For seniors who choose to age in their homes, seeking the assistance of a caregiver becomes a necessity at some point. For various reasons, some seniors prefer the services of an individual private caregiver rather than a home care agency.
Private-duty caregivers are sometimes referred to as home health aides or custodial care workers, and some are licensed as certified nursing assistants. They provide vital daily services such as bathing, dressing and preparing meals, along with activities relating to medical care such as transportation to doctor’s appointments and assistance with medications.
Depending on the needed level of assistance, seniors may choose to hire a caregiver for only a few hours a week or full-time. To choose a qualified senior caregiver, consider the following steps.
Determine the services you need
The services that the caregiver will need to provide and the time on site per day will contribute to cost. Before interviewing prospects, create a timeline of daily activities, and pinpoint those for which assistance is required for you or your parent.
Medicare and private health insurance typically do not include coverage for long-term care at home. If you have a long-term care insurance policy, check to find out the level of in-home care covered, along with other requirements for coverage.
Seek referrals and conduct interviews
Before interviewing candidates, ask your doctor, friends and neighbors for referrals. To narrow down the field, conduct phone interviews, then schedule personal meetings with the top two or three candidates. Make a list of questions to ask regarding prior work experience and services offered.
Support your caregiver with technology
To provide support to a private-duty caregiver, consider the benefits of IndependaTV™. With IndependaTV™, an aide can conveniently track health metrics and get reminders for appointments and medications. The simple-to-use interface also makes it easy for caregivers to communicate with patients’ adult children through video chat and messaging.
IndependaTV™ enhances the services of a qualified caregiver to provide you or your parent with the highest possible level of care in the environment of your choosing.
