Questions to Ask Caregiving Agencies

Senior Caregivers Toronto

At first, you may not feel comfortable asking others for help, but it’s best to understand that hiring a caregiving agency does not mean you’re somehow “letting down” your loved one. In fact, the exact opposite is true. Hiring a caregiver shows how much you cherish your elderly loved one and the steps you are willing to take to keep your family whole and healthy.

Caregiving services can vary wildly in quality, price, and availability, so be sure to do your due diligence before hiring a private caregiver vs a caregiving agency.

In very general terms, caregiving services can provide not only practical help, but also support, guidance, access to resources, and compassion. Ultimately, your goal is to hire a caregiver who will become a trusted part of your family and help you all enjoy peace of mind and a better quality of life.

Hiring a caregiver will help seniors live safely and independently in the comfort and familiar surroundings of their own homes. Not only should the caregiver’s qualifications and work experience match the job description, but there should also be a good rapport between the caregiver and your loved one.

Things to Consider When Hiring a Caregiving Agency

The prospect of hiring a caregiving agency can seem daunting. But, if you break the process down into manageable pieces and proceed methodically, you’ll make quick progress. To get you started, here’s a list of three areas to focus on when researching caregiving options:

  • Continuity of care
  • Response to emergencies
  • References

Continuity of Care

  • Having only one or two caregivers over time, rather than a new caregiver for every visit, will help your loved one feel more at ease. It will also improve the quality of their care since the caregiver will learn your loved one’s routines and be better able to recognize when something seems “out of the ordinary.” Make sure any senior care services you’re considering provide continuity of care and offer backup plans in place in case your loved one’s caregivers are sick, unavailable, or away.

Response to Emergencies (On-Call Support)

  • Eldercare is challenging and unpredictable, and you need a caregiving agency that can provide you and other family caregivers with the support you need 24/7. Look for agencies that have someone on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so urgent matters can be attended to immediately.

References

  • To protect yourself and your loved one, take your due diligence seriously. Ask for at least three references for each caregiving agency you’re considering.

Take the worry out of finding the right care for your loved one by contacting us today for a no-obligation assessment.

Do You Need Home Healthcare Services?

Home Healthcare Services

If you live far from your parent(s) and only visit them once or twice a year, it can be a shock when you arrive at their house and realize that things are worse than you thought they were.

Many of the elderly prize their independence, and it is often difficult for them to admit they need assistance with home or personal maintenance. The adult child can also feel like an unwanted intruder into his or her parents’ personal affairs.

How do you tell if your mom or dad needs home care if you live farther away? Here are some indications:

  • Your parent seems “off” when you speak to him or her
  • The neighbors are calling you because they are worried
  • You get a call from the emergency room that your mother or father has fallen
  • Your parents’ physician is calling you with concerns
  • They Forget key dates, and celebrations
  • They do not participate in family events/gatherings

These are some of the red flags. How do you get an objective view of what is really going on?

At this point, the services of a Care Manager (CM) can be of immense help. A Care Manager is a licensed professional, usually a registered nurse, with special experience helping families navigate through the labyrinth of available healthcare services. A CM will visit your parents at their home and assess their physical and cognitive status. During the assessment, the CM will discreetly evaluate how well the home is being maintained, if any changes could make the home safer, and if there are medical issues or cognitive challenges that need to be addressed. If there appears to be any issues or if a parent needs skilled nursing care, the CM will notify and work directly with your parent’s physician(s).  

The expense of employing a Care Manager is easily balanced by the cost of multiple trips to your parents’ home, missed work days, and the disruption to your family’s routine. Having a CM also helps reduce caregiver stress.

The scope of services that a CM can provide is determined by the specific needs of the elder adult and their family. These services include:

  • Assessing the elder client’s level of care and developing a plan of care with the client and their family
  • Initiating a plan of care (POC) and keeping it moving forward
  • Continuously assessing the client and making changes as needed to the POC
  • Managing the client’s care for out-of-town family members
  • Arranging for the intervention of legal and/or financial professionals, if needed
  • Serving as an advocate for the client and the primary caregiver/Power of Attorney
  • Supervising and directing the in-home caregivers
  • Scheduling and coordinating medical appointments
  • Communicating with family members regarding the outcome of medical appointments
  • Providing medication management on a regular basis
  • Providing anticipatory guidance to avoid issues or problems

As the population ages, Care Managers are becoming an increasingly important member of the healthcare team. Much like turning to a CPA to assist with the yearly taxes or contacting a lawyer when legal problems arise, it makes sense to use a professional Care Manager to manage the care of our loved ones.