If you want to avoid placing your loved one in a nursing home, then in-home health aides might be a good choice. What is a health aide? A health aide is someone who’s trained to care for the elderly and who can do so in the comfort of your loved one’s home.
A benefit of having a health aide help your loved one is that you can create a more individualized care plan. For example, if you and other family members often split your time caring for your loved one, then you can hire a health aide to come when everyone needs a break. You can also create a schedule that includes you, other family members, and the health aide to help free up some time for the family members.
Because the aide will come to your loved one’s home, you won’t have to worry about relocating them into a new environment and causing them to feel uncomfortable. Before you find a health aide to help out, though, you should know how to find the best one for your loved one. In the guide below, you’ll find several tips on how to hire a health aide.
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Table of Contents
1. Know What the Specific Needs Are
There are several different types of in-home care to consider for your loved one. It’s best to know what specific things are needed from the aide before hiring one. You want to be sure the aide you hire can provide you with the health services you require.
For example, are you looking for someone to be a companion to your loved one while you’re not there? Do you need the aide to administer medications, run errands, and keep up with housework? If your loved one has any medical conditions, then you might require a health aide that has proper training in that specific field.
When you’re unsure of what type of help your loved one needs, you can always schedule an assessment to be done with a home care provider.
2. Look Into Caregiver Background Checks
As you start looking into different caregivers, don’t hesitate to complete background checks or ask for proof of a background check. Remember, this person is going to be around your loved one alone. Unfortunately, not everyone is reputable or trustworthy.
The elderly are commonly victims of theft, neglect, or fraud. To prevent your loved one from being a victim, you’ll want to ensure the aide that comes into their home is of good character. Ask the agency to provide you with proof of completed background checks and ask what their background-check procedure is.
Only choose someone you trust so you can have peace of mind while away.
3. Ask About Caregiver Training and Experience
What type of certifications or training does a caregiver need to have in order to work for an agency? For example, someone who’s certified in First Aid and CPR might be a better choice for you. If an emergency were to happen while the caregiver is there, then they’ll know exactly how to handle the situation.
Speak with the agency about all the requirements their caregivers must meet. Then, ask about their experience. It’s good to have a caregiver who has several years of experience working with and caring for the elderly.
4. Schedule Meet and Greets With Caregivers
Sometimes, the only way to determine who’s a good fit for your loved one is to conduct an interview. You should interview a few different caregivers to find the one you like best. There might be many great, qualified caregivers to choose from but only one that seems to be compatible with your loved one and the rest of the family as well.
Keep in mind, this person will be spending a lot of time around your loved one. It’s not uncommon for caregivers to eventually become part of the family. If the caregiver and your loved one don’t get along well, then it can cause unnecessary stress for everyone.
Take your time and interview each potential health aide. Create a list of questions to ask each one and go from there.
5. Check Reviews and Ask for References
Before you purchase something you’ve never bought before, you look at the reviews. Before you hire a health aide, you should look at the reviews and ask for references. You may be able to find reviews on the agency’s website.
Then, contact the agency and ask if they can send you any references for you to call. If they can, then call each one and ask any questions you might have. They’ll be able to give you some insight into what to expect from the health aide.
Read more here about finding a reputable and trustworthy agency.
6. Inquire About Payment
One of the last things to consider is the cost of services. Be sure to have the health aide sit down with you and go over all of the costs of their services. It’s ideal to have this in writing as well.
Be sure to wait until after you’ve considered all other factors first and have narrowed your search down to your top three or so choices before inquiring about the cost. When it comes to your loved one, you want to ensure you find a health aide who cares about your loved one and offers fair or affordable prices.
Are In-Home Health Aides the Right Decision For You?
Do you believe in-home health aides could help you and your loved one? Use all of the information given in this guide above to guide you throughout your decision-making process.
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