Geraldine was in her late 80s when she decided it was time to find the right home care aide for her needs. She especially needed companionship and help with housekeeping. She had always been very particular about who she allowed in her home and for how long.
Although her daughter had tried on several occasions to have home care aides come over to help with tasks such as mopping the kitchen floor and dusting around the house, Geraldine found it very difficult to allow someone else to do the work.
She was a very independent woman with a can-do attitude. Having grown up in the bay area of California, she was one of the first women in her family circle to go to college. She enjoyed reading books upon books about anything and everything. She secured a job as a typist and was highly adamant about learning new technologies.
She was among the first women of her generation to transition from a regular typewriter to an electronic typewriter and then ultimately a computer. Even in her late 80s she was sending out emails to relatives and friends.
In her late golden years, her favorite activities were dancing and talking on the telephone.
The right home care aide finally came when a newly trained home care aide arrived at her doorstep one summer morning. The home care aide treated Geraldine with respect and talked with her about family, work, and the local news. The defining line for Geraldine in finding the right home care aide was that she needed someone who was out-going, yet able to do tasks without making Geraldine feel incapable or disrespected.
At first, finding the right home care aide may seem limited to friends and nearby relatives. But this is not necessarily the best option and closes the avenues of help that your loved one may receive.
A friend may end up spending the whole morning chatting with the senior and not lifting a single finger to get urgent tasks completed around the house. Relatives may not have the resources or time to be able to consistently help out the senior causing frustration on both sides.
A great avenue to consider is online reviews of home care and word-of-mouth referrals. When someone can vouch for the home care aide’s experience, demeanor, and professionalism, it can make a world of difference to the senior.
After personal safety, another important item to look for in a home care aide is their compatibility with the senior in the home. Do they treat the senior with respect? Do they answer questions in a cordial manner? Are they able to work and listen/talk at the same time? Do they meet all or most of the wants of the senior?
Does your home care aide charge by the project or by the hour? I find it’s easier to pay by the project so that you know what tasks will be performed. Others, however, prefer to pay hourly rates so that they can include or take out specific services during a session. Speaking of cost, it’s also important to note that if you’re eligible for Medicaid, you may be able to use that to help defray the cost of in-home care services.
Home care aides may take care of a range of other responsibilities as well, such as: meal planning, light cooking, following up on doctor appointments and check-ups, and ensuring that the senior they are taking care of is in good health.
Even though some home care aides may not have the same chemistry with your loved one that they share with others, having a solid understanding of your loved one’s needs is a great way to begin the search process for the right home care aide. Keep communication open, and be willing to explore all of your options!
Please visit SeniorAdvisor.com for more tips on finding a caregiver for your loved one.
