5 Tips To Finding the Right Home Care For Your Elderly Loved One

Everyone wants to age gracefully, but have you ever wondered what it really means? As you get older or have a senior loved one, you’ll start thinking of this question more often. Aging is a natural part of life, but it comes with unique challenges — not just for the seniors themselves but for their families as well. One of the most pressing concerns for family caregivers is how to provide the care and support elderly loved ones need while allowing them to maintain their cherished independence.

Nowadays, people are constantly juggling their careers, family, and personal life, and the importance of home care for the elderly has never been more evident. Thankfully, home care agencies, like Amy’s Eden, are there to support struggling family caregivers unable to prioritize their loved one’s care needs due to other obligations.

The process of choosing home care for your elderly loved one can be overwhelming. Read more to learn about what home care is, its benefits, the types of services available, how to choose the right provider, and the steps involved in setting up home care.

Understanding Home Health Care Services

Home health care services involve a broad range of medical and non-medical assistance provided to seniors in the comfort of their own homes. This type of care offers numerous benefits, including personalized care, the comfort of familiar surroundings, and a plethora of services to support your loved one’s independence at home. It encompasses assistance with daily activities, companionship, and medication management.

Different Types of Home Health Care Services Available

Depending on your needs, there are different types of home healthcare services you can choose from. These may include:

• Companionship: Mental health problems are prevalent among the elderly, with as many as 13.5% of the older adults requiring home healthcare suffering from depression. Companionship caregivers provide social interaction, engage seniors in hobbies and activities, and offer emotional support to combat loneliness and isolation.
• Homemaking services: The support includes assistance with tasks like light housekeeping, meal preparation, and grocery shopping. By helping seniors maintain a clean and organized home, caregivers contribute to the overall comfort, safety, and health of seniors.
• Personal care assistance: Personal care assistance involves help with daily living activities, such as bathing, dressing, and toileting. This service ensures that seniors can comfortably manage their personal care needs.
• Skilled nursing care: Some seniors with high care demands may insist on recuperating at home. This service is vital for those with complex medical needs. Skilled nurses can help your senior relative actively manage chronic diseases, ensure proper medication administration, and help with wound care. Skilled nurses play a vital role in maintaining the health and overall well-being of seniors with specific medical requirements.

Factors to Consider When Deciding on Home Care for The Elderly

When deciding whether home care is the right choice for your senior loved one, consider these key factors:

Health condition

Consult with a healthcare professional so they can properly assess your elderly loved one’s health status and medical needs. The assessment will determine the level of care required so they can thrive at home.

Availability of family caregivers

Many adult children assume the role of family caregivers for their loved ones for several reasons. Some may want to provide hands-on care, while others might not have the financial resources to pay for the services. Determine if other family members are available to provide care at certain times of the day. Otherwise, hire a part-time or around-the-clock professional assistance.

Cost implications

Understand the financial aspects of home care, including insurance coverage and potential out-of-pocket expenses. If your relative needs long-term care, talk with a senior care advisor to get ideas on how to financially sustain care.

Home environment

Is your home environment senior-friendly? Consider the home’s suitability for your elderly loved one’s safety and accessibility. It should be supportive of a home health care setting. Modifications may be necessary depending on their needs.

Choosing the Right Home Health Care Agency

Deciding on the right home health care agency is a vital step in ensuring quality care for your elderly loved one. Reputable agencies hire trained and compassionate caregivers, conduct thorough background checks, and maintain a high standard of care. You’ll need your research skills in this aspect to weigh your options and choose an agency with a solid reputation.

Questions to Ask When Evaluating Home Care Agencies

To whittle down your options, here are some questions you can ask potential agencies:

• Are your caregivers licensed, trained, and insured?
  This question ranks at the top since confirming caregivers are licensed, trained, and insured guarantees a higher level of professionalism, competence, and accountability.
• What services do you offer?
  Having knowledge of the range of services they offer ensures your loved one will receive the care and assistance they need at the right times.
• How do you handle emergencies?
  Knowing what their emergency protocols are will give you peace of mind in case of unexpected situations. This question is particularly vital if a loved one has been in and out of the hospital due to their health conditions.
• Do you have references that we can contact?
  Speaking with other clients or families will give you valuable insights into the agency’s overall reliability and performance. You can expect to hear good reviews from satisfied clients. Otherwise, you must move on and find a different home care agency.

Tips for Finding the Right Fit for Your Loved One

Finding the right agency fit for your elderly loved one is crucial because you’ll build a relationship with their caregiver. Sometimes, you’ll work with them for years. Hence, you’ll need to consider your loved one’s needs, wants, and preferences. For example, they might want a female caregiver instead of a male. Here are other tips:

Involve your loved one

Always include your loved one in the decision-making process as much as possible. After all, they’re the ones who’ll be receiving the care, so they need to be comfortable and satisfied with the chosen caregiver. Ask what their preferences are and give them options to choose from.

Check Compatibility

If you hire from an agency, they’ll typically send someone who fits your relative’s preferences. But you still have the option to request another caregiver if your loved one isn’t satisfied or comfortable working with the caregivers. They may want someone with a certain personality.

Check reviews and reputation

Head over to Google or social media to read client reviews and talk to families who’ve received care from the agency. What do they have to say? If they can vouch for the high quality of care service, you’re set on the right path.

Evaluate communication

Communication is a two-way street, and it’s essential when working with a home care agency. Evaluate if they’re attentive and responsive to your questions and concerns. If they are, it’s a good sign you’re about to make a good decision.

Monitor regularly

Frequently assess the quality of care provided by the agency’s caregiver. You can ask your loved one how their caregiver is doing and performing and whether their needs are met on time. Make adjustments as necessary to ensure your loved one’s continued comfort and safety.

How to Set Up Home Care for Elderly Loved Ones

Setting up home care services for loved ones is advantageous for them and for you. You don’t have to worry whether your loved one has eaten or taken their meds if they have a home caregiver. For your loved one, they can receive the necessary care to stay autonomous and self-sufficient.

Steps Involved in Setting Up Home Health Care Services

Setting up home health care for your elderly loved one involves several steps, including:

Initial assessment

It starts with your doctor determining the level of care your loved one needs to thrive at home. This assessment will consider their overall health condition, mobility, and other specific medical needs. The evaluation will give you an idea of the type of care services you should get. For instance, if your loved one has diabetes, you must work with a caregiver who has knowledge of nutrition and meal preparation.

Care plan development

Following the assessment, a personalized care plan will then be created. This plan will outline the specific services your loved one needs — it can range from companionship care, home maintenance, and assistance with daily activities to skilled nursing care.

Caregiver matching

Once your loved one’s needs are identified, a caregiver or nurse will then be carefully selected to match their unique care requirements. These skilled professionals become the primary caregivers, providing essential care to ensure your loved one’s comfort and well-being.

Understanding the Role of a Care Coordinator or Case Manager

A care coordinator or case manager plays an important role in home health care. These dedicated professionals will serve as the central point of contact for families, offering guidance, reassurance, and support throughout the caregiving journey.

Beyond acting as a liaison between the family and healthcare providers, they also assess the senior’s ongoing needs, including tracking progress, monitoring their health status, and identifying any necessary adjustments to the care plan. Care coordinators ensure the services provided align with your loved ones’ needs.

Care coordinators mainly help with care logistics, as their job is to get the necessary care services, even those that are hard to access, without wasting your time and effort and at no extra cost. They can either be a nurse, social worker, or office staff who can do tasks like scheduling, arranging, and overseeing the care services necessary for your loved one’s recovery or health maintenance.

Creating a Personalized Care Plan for the Individual’s Specific Needs

One of the biggest advantages of home health care is personalization. Care plans are not “one-size-fits-all”; they’re fully customized to match each senior’s unique health needs, mobility, and emotional state. Plus, this individualized approach continues throughout the recovery journey. The doctor conducts regular assessments to modify the care plan to correspond to the senior’s existing needs and circumstances.

Financial Assistance for Home Care

The “Can we afford it?” line is a common concern many families have when it comes to financing health care. If you’ve asked the same question, know many financial assistance options are available to help you cover the cost of your loved one’s care.

Understanding your options, including insurance coverage and government programs, can help ease the financial burden on you and your family.

Medicare and Medicaid Coverage for Home Care Services

Medicare and Medicaid are federal programs that can help cover some home health care services costs. But, note that their coverage and eligibility criteria differ:

• Medicare coverage: Typically, Medicare covers short-term, medically necessary care for seniors. This includes skilled nursing care, physical therapy, and some medical equipment. To qualify, a senior must meet specific eligibility criteria, and the care must be ordered by a physician. Learn more about Medicare home health care coverage here.
• Medicaid coverage: On the other hand, Medicaid provides assistance based on financial eligibility. While it does cover a wider range of home health care services, eligibility is primarily determined by the individual’s assets and income. Medicaid often covers long-term care at home for those who meet the financial requirements. Learn more about Medicaid home health care coverage here.

Other Potential Sources of Financial Assistance for Seniors

Aside from Medicare and Medicaid, there are other sources of financial assistance seniors and their families can explore:

• Veterans’ benefits: Veterans and their spouses may be eligible for Geriatrics and Extended Care or VA Aid and Attendance Benefits and Housebound Allowance. These programs provide financial assistance to veterans who need help with daily activities or are housebound due to disability or illness.
• Long-term care insurance: Seniors who have bought long-term care insurance policies may be able to use these policies to cover home health care costs. Talk to your insurance provider to know the terms of your insurance.
• Community-based programs: Many local and community organizations help seniors in need. These programs provide financial aid or access to discounted home care services. Usually, community-based programs are a great resource for seniors who aren’t qualified for other assistance programs.

Support Programs for Seniors and Caregivers

While caring for an elderly loved one can be rewarding, it can also be very challenging. Family caregivers often have to shoulder the brunt of such a huge responsibility, resulting in caregiver stress and burnout.

If you’re one of those who volunteered to become a caregiver, check out support programs that can help both you and your senior loved one. These programs offer a broad range of resources, information, and a sense of community, providing a much-needed lifeline for caregivers and seniors.

Types of Support Programs Available and Their Benefits

Different types of support programs offer benefits for seniors and caregivers. As the role is physically and mentally demanding, having a community of other caregivers to share your story or hardships with can be uplifting.

• Support groups: National and local caregiver support groups provide a safe haven for individuals caring for seniors. Here, you can share your experiences, exchange advice, and offer and receive emotional support. These groups foster a sense of belonging and understanding among caregivers, helping them navigate the challenges they face.
• Respite care services: If you need a break from caregiving duties, you can tap agencies for backup and respite care services. Respite caregivers provide relief by temporarily stepping in to care for your senior mom or dad. It gives you time to rest, recharge, and tend to your own well-being.

How to Access and Utilize Support Programs Effectively

Here are some key reminders to help you access and make the most out of support programs:

• Do your research: Start by conducting a simple online search or reaching out to local healthcare providers, senior centers, or organizations dedicated to senior care. These resources can guide you to relevant support programs in your area.
• Be proactive. Take an active role in looking for support programs that align with your needs and preferences. It’s the only way for you to find a group where you can comfortably belong.
• Participate actively: Once you’ve joined a support program, make sure you participate actively. Attend workshops, meetings, and support group sessions regularly. The more engaged you are, the more you can benefit from the program.

Home Care Services Can Help Your Loved One Thrive at Home

Choosing home health care is a great way to help your elderly loved ones spend their golden years at the place they feel most comfortable — home. The key to thriving is giving them personalized care in a comfortable, familiar setting.

To make this possible, choose the right agency, involve your loved one in decision-making, and keep an eye on things.

Finally, if you have concerns about the cost, research financial assistance options you can tap into. Government- and local-funded programs like Medicare may help pay for your senior loved one’s care.

Amy’s Eden offers home care services at an affordable cost so your loved one can stay independent in their own home. We have friendly and respectful caregivers you’ll be happy to work with. Find a reliable caregiver or visit our website to start your search.