Caregiver Selection For Seniors At Home
So the "Aha" moment arrives. Circumstances make you realize two things. 1) I'm not as young as I used to be, and 2.) "Old age ain't for sissies" as the great Bette Davis once said.
Gradually, or sometimes suddenly, it happens. we can't keep up with household chores, we can't see the street signs to drive safely, we give up cooking or we can't walk without holding on to the furniture. And it begins, a nagging fear that we're losing our independence. In fact, loss of independence is the biggest fear among seniors. So what is the typical senior response? Pull ourselves up by the bootstraps and keep on going, of course! Call in the kids to help out! They're supposed to take care of us in our old age, aren't they? Unfortunately, the kids have spouses and children of their own. And they have full time jobs, not to mention they live out of town. It's time for a new strategy.
Many seniors are finding the solution to remaining independent at home lies outside the family circle with paid caregivers. At Seniors at Home, Inc. we find that most seniors find caregivers in two ways. The old way is to run a classified ad or hire through a temporary service. The senior bears all the "employer" responsibility for this kind of caregiver."
It is my recommendation that seniors ask the following questions of independent caregivers:
- What client references can you provide?
- What is your experience/background?
- Do you have any certificates or training? Is it current?
- Have you worked with ( Alzheimer's disease, cancer, etc)?
- What would you do if I had medical emergency?
- How much notice would I have if you could not come in for a day? Can you arrange your own substitutes?
- How do I contact you?
- Are you bonded? Have you ever been convicted of a crime?
- Do you have liability insurance?
These folks are usually less expensive but there's a lot of risk involved in hiring them. The downside is:
- It's difficult to find the right person.
- You are responsible for performing a criminal background check
- You are responsible for finding a replacement if the caregiver is absent
- You bear the burden for withholding payroll taxes, and providing state mandated worker's compensation coverage.
- You bear the burden for liability problems like theft from or damage to your property.
The new way is to contract with a Companion Care Agency. These private agencies provide "in-home, non-medical care". The number of agencies is growing quickly to meet the demands of a fast-growing senior population. They provide a wide range of services including light housekeeping, meal preparation, laundry, transportation, shopping & errands, and in many states including California, assistance with personal care. These one on one services can continue should the senior move into assisted living or even a nursing facility or hospital.
Request an Assessment Interview so that we can learn more about your unique situation and share how our caregivers can improve the quality of your life!
"Stay at Home but not alone."
www.seniors-at-home.net
(619)291-4663
Sheila Korn is the Director and President of Seniors At Home, Inc. Sheila is in charge of all the people who are at Seniors at Home, Inc. This includes overseeing all client activities and the staff. She makes sure that everything is okay with the care plans and programs. Sheila is always happy to answer any of your questions. She is a Certified Senior Advisor. She has taken the educational initiative to become a professional leader in meeting the key needs and issues concerning mature adults. As a Certified Senior Advisor and President of Seniors At Home, she personally meets every client and assess each family's needs.
Article Source: ezinearticles.com 
