When it comes to choosing a private home caregiver for yourself or a loved one, there are many things to take into account. After all, you’ll be inviting them into your home and asking for help with things that can be very personal or uncomfortable. Therefore, you want someone who’ll not only be qualified and professional, but also compassionate and sensitive to your specific needs. So, what questions should families looking for private caregivers ask before they make a final decision?
What Is Private Home Care?
Private home care is when a trained professional, such as a caregiver or nurse, comes to your home to help with things that you (or your loved one) may need extra help with. This can include housekeeping tasks like cleaning and cooking, personal care services such as bathing or dressing, or even medical procedures that require specialist skills and training. This allows someone who’s otherwise independent to stay in their own home for much longer than they might be able to otherwise.
What Qualities Do I Need in a Private Carer?
Different caregivers will have different skills and attributes, and a good agency will pair you with someone who not only has the required qualifications, but is also a compatible personality. For example, do you want someone patient and kind, or more down-to-business? Do you need a bilingual caregiver or someone with knowledge of cultural traditions? Will they need to be physically strong, have a special driving license or enjoy playing board games? At FirstLight, we care about your wellbeing, as well as your health, and take all your preferences into account when matching you with your ideal caregiver.
How Much Care Do Is Needed?
Exactly how often and for how long you need a caregiver will be different for everyone. You may need someone to pop in once a day to help with personal care routines, housework or taking medication. For someone with high care needs, you may need someone to live-in 24 hours a day. Or you may only help occasionally, to allow time-off for a spousal caregiver. Whatever your requirements, you’ll want to use a company that offers flexibility and personalization in their care plans.
Is Long Term or One-Off Care Needed?
Consider how long you are going to require this extra help at home. If it’s short-term, like for surgery rehabilitation or to cover for a family carer that’s going on vacation, then the primary concern will be that the caregiver is qualified and available at that time. On the other hand, if you’re going to need someone regularly or long-term, like when caring for aging parents is needed, you also want someone they can get along with, who understands how they communicate and can adapt as their needs change over time.
Is Home Senior Care Cheaper Than a Nursing Home?
Most people pay for private home care out of pocket, but some services may be covered by insurance – particularly in the cases of veterans or those in government programs like Medicaid and Medicare Advantage. If you’re considering home care, the main thing to take into account is that you should only pay for what you use. FirstLight will work with you to offer tailored and individualized service to provide exactly what you need and choose to have.
Will Your Caregiver Need Special Qualifications?
Some disability or health care services can only be provided by registered nurses or others with specialized training. Some of these include toileting and hygiene care, mobility assistance and transfers, dementia care, wound care, diabetic care and blood sugar testing, catheter and ostomy care, and medication management.
Do You Need Travel Assistance?
Having a disability or condition that requires regular treatment can often be a barrier to traveling or even having a day out. Some caregiving companies, including FirstLight, offer family care services like travel companions to help with everything from physical transportation to managing and treating these conditions while you’re away. This means your loved one will never have to miss out on family fun or special occasions just because they need extra support.
Caregiver Support – FirstLight Home Care
What questions should families looking for private caregivers ask? If you’re not sure where to start, make a list identifying exactly what your needs are. From that, companies like FirstLight will be able to advise you on the best services for you, and pair you with the most compatible carer. Of course, every situation is different, and every individual unique – so if you have more questions, contact our team today for a personalized plan and compassionate, professional support.