We all know someone who has experience being a Caregiver. In many
instances we ourselves have been the caregiver, usually for loved ones,
who have fallen ill for either a short time period or sometimes more
permanent; sometimes even terminally. Therefore Caregivers can be family,
friends or paid employees - the later usually employed by a Home Health
Agency. The types of Home Health Agencies will be discussed later.
If it is one thing that you can count on for the future, it is that
people will continue to get older and will need the help of Caregivers.
The Baby Boomer generation is now reaching retirement age and they will
need help from their grown adult children. Spouses of the one in need
often don't have the physical abilities to help care for their husband
or wife who lie ill. Even if they do, they can quickly become overwhelmed
with having to become (in many cases) a full time caregiver for a loved
one which dramatically affects their own quality of life both physically
and emotionally. This, of course, can then spiral into there being two
patients instead of one!
The Adult Children, often referred to as "The Sandwich Generation",
are often a major element to their parents' caregiving formula. However,
the need to juggle caregiving for their elderly parents while still being
able to take care for their own immediate families and their ever demanding
careers can certainly be a difficult task. In some cases, the adult
children are located hundreds, if not thousands, of miles away from their
parent(s) who need help. What other options are out there?
If you do choose to go the route of a Home Care Agency, you must
ask key questions prior to the start of any service. Remember, these
agencies/companies will be sending individuals into your home or the
home of your loved ones. Thus selecting the right agency/company which
both selects and sends the caregivers out is a vital part of this
process. Some key questions to ask include:
- Is the Agency and its Caregivers Bonded and Insured?
- Is there an on-going Caregiver evaluation and training policy?
- What is their Hiring Policy and Procedures (ie, Background Checks,
Tests, Experience of Caregivers)?
- Are RN's on staff for case opening, caregiver evaluations and review,
and medical consultation?
- Is the Agency / Corporation local or national?
- Are there emergency back-up caregivers in case of an emergency or
unforeseen event?
The term "Home Health Agency" is usually broken down further into either
Skilled (Ie, Nursing, Therapists) or Non-Medical (ie, Companions, CNA's)
Care. All of the above issues need to be part of your selection
criteria in choosing a Home Care or Home Health Agency. But also it
is the connection you have with that particular company, or in many
cases an individual, that is so very important. Because lets face it,
after all of the basic requirements are met, "Trust" with that Home
Health/Home Agency is very important since they will select, schedule,
and monitor the progress of the Caregiver in the home. And that is what
you (in one way or another) are paying for - Peace-of- Mind that someone
is taking care of this for you and your family.
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