Many people are under the impression that they need to wait until they’re no longer able to take care of an aging loved one before they consider hiring an in-home health care provider. Fortunately, that’s not the case! It’s never too early to think about finding a compassionate caregiver. Actually, it is much healthier to look for outside help much sooner than people think. We never want to be caught in a ‘fire drill’ situation. Preparing for the unfortunate eventuality of not being able to handle the total care of a loved one avoids panic. Researching your options is a great way to avoid that. Furthermore, when that time comes, your prep work will make the transition much easier.
Here are a few reasons not to postpone finding a compassionate caregiver for your loved one.
1. Improve Relationships by Preventing Burnout
According to the Family Caregiver Alliance, primary caregivers spend upwards of 20 hours per week focusing on caregiving tasks. Eventually, over time, this can lead to burnout. Resentment and feeling stretched can make it much more difficult to maintain positive relationships. This is where an caregiver can be invaluable. An in-home caregiver can give primary caregivers and loved ones the chance to attend to their own personal health and wellbeing. The top concern of family caregivers is stress level. Getting a break is critical to relieve them of the stress of their caregiving responsibilities.
2. Adapt to Changing Ability Levels
Professional caregivers are another set of eyes to help families see changes that need to be made to the home environment or care routine. Through their special training, they may also be able to implement techniques that make daily tasks safer or easier to accomplish. The state requires certified caregivers to go through on-going in-service training to maintain their certification. This makes it much easier to keep up with the latest best practices and techniques. This, in turn will impact your loved one’s well-being in the long-run.
3. Take Time to Find a Good Match
It’s hard to think clearly about finding a caregiver who “fits” with your family in an emergency situation. This is especially true when you’re exhausted, burned out and desperate for help. Instead of waiting until your responsibilities become too much of a burden, it’s helpful to begin the process of finding an in-home caregiver. The earlier in the process the better. This will give you the chance to bring the caregiver into your life gradually and on your own terms.
Home healthcare agencies are good rich sources of candidates. They vet each candidate and handle changes and emergencies as they occur.
Here are some tips for conducting your search:
- Start by researching local agencies who are most likely to have caregivers in the area you need. An internet search will yield a comprehensive list.
- Speak to others who are in your situation or have gone through what you have. Personal recommendations are always nice.
- Call the agencies yourself and see how they impress you. Are they listening, caring people? If so, they are likely to be looking for the same qualities in the aides they hire. More importantly, they will exhibit these same qualities as you need to deal with them as issues and problems arise.
- Ask to speak to former or current clients of the agency. They will give you insight as to how responsive and caring they are from someone in your shoes.
David York Agency Can Help!
At David York Agency, we are committed to providing the best in-home care services. We like to consider our clients family, and it shows in the personalized, compassionate care our professionals provide. Choosing a home health care provider can feel like a big decision. However, you’ll ultimately be glad when you make the choice.
For more information about David York Agency’s qualified, compassionate home caregivers, contact us at 718.376.7755. A free phone consultation can help you decide what services might be best. We aim to provide you and your loved one with the assistance they need. If you’d like to hear more from us, please like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter, or LinkedIn.
