or dental checkup.
  6. Medicare. Visit the official U.S. government Medicare site. This website has a lot of useful information, including a list listing of Medicare-certified agencies within your locality. This is especially helpful if the goal of a senior is homecare near me.

It is a huge step for you and your loved one to accept in-home senior care. You, as the primary caregiver, will have to give up some independence and privacy for your loved one. Allow your loved one and you to adjust.

Remember that your senior must feel comfortable with the caregiver who enters the home to care for them. Sometimes, even the most qualified caregiver may have personality conflicts with your senior. That’s okay. It’s okay to request a new caregiver. It is important to find someone your senior feels comfortable with and who can provide the care required.