Tips for Helping Your Favorite Senior Stay in Great Health

Steps For Finding Affordable Home Care Without Sacrificing Quality

28 October 2017 by Florence Morrison

If you have the responsibility to provide constant care for a loved one you may need additional help, especially if your loved one is incapacitated. It, therefore, becomes necessary to get full time assisted living in-home care.

There are three main categories of caregivers:

• Personal care attendants (PCAs) who cook, clean and run errands

• Home health aides who bathe, feed and provide simple medical care

• Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) who are licensed with some medical training. In addition to bathing and feeding clients, they check vital signs and care for wounds.   

To find an affordable in-home caregiver without sacrificing quality it is necessary to consider the following.

Consider agency vs independent hire

The hourly rate for an agency caregiver is higher.   However, there are several benefits to consider:

The agency pays the FICA taxes and covers liability insurance.  Both parties are protected if there is an injury on the job.   With independent caregivers, the employer is liable for all costs and medical and disability benefits.

Agency caregivers are trained in CPR and first aid.  They are also bound by agency's ethics and rules and can be replaced in instances of misconduct. The agency can provide replacements to cover periods of absences/vacation.

The agency performs background checks while the employer must do reference checks on independent hires.   Websites like Intelius or SentryLink may be used to check for any criminal history of potential employees and Medicare's Home Healthcare Compare Tool for caregiver agencies. You can also inquire about Medicare and Medicaid for assistance.  

Assess the level of care needed

Complete a needs assessment to determine the type of caregiver required. Consider the client's interests/hobbies and involve him/her in the selection process, if possible. It is more beneficial when the client and caregiver can communicate in the same language.

Clearly articulate the duties to be performed

Provide the caregiver with a written list of duties and discuss with him/her to ensure they are understood.  

If meals are to be prepared, clearly state any dietary requirements. Communicate beforehand if there are any special requests. A home care provider is there to make the patient feel comfortable in their home, so personalization of services is a key part of their job. 

Our loved ones who are unable to fully care for themselves must be given the best possible care and treated with dignity and respect.   At no time should quality be sacrificed for cost.

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