Is It Time for Home Care?

Caring for a loved one can be a rewarding experience, but it can also be challenging, especially if the person you are caring for has complex needs. If you are feeling overwhelmed or stressed, it is important to consider hiring a home care agency.

A home care agency can provide a variety of services to help you care for your loved one, including:

• Personal care, such as bathing, dressing, and toileting
• Meal preparation and light housekeeping
• Medication reminders
• Oversight for cognitive impairment and dementia
• Transportation to and from appointments, errands, social engagements and shopping
• Pet care assistance
• Companionship and social interaction.

Home care agencies can also provide specialized care for people with complex medical conditions, such as dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and strokes.

Here are some signs that you may need to hire a home care agency (or at least begin the process):

Safety concerns.

• Your loved one is falling frequently or having difficulty getting around.
• You are worried about your loved one wandering or fear they will start.
• Your loved one is getting up a lot during the night to go to the bathroom and you worry they may fall.
• Your loved one's driving skills have declined and you don’t think it’s safe for them to be driving anymore.
• Your loved one has difficulty using stairs or getting in and out of the bathtub or shower.
• Your loved one is at risk of burns, falls, or other accidents due to cognitive impairment or physical disabilities.
• Your loved one is living in an unsafe environment, such as a home with poor lighting, cluttered walkways, or tripping hazards.
• Your loved one is unable to use medical equipment safely or follow medication instructions.

Personal Care.

• Your loved one is having difficulty with some personal care like bathing, dressing, or toileting.
• Your loved one needs help with incontinence care.
• It’s becoming awkward and crossing the line to provide personal care to your loved one and they are uncomfortable with it.
• Providing personal has become too demanding or not safe for you to perform.
• Your loved one is unable or doesn’t like to prepare their own meals or has an unhealthy diet.
• Your loved one is experiencing a decline in personal hygiene.
• Your loved one is losing weight or not eating enough.

Complex medical needs.

• Your loved one has multiple chronic conditions or has had a recent stroke or surgery and it’s become very hard to manage the care.
• Your loved one has a complex condition like Alzheimer's disease or Parkinson's disease.
• You don’t have the training or experience to provide certain types of care, such as transfers and personal care.
• Your loved one is demanding or displays aggressive behaviors.
• Your loved one is physically or verbally abusive.
• Your loved one is resistant to care.

Change in your loved one's condition.

• Your loved one has had a sudden change in condition, such as a stroke, heart attack, illness or a debilitating fall, and you need extra assistance right away.
• Your loved one has a terminal illness, such as cancer, is approaching end of life and you need extra assistance.
• Your loved one is exhibiting mood or behavior changes and you worry they are experiencing depression, anxiety, or another mental health condition.

Around-the-clock care.

• Your loved one requires around-the-clock care which can be exhausting.
• You have to wake up during the night to help your loved one which can lead to sleep deprivation.

Cognitive Impairment.

• Your loved one has dementia and has challenging behaviors, such as wandering or aggression.
• Your loved one is forgetful or confused and has become repetitive.

Loneliness or isolation.

• Your loved one would enjoy companionship and social interaction.
• Your loved one is showing signs of depression or anxiety.
• Your loved one needs help getting to and from social activities.
• Your loved one needs assistance with engaging in activities that they enjoy.

Compassion Fatigue.

• You are feeling overwhelmed with caregiving.
• You are feeling stressed by caring for your loved one.
• You are feeling angry about your situation.

Lack of time or support.

• You have a job, other family and community obligations which make it difficult to provide the care your loved one needs.
• You may not have enough support from your family and/or friends.

If you are considering hiring a home care agency, there are a few things you should keep in mind:

• Be sure to do your research and interview multiple agencies before making a decision.
• Ask about the agency's experience with caring for people with your loved one's specific needs.
• Make sure the agency is licensed and insured and their caregivers are employees and not 1099 contractors.
• Ask about their cancellation and schedule change policy.
• Ask if they have a family portal and can read the caregiver's notes.
• Discuss your budget and expectations with the agency upfront.

Hiring a home care agency can be a difficult decision, but it can also be the best decision for you and your loved one. It can allow you to take care of yourself and your other obligations, while knowing that your loved one is receiving the care they need.

I would also like to add that hiring a home care agency does not mean that you are giving up on your loved one. In fact, it can be a sign of your love and support. It shows that you are willing to do whatever it takes to ensure that your loved one has the best possible care.

If you are feeling overwhelmed or stressed with caregiving, please know that you are not alone. There are many resources available to help you, including home care agencies, support groups, and respite care programs. Please reach out if we can be of any assistance or answer any caregiving questions.