{"id":5173,"date":"2022-08-22T08:00:48","date_gmt":"2022-08-22T12:00:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/assistinghands.com\/125\/?p=5173"},"modified":"2023-10-25T10:25:52","modified_gmt":"2023-10-25T14:25:52","slug":"home-care-services","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/assistinghands.com\/68\/bostonnw\/massachusetts\/blog\/home-care-services\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Successfully Work with Home Care Services"},"content":{"rendered":"

After having \u201cthe discussion\u201d about home care with your aging mother, she\u2019s agreed to accept some professional help around the house. Once you\u2019ve selected the best home care provider<\/a> for Mom, the real work begins as you coordinate services and plan for her current and future needs. Although coordinating services with a home care provider isn\u2019t always easy, it is possible to ensure that your loved one\u2019s needs are consistently met \u2013 and their wishes honored \u2013 by taking these steps.\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Assess Their Caregiving Needs<\/h2>\n

Based on your initial care assessment, determine what\u2019s lacking or getting overlooked in Mom\u2019s current routine. Is she having trouble performing activities of daily living<\/a> (ADLs), such as bathing, dressing, meal preparation, or getting around? Does your mother have any medical conditions that may eventually require specialized care, for example, dementia or arthritis?<\/p>\n

Once you\u2019ve assessed your loved one\u2019s needs, schedule a time with their caregiver(s) to ensure they have the training and experience necessary to handle the job. If you think that your senior may need additional services as their condition worsens \u2013 for instance, physical therapy or 24-hour care \u2013 anticipating those needs together will help ensure a more seamless care transition once that day arrives.<\/p>\n

Communicate Openly and Often<\/h2>\n

Keeping with the last point, communication is always key when partnering with a home care provider. Don\u2019t hesitate to ask your loved one\u2019s caregiver for periodic updates on their condition and changing needs. Once you\u2019ve discussed Mom\u2019s health status, be sure to share what you\u2019ve learned with other family members.<\/p>\n

If the current caregiver is failing to adequately meet your senior needs \u2013 or their personalities don\u2019t mesh \u2013 discuss the situation with a supervisor so that they can find a suitable replacement. Most reputable home care agencies will provide periodic updates and offer caregiving advice \u2013 for example, ways to modify your loved one\u2019s home<\/a> to create a safer living environment.<\/p>\n

Use a Team Approach<\/h2>\n

When devising a senior home care strategy, the tendency is to try and do everything yourself or rely too much on a trained professional. However, neither approach is optimal when your loved one\u2019s health and well-being weigh in the balance.<\/p>\n

Instead, form a caregiving team<\/a> comprised of trusted family members, community volunteers, and friends. Take an inventory of all the resources at your disposal and assign tasks based on each member\u2019s time and talents.<\/p>\n

In addition to you and Mom\u2019s in-home \u201cpersonal assistant,\u201d recruit specialists like doctors, nurses, physical and occupational therapists, dieticians, and pharmacists to fill in any remaining caregiving gaps.<\/p>\n

Eldercare specialists like elder law attorneys, benefits counselors, financial advisors, and certified public accountants can also be key additions to your care team. A geriatric care manager<\/a> can offer invaluable insight for organizing, monitoring, and facilitating your loved one\u2019s care as their needs become more complex.<\/p>\n

How to Find the Best Home Care Provider<\/h2>\n

Successfully working with a home care service provider starts with finding the best one for the job.<\/p>\n

These tips will help ensure a better-informed decision:<\/p>\n