Respite Care and Finding Trustworthy In-Home Care

FACT: Most adults over the age of 65 prefer to stay in their own home as long as possible. We know there are many long-term benefits of allowing adults the freedom to age in place. Staying at home helps seniors maintain a routine, and home provides the familiarity and comfort no other place can.

FAMILY CAREGIVERS:

Their duties cover a wide range of responsibilities requiring endless amounts of energy, empathy, and patience. It can be a fulfilling experience, but it also comes with its own unique challenges including: n Emotional and physical stress n A loss of self-identity n Lack of time to care for themselves n Financial strain n Feelings of isolation n Sleep deprivation n Need to do it all and not ask for help

FAMILY RESPITE CARE SERVICES:

Respite care allows family members in a primary caregiving role to take some time off from their responsibilities so they can focus on themselves for a while. While the family member takes a break, a professional caregiver can be there to make sure that their loved one is well taken care of, safe and comfortable.

FINDING A HOME CARE YOU CAN TRUST – Preparation:

n Identify your loved one’s In-Home care needs n Ask family, friends or doctor for referrals and/or go online

Respite Care And Finding Trustworthy In-Home Care n Make a list and choose 3 to 5 home care providers n Call and ask for a complimentary in-home assessment

Questions To Ask:

n Are you HIPPA compliant? n What specific services do you provide? n What process do you use to hire and assess caregivers? n What training do you provide? n Are your caregivers’ direct employees on your payroll? n Do you check in on clients and caregivers regularly? n How soon can I get a caregiver and how often? n Do you tailor your services to my particular needs? n How do you provide great communication and problem solve? n Will the same caregiver come every time? n Do you match caregivers to clients? n What happens if the caregiver does not show up on time or at all? n What payer sources do you take? n What are the rates for your services? If possible, make sure your loved one is part of this process. They’ll feel more comfortable in the long run when they’re involved in the selection of the Home Care provider. ~ Editor’s Note: This article was written by Jaye Firmature McCoy-Owner of Firstlight Home Care. Contact her at 402-6140413, jmccoy@firstlighthomecare.com, or omaha.firstlighthomecare.com