Caregivers Provide Assistance

A caregiver provides assistance in meeting the activities of daily living (ADLs) of another person.

A caregiver gives care, generally in the home environment, for an aging parent, spouse, other relative, or unrelated person, or for an ill, or disabled person. These tasks may include transportation, grocery shopping, housework, preparing meals. Also giving assistance with getting dressed, getting out of bed, help with eating, and incontinence.

According to the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) and the National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC), estimates of more than 65.7 million Americans serve as informal caregivers either to a child with special needs or an adult who lives in the community and needs help.

Most caregivers are related to the care recipient such as the son or daughter caring for a parent. The average age of a caregiver is 49.

Most caregivers are women, but men also serve as caregivers.

Most long-term care is provided by family and friends in the home.

It is a common myth that most of the elderly are cared for in nursing homes in the U.S.

Only about 11% of the elderly live in a nursing home or an assisted-living facility.

Caregivers’ responsibilities may range from bathing, dressing, assisting with mobility, preparing meals, dispensing medicines, and communicating with medical staff. If the caregivers are the children of the elderly, they often get overwhelmed with their own lives along with caring for their parents.

Hiring a Caregiver

Caring for an ill, aging, or disabled person can be a rewarding experience. However, depending on the intensity and level of care needed on the caregiver’s time and energy, it can also become an overwhelming responsibility.

When this happens, it may be time to explore other home care options such as hiring a caregiver through an agency.

Here are some questions to ask yourself when considering a caregiver through an agency:

• How much time is required to help care for the individual at home?
• What skills are necessary to provide the best care?
• How does the ill, aging, or disabled individual feel about having a caregiver assist with his or her care?
• Is he or she comfortable with the idea of a caregiver?

If the decision is made to hire a caregiver through an agency, you will want to do some research and call an agency and ask questions.

It is obviously important to acknowledge the desires of the person who will be receiving care.

Interviewing a Caregiver Who Provides Assistance

Consider the following questions in your search for appropriate care:

• What services would be required of the caregiver?
• Is the caregiver employed by an agency licensed by the state?
• How will caregiver services will be paid?
• What are the qualifications of the caregiver?
• Will the same caregiver always be available or will it be necessary to adjust to many different caregivers?
• Does the agency offer flexibility, making care available on weekends, at nights, and on holidays, for instance?
• How does the agency or organization make sure that its employees treat their patients and patient families with respect?

Assisting Hands® Home Care hires and trains caregivers to ensure that our patients get the best care possible.

While employing a family member as a caregiver may be an immediate choice, some families may not have that option and that when we can come in to help.

Care is our business and responsibility.

Call us today to arrange care for you or your loved one.

Refer a friend who needs home care.