IN-HOME HEALTH CARE

HOW TO CHOOSE How to Choose In-Home Health Care

Kaitlyn, an atHome with Western Home caregiver, takes her Waterloo client's blood pressure.

It may be more important than ever to have help at home during a pandemic. Is it safe to have a caregiver enter your home right now?

Infection control practices are a top question right now. Agencies like atHome with Western Home are taking extra precautions to make sure your needs can be met safely. Caregivers wear face masks and face shields or eye protection, and follow infection control procedures.

WHY IN-HOME CARE

Bringing someone into your home to provide care and companionship for a few hours at a time is typically less expensive than moving to assisted living.

Choosing the right organization requires some research.

How long have they been in business? Some companies on the market today are for-profit franchises. Others are non-profit mission driven organizations. Ask about the company’s experience and hiring practices. See if they will provide references from current clients or client family members.

Choosing a company that is bonded and insured, plus provides background checks on employees, offers more protection than hiring an individual who advertises their private services as a caregiver.

Talk to your loved one's primary care physician to help you understand your choices. The doctor can help you determine the level of care required. This professional may even have referrals to give you.

After speaking to several inhome care providers, you can compare the range of services they offer. Typically, they will fall into three categories:

NURSING CARE

Providers vary greatly in terms of whether they provide any certified nursing care. Some have registered or licensed nurses who can help with chronic condition management.

Others provide care with certified nursing assistants who can provide more simple tasks such as medication reminders and blood sugar monitoring.

Always inquire about the medical qualifications of any in-home care providers you are considering. All workers should have the proper training, degrees and certifications.

If you are unclear about the exact level of medical care you or a loved one will require, ask your physician for advice.

COMPANION CARE

Caregivers can help with daily grooming, mobility and any special diet requirements. They can help prepare meals or run simple errands. You might have them help clean out closets, fold laundry, put away dishes, sort mail and other household tasks.

An in-home caregiver also provides a friendly face and good conversation as well as general care. The caregiver might sing along as you play the piano, or vice versa. She or he could read aloud, discuss daily news or play a board game. Quality in-home care providers understand that patients also need mental stimulation and human contact to stay well.

Your provider agency should work to make a good match for you; someone you would find enjoyable to have around your home.

PERSONAL TECHNOLOGIES

A few in-home care providers now offer simple technologies that help keep you safe at home, even when a caregiver can’t be there. New versions of personal emergency response pendants offer additional support, such as fall detectors, that can automatically call for help when a problem is sensed. Additionally, medication dispensers help patients take their medications as scheduled to keep them healthy.

Locally, atHome with Western Home offers these products. They can be used to enhance your schedule with a caregiver.

THINGS TO REMEMBER

Before entering a contract, understand the services that will be provided. You want to make sure you are getting what you need without paying for services that are not required.

You and any family caregivers should be comfortable with the people who work for the company. In-home caregivers will quickly become part of your life, especially as they enter and exit the house.

The best in-home care provider is about finding the right combination of services to fit your unique needs and budget. Once you have the right company, your loved one will receive companionship, comfort and cost savings that make in-home care a good choice.

For a free assessment to match your needs and budget, call Krista, the home solutions navigator for atHome with Western Home, at 319-277-7779.

Article contributed by Western Home Communities

Your loved one can still live at home, with our help.

Trust the local, not-for-profit provider that has served older adults for more than a century.

Maybe it’s help getting dressed, making meals, running errands, keeping you company. It could be managing medications, monitoring blood pressures or tracking a chronic condition.

Or it could simply be peace ofmind, knowing you can push a pendant to reach emergency help ifsomething happens.

Only one local in-home health provider offers allthese options - companion care, nursing and simple technologies - to best meet your individual needs.

Make one phone call today and learn how atHome with Western Home can meet your needs and budget...helping you live at home. Call Krista at (319) 277-7779 fora free consultation.