Bringing in a professional caregiver can help your senior loved one remain at home.
You may be worried that your senior loved one is not managing in his own home the way he did when he was younger and stronger. If he is not as self-sufficient as he used to be, that does not mean it is necessary to institutionalize him; instead, he may be able to remain comfortable and happy at home with some assistance. There are professionals and agencies dedicated to providing home assistance for senior citizens.
Define Needs
Determine whether your loved one needs health care, such as assistance with medications, special equipment or wound care. Your loved one may need help with personal care, such as bathing, dressing, eating and toileting. Your loved one may need transportation--to doctors' appointments, to social engagements, to run errands--and no longer be able to drive or access public transportation. Your loved one may need household help with laundry, cleaning, cooking and shopping. Your loved one's unique combination of needs will determine where you should look for assistance.
Family Caregivers
If there are family members nearby who are involved with your loved one's life, it may be possible to organize as a team to make sure the elder gets the assistance she needs. Make sure everyone agrees on who will be responsible for what and when. If you do decide that family caregiving is the right choice, make sure to arrange for personal time off for the primary caregiver, for everyone's safety and sanity. You may also be entitled to financial and other assistance from your Area Agency on Aging.
Agencies
There are home care and home health care agencies that will help you assess your loved one's needs and match you with an appropriate professional caregiver. It may be more expensive than hiring privately, but there are advantages: the agency handles paperwork such as taxes and social security for the employee, provides substitutes if your regular caregiver cannot come to work that day and can get you someone new if your relationship with your current caregiver does not work out.
Hiring Privately
If you hire privately you can interview as many people as you wish and screen their references yourself to find just the right person with whom your loved one can form a safe and lasting bond. You will be responsible for all of the paperwork (taxes, Social Security) and for filling in the gaps when your caregiver cannot work, but you will have complete control over the situation. It is important to create a written contract outlining responsibilities, work hours, sick and vacation time provisions, meals and transportation, unacceptable behavior, procedures for termination and anything else you can think of to make things go smoothly with your new employee.
Resources
Begin your search by asking your loved one's doctors for resources. Ask clergy, friends and other contacts if they know anyone who can provide home assistance to a senior citizen. Check with college career centers near you. Your county or state department of senior services may be able to direct you to agencies or individuals specializing in home assistance for seniors and financial assistance for which your loved one qualifies.
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