As people age, they may find they are unable to do everything for themselves as they normally would. Adult children or other family members may try to take on daily tasks in order to help. Family and friends may start giving small amounts of assistance, but this can grow almost daily until it becomes overwhelming, at which point, they begin to realize something more needs to be done. One solution is to seek professional help from an agency that provide non-medical in-home care for older adults.
The decision to hire a home care agency may be met with some resistance, since no-one wants to give up their independence, or feel they are losing control of their daily lives. Many older people will allow a family member to help, but really do not want a stranger to come into their home and “take over.” Professionals understand this, and are normally willing to meet with the caregiver and the older person first, to explain their services and reassure the individual that his or her wishes will be accommodated as much as possible.
Home care agencies provide a variety of services for senior care, and most will work with the person in need of help and the family to create a care plan that meets the needs of the individual, and be within the person’s budget. The elder care plan should provide the proper support while preserving the dignity of the senior, as well as allow as much independence as possible. Even though it may be difficult at first, once the senior care plan is in place and the senior gets to know some of the workers who will come to the home daily or weekly, a transition will happen, and the person will start to look forward to seeing their new caregivers on a regular basis.
Sometimes it is just necessary to have a little help with meal preparation or light housekeeping, long before any personal care is actually needed. That is really the best time to engage a home care agency, when the family members see that their loved one needs more help than they will be able to provide, and before a crisis arises. The home care agency will be willing to start slowly with certain services, and then their help can be increased as it becomes necessary.
In order to be properly informed and to know what to expect from a good in-home care agency, the person or persons who will be in charge of hiring the agency needs to research online, if possible, and be ready to ask the right questions of the agency in consideration. Below is a suggested list of Essential Questions for you to use. Remember interview a representative from more than one local home care agency in order to find the one that you believe will be the best one to work with.
Essential Questions Sheet (PDF)
Home care counselors at A WAY TO STAY Home Care are available to talk with you about your needs. A WAY TO STAY is a home care agency providing In-Home Care in Yardley.
