How to Find a Live-In Caregiver for the Elderly
As we age, the need for assistance and care naturally grows. For those of us who do not wish to submit our elders to the care of a residential facility, live-in care is an excellent alternative. Live-in care allows seniors to remain in their homes and to retain the dignity they crave and deserve. Live-in elder care is for senior citizens who require assistance 24 hours a day. The assistance given is usually non-medical in nature. It includes shopping, aid with the activities of daily living, and the management of medications.
For as long as live-in care is medically possible, it offers an optimal balance between the desired quality of life and the practical needs of our elders. The benefits include:
- Improved safety
- Daily exercise
- Better nutrition
- Better medication management
- Social interaction & family involvement
- Reduced stress
Live-in care is for anyone who is in a state of recovery from surgery or illness. It is for anyone with limited mobility or who has become isolated. Live-in care is for anyone who is feeling overwhelmed by the needs of self-care and daily living. It can be a great help for elders living far from family and friends or who are suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s.
Hiring Live-in Care
Determining when in-home or live-in care is needed can be difficult. Too often, families will wait until an accident or medical emergency occurs. Providing our elders with in-home care can be the most effective way to prevent such incidents and to improve their overall quality of life. If you believe you or your elder may be in need of live-in care, consider the following.
Does the individual require help with any of the following?
- Personal care: Eating, bathing, grooming, toileting
- Health care: Medication management, physical therapy, doctor’s appointment
- Home care: Cleaning, cooking, shopping, laundry
- Mental/Emotional care: Socialization, activity, companionship
Hiring live-in care can take the stress and worry out of aging and ease the minds of those who need care as well as those who love them. Sometimes, our elders will ask the family to provide the needed care themselves. The idea of inviting a stranger into one’s home can be frightening, especially as we age and begin to become frailer.
But a qualified caregiver will be experienced, educated, and accountable to you and to the organization that recommends them to you. A live-in caregiver will enable the family of an elder to maintain their own responsibilities and to know that he or she is safe and well cared for.
Finding the Right Caregiver
When you decide the time is right to hire a live-in caregiver you have two options. You can work with an agency that hires professional caregivers or you can search for a private caregiver. Your choice will determine the level of training your caregiver will have, her or his reputation, and the quality of their work.
Your first step should be to determine the level of care that is needed. The more infirm or frail the receiver of care is, the more experienced and qualified the caregiver will need to be. The highest level of in-home care will include direct assistance with bathing, feeding, changing, the use of medical devices and medications, and more.
In the early stages, housecleaning, shopping, and other basic tasks may be all that is required. But in time, the needs of our elders will grow, and a more highly trained and experienced caregiver will be needed.
How Live-in Care Works
A good place to start is to determine the amount of daily care needed. The three options include:
- Live-in Care: A caregiver will take up effective full or part-time residence, with her or his own accommodations to provide round-the-clock care
- 24-Hour Care: Multiple caregivers take shifts to cover all the recipient’s needs
- Overnight/Daytime Care: A single or primary caregiver will stay overnight and provide care for morning and evening needs until her or his shift has ended
Next, determine what kinds of care and aid will be required. These include personal care, aid with daily living, companionship, and finally- nursing services.
The costs of services will depend on the needs of your elder. Prices range between $1,000 and $5,000 per month on average. You and your caregiver and/or hiring agency will determine the terms and conditions of service, discuss the needs of the care recipient, and develop a comprehensive care plan based on medical and general needs.
Would like to know more about Live-In Care? Contact us today.
Categorised in: In-home care