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How to Choose the Right  In-Home Care For Your Elderly

Entrusting your elderly loved ones to professional in-home care services can be the last resort for some families. This can be an emotionally challenging decision, which is why the family feels the need to get involved.

When you realize that your senior needs more help with his or her day to day life, it's time you begin looking for the ideal caregiver. It's important to keep the recipient involved throughout the process of choosing someone he or she will be most comfortable with. 

Living Assistance Services suggests asking the caregiver a list of questions and determining if everyone is satisfied with the answers. 

Tips on how to choose the right in-home caregiver

Ask for Credentials and Other Resources 

Every licensed caregiver has received the appropriate training to provide the elderly with the best possible in-home care. They understand the resident rights in assisted living, and they should be committed to working their hardest in making sure the recipient gets the best quality of living. 

You can ask the caregiver for copies of his license, credentials, certifications, etc. One of the best sources to find out is his past clients. He should openly give you references so you can get in touch with them yourselves. 

Observe Patience Level 

There is no doubt that being a caregiver is a challenging job. But reliable in-home assistance remains calm in all situations. Some moments are extra difficult that he might feel like throwing in the towel, but he will not let his frustrations show. 

You can ask the caregiver if he has the patience to take care of a senior whose health may decline over time. Make it a point to ask how he'll react if the recipient becomes confused, sad, irritated, or angry. 

Look for Flexibility

While keeping the elderly in their own homes is the primary goal of hiring an in-home care service, there will also be moments where he has to leave the house. This can be to run errands, attend a medical check-up, take a walk, etc. Your caregiver should be able to do that with no problem. 

Consider Special Skills 

Some elderly require special care. So it's highly important to hire a caregiver that specializes in those areas of care. If your loved one suffers from dementia or heart disease, be sure to be completely honest about this with your potential caregiver. 

Furthermore, make sure to opt for someone who has experience with those conditions.  This should give you the assurance that your elderly are getting the best care at home. 

Look Into Physical Capabilities

Depending on the type of care for seniors in their home required, the physical capabilities of a caregiver is an important factor. If the recipient is unable to travel from one room to another without needing assistance, the caregiver will need to carry him. If the caregiver can't do any of those,  then he isn't fit for the job. 

Whether your loved one needs health care or just someone to accompany him in his daily life, it's crucial to hire the right in-home care services. Making the wrong decision of hiring an under qualified one can lead to serious problems. 

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5 Qualities of a Senior Home Care Provider

Once our seniors no longer wanted to be a burden to us, they either go to a senior home or have a caregiver to look out for them while we are away. That is why there are numbers of companies that specializes in home care services to assist seniors whenever they go or just simply a companion if you are away or not available. If you have chosen a company, you are then given an opportunity to screen and interview their caregivers to find the fundamental traits that you are searching. But if you don’t have any idea in what to find in an in-home caregiver, below are the traits you should look out for.

Qualities to look for a professional caregiver:

1. They have the experience    They provide services in a number of areas that is why make sure to ask for specifics about each caregiving experiences. References can also help you in finding a skilled and compassionate caregiver. If your loved one has a pre-existing condition such as diabetes or dementia, make sure that the caregiver you choose has experience in working with these conditions. You can ask them if what foods they enjoy cooking and if they are familiar with accommodating special dietary restrictions or requests.

2. They have expertise in the field    Make sure that your chosen caregiver has undergone the necessary training and has received proper certifications and guidelines that is according to your state. The minimum requirements of the state require additional training and continuing education which are usually good measurements of quality too. You can ask about additional credentials that they have obtained or training that they engaged in their own.

3. They have compassion    A bond between the caregiver and patient is important. Attentiveness and empathy in senior assistance services are crucial in fostering a trusting relationship with your loved one. Don’t forget to inquire why they choose caregiving as a profession. The right caregiver will also have a good mix of professionalism and nurturing, caring nature. Ask if what interests they can share with your loved ones as they will be spending a lot of time together, and the interests they share will make it enjoyable for both parties.

4. They have patience    First of all, caregiving is not for the faint of heart. This makes it one of the important qualities of a caregiver especially if they deal with a loved one that has Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. Always ask if what experiences they had from their previous client and how they handled it. Look for compassion and warmth in their answers.

5. They know how to communicate    Look for someone who has a positive attitude and good verbal communication. Since they will be spending a lot of time with your loved one, you want them to communicate well with their caregiver and with you. They should also assist in making your loved one feel comfortable, and they have lines of communication open for you to be updated about the care plan or condition. Problem-solving is a part of senior services, and it requires perseverance and excellent communication skills.

A caregiver with both skills and personality that match is a caregiver that gives the best service to your loved ones. Find senior care services like Living Assistance that makes clients feel that you have hired someone with the right skills and attitude.