AdminYou may have come to a point in your life when you are faced with some decisions about caring for an elderly family member. Many families who live in close proximity share that blessing of caring for another; however, for those who live some distance away, there are choices to make that will affect the livelihood and comfort of your aged parent.
Before you embark on the mission of finding a qualified caregiver, here are a few tips to help make the process a little easier:
Research to Find the Right Senior Caregiver
You know best the personality of your aging loved one, and the type of care they need and you want them to have. Make sure that you find a caregiver who fits that picture. If you aren’t able to research, and interview to find the ideal candidate, then consider having an agency assist. Some agencies provide caregivers for short-term or long-term care. Evaluate the process used by the agency and determine if that agency will meet your needs.
Methods of Paying for the Senior Caregiver
There are numerous ways of paying for the services of a caregiver for seniors, and using an agency sometimes makes the process easier, because they can explain and assist with the process.
If your loved one has insurance, they will file it along with Medicaid and Medicare. Any overages will come out of the loved one’s estate or the family. Understanding local programs of assistance may reveal additional senior caregiver programs that might be available. Talk with your county’s Commission on Aging, adult social services, or similar office, and perhaps your attorney.
You are Hiring an Employee
If you decide not to use a home care service, and you hire a caregiver on your own, you have become an employer. This may be an employee in complete definition, or as an independent contractor. Regardless, make sure you understand the local, state, and federal laws associated with hiring someone to provide home care for your loved one.
Caregivers can Specialize
You, of course, want someone who will treat your loved one with respect, but also someone who has the experience necessary to be effective. Make sure the caregiver is knowledgeable in the special areas that your loved on needs help. In advance, prepare a list of what you believe to be necessary for the care you’d like to provide, so that you can determine the best person for the position.
Caregivers are faced with a difficult task, which requires just the right person. Family members are not always the ideal person to manage this responsibility. When you can’t be there for your family member, you will want the person you hire to exhibit trustworthy qualities, a loving nature, and great fortitude. caregiver agencies