How to Find a Personal Caregiver for Your Elderly Parents
Written by:
Jeffrey Grossman
Published:
September 10, 2020
Do you have a loved one that needs a little extra assistance? If so, then you need to find a caregiver that can offer them the help that they need.
The most important thing is finding one that lines up with your personal preferences and your loved one's needs. There are several things that you can look for to ensure you're hiring the right personal caregiver for them.Looking for home health care is important, but it can be overwhelming. Use this guide to find out how you can find the right assistance for your loved one, which will give you the peace of mind that you're searching for.
1. Consider the Needs They Have
There are many reasons why your loved one might need an at-home caregiver. They might need help showering, toileting, grooming, walking, or remembering things throughout the day.Hiring a personal caregiver can help you ensure that their needs are being met even when you're at work, doing things with the family, or running errands. But finding a caregiver for an elderly parent starts by assessing the different needs they have.Once you determine what those needs are, you can hire elderly care to meet those needs. The question then becomes how to get a home care nurse with the experience that you need.For example, if your loved one has Alzheimer's Disease, you'll want to find a caregiver with experience handling Alzheimer's patients. Commonwise caregivers, for example, are all trained with certification programs with an emphasis on Alzheimer's.
2. Consider the Chemistry
The chemistry between yourself, the caregiver, and your loved one is of vital importance. The better you and your loved one get along with the caregiver you hire, the more successful the experience will be.Be sure to take the time and have your loved one meet with any potential caregiver that you're considering. Take notice of whether they gel together or not, as well as whether you have natural chemistry with them or not.There are many times where you'll find yourself contacting the caregiver for updates on your loved one. The better chemistry you have with them, the more you'll stay in touch.Also, your loved one and their caregiver will be spending considerable time together each day, if not with 24-hour in-home care. For that reason, you'll want to make sure they get along and have a common interest or two. If you're able to find one that meshes well with your loved one, then they'll be able to build a level of trust with each other.
3. Hire a Home Caregiver Agency
If the needs of your loved one are significant, then they'll need 24-hour in-home care to make sure they're protected at all hours of the day/night. If that's the case, then you should consider hiring a personal care service, rather than just one or two caregivers.A caregiver agency will have personal services that can help your loved one in a variety of ways. They can help them with exercising, feeding, grooming, bathing, and whatever else they might need.They'll also offer a different range of services, which can be catered to fit your loved one's need for assistance. For example, they can provide hospice care, post-surgical care, and total care to name a few.
4. Find Common Hobbies
Perhaps your loved one is passionate about golf. They eat, sleep, and breathe everything that has to do with the sport. If so, then you'll want to find a caregiver that shares that common interest.This way they can start to build a natural friendship that stems from the common hobby, rather than just a professional caregiver-to-patient relationship.You might also welcome the idea of the caregivers presenting their hobbies to your loved one. For example, they can show them some of their favorite TV shows to watch or a hobby that they enjoy doing.Even something as small as puzzle-solving can start the path to a beautiful friendship between your loved one and their caregiver. Be sure to try and find common interests in the initial meeting with the personal caregiver that you hire.
5. Think Long-Term When Hiring an At-Home Caregiver
Many people struggle with the idea of initially placing their loved one's well-being into the hands of someone else. It can be hard to deal with the guilt you might face during this time.However, it's important to remember the bigger picture. Your loved one is going to need more and more care as they get older. They'll need constant care, which isn't possible when you go to your job and run errands for your family.If you find yourself reluctant to pass the baton to an at-home caregiver, remember that it's in the best interest of your loved one for the long haul. As their health continues to decline, a professionally-trained caregiver will be there to provide the best care.The caregiver that you hire will be understanding of your wish to stay as involved as possible. They'll be sure to give you frequent updates on your loved one and accommodate any preferences that you have on your loved one's daily routine.
Find a Personal Caregiver for Your Loved One Today
Now that you've seen several different ways to find a personal caregiver for your loved one, it's time to start that process.Be sure to read this article on how to cope with demanding elderly parents if you need a few bits of advice.Read more about our at home care services or call our Care Team today at 434.202.8565.
Disclaimer: Please check with your physician before making any changes to your diet, exercise, or medication routine.