By Assisting Hands Home Care 

At a glance

If you’ve started to wonder whether a parent or spouse needs extra help at home, you’re already doing the right thing—paying attention. This guide walks you through the signs to watch for, the types of home care, how to start the conversation, ways to pay, and how to choose a trustworthy local provider in Davis & Weber Counties.

1) Clear signs it’s time to consider home care

• Personal care changes: trouble bathing/showering regularly, dressing, toileting, or grooming; wearing the same clothes multiple days; noticeable decline in hair, nails, oral care, or body odor.

• Mobility & fall risk: unsteady walking, new use of a cane/walker, recent falls or near-misses.

• Medication concerns: missed doses, double-dosing, expired pills.

• Nutrition & hydration: weight loss, spoiled food in the fridge, skipping meals.

• Household decline: clutter, unpaid bills, laundry piling up, odors.

• Driving safety: new dings on the car, getting lost on familiar routes.

• Cognitive changes: increased forgetfulness, confusion in new or busy environments, sundowning, wandering.

• Caregiver burnout: family members feeling exhausted, anxious, or unable to keep up.

• Hospital or rehab “bounce-backs”: difficulty returning to routine after an illness or surgery.

Pro tip: One sign on its own might not mean it’s time, but two or more together usually indicates your loved one would benefit from support.

2) What “home care” includes (and what it doesn’t)

Non-medical home care (what we provide):

• Personal care: bathing, safe shower supervision, toileting, grooming, dressing, continence support

• Mobility & fall-prevention support

• Meal planning, light housekeeping, laundry, linens, errands, grocery shopping

• Companionship, social engagement, transportation to appointments

• Dementia-informed routines and redirection

• Post-surgery support and short FlexCare shifts for a little extra help

What home care does not include: skilled nursing tasks like injections, wound care, or medication administration (that’s home health). Many families use both: home health (clinical) + home care (daily support).

3) A simple 5-step assessment you can do this week

1. Observe & jot (7 days): Track ADLs (bathing/showering, dressing, toileting, grooming), safety, mood, and routines. Examples to note: missed showers for several days, same outfit repeatedly, greasy hair, untrimmed nails, odor, toothpaste unused.

2. Safety check: Walk the home for trip hazards, poor lighting, or shower risks; list quick fixes.

3. Medication & meals scan: Are meds organized and taken on time? Are meals balanced and regular?

4. Health & calendar: List diagnoses, providers, upcoming appointments, and recent ER/rehab visits.

5. Care goals: Define what “better” looks like (e.g., two safe showers/week, hot lunch daily, med reminders).

4) How to start the conversation (without a fight)

• Lead with love and goals: “I want you to stay independent and safe at home.”

• Try a trial: “Let’s try 2 short FlexCare visits a week for 30 days and see how it feels.”

• Keep dignity front and center: emphasize choice, routine, and keeping control.

• Involve a trusted voice: physician, clergy, or a respected family member.

• Use practical hooks: rides to appointments, help with showers, or meal prep on busy days.

5) Flexible ways to start (including short, affordable visits)

• Companion check-ins (1–2 hours): safety checks, light housekeeping, snack/meal, med reminders.

• Personal care blocks (2–3 hours): safe shower, grooming, fresh linens, tidy-up.

• Errand day: groceries, Rx pick-up, post office, trash/recycling.

• Respite care for family: scheduled breaks so primary caregivers can rest.

• Post-hospital “soft landing”: extra help for the first 2–6 weeks.

• FlexCare (our short-shift option): designed for independent living residents and families who just need a little extra support without long minimums.

6) How to pay for home care (Utah specifics to consider)

• Private pay: the most common; you control schedule and scope.

• Long-term care insurance: we can help with documentation and claims.

• VA benefits: Aid & Attendance and other VA programs may offset costs for eligible veterans/spouses.

• County & community programs: Davis and Weber County options may help qualified residents with limited income/resources.

• Medicare GUIDE respite (pilot in some areas): short-term respite for dementia caregivers (ask us what’s currently available).

We’re veteran-owned and have a dedicated VA advocate to help you navigate benefits and paperwork.

7) Choosing the right home care provider (10 smart questions)

1. Are you licensed in Utah and insured/bonded?

2. Do you employ caregivers (W-2) and handle payroll taxes/insurance?

3. What training do caregivers receive (dementia, hospice, fall-prevention)?

4. Do you perform background checks and reference checks?

5. What’s your minimum shift and can you do short visits?

6. How do you ensure a care match and continuity?

7. Who supervises caregivers and how often do you do quality check-ins?

8. What’s your communication plan with families (updates, changes, incidents)?

9. Can you collaborate with hospice and home health?

10. What are your rates, after-hours policies, and holiday coverage?

Red flags: unclear pricing, no care plan, poor responsiveness, independent-contractor models with limited oversight, or pressure to buy more hours than you need.

8) Your quick-start checklist

• List top 3 safety concerns (e.g., showers, stairs, meds)

• Track showering & grooming frequency for 1–2 weeks (missed showers, same clothes, unbrushed teeth/hair)

• Define your 30-day goals (e.g., two safe showers/week, no missed meds)

• Decide days/times that help most (morning vs. evening)

• Gather current med list & providers

• Call Assisting Hands for a free in-home consult

• Start with a small FlexCare plan and reassess in 2 weeks

9) Why families in Davis & Weber Counties choose us

• Locally & veteran-owned small business; owners directly involved

• Certified Dementia Practitioner on staff

• Hospice-trained caregivers; strong collaboration with local hospice & home health partners

• No weekly minimums and no weekend/evening surcharges

• Short, affordable FlexCare shifts for “just a little help”

• Serving Layton, Kaysville, Bountiful, Farmington, Centerville, Syracuse, Roy, North Ogden, Ogden, Washington Terrace, and nearby communities

Friendly next step (no pressure)

Call 801-628-4204 or 801-499-9993 for a friendly, no-obligation consult. We’ll listen, recommend a right-sized plan, and you can decide what feels best.