Are you thinking about home health care as a solution to providing help
with daily activities such as bathing,
meal preparation, and housekeeping? Many older individuals benefit from
receiving assistance in the comfort of their own homes, allowing them to
maintain their independence longer. But, before you agree to at-home care,
carefully consider all the factors involved before you hire a home health aide.
Let’s face it, bringing a stranger into your home is a big change. So,
to help with a smooth transition and prevent problems from occurring down the
road, here are a few steps you can take to ensure you feel totally comfortable
with all aspects of this new arrangement.
Establishing a Routine
Start by meeting with the case manager from the home health care agency
when he or she comes to your home for an assessment of services needed. At the
initial evaluation, it is important that you ask questions so that you
understand what type of care is available, and for how many hours a day or
week.
The schedule may look like this: On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at
9:00 a.m., a home health aide comes to help with bathing, dressing, grocery
shopping, and light housekeeping; a visiting nurse arrives at 1:00 p.m. on
Tuesdays to check vital signs, medication, and to address any other health
concerns; and/or a physical therapist comes on Thursdays at 11 a.m. to establish
an exercise program. Â
Meeting the Home Health
Aide
In addition to scheduling physical and medical needs, the agency will
assign a caregiver based on compatible personalities and shared interests. That
is why it is
helpful for you to have a family member attend the home health aide’s first
visit. And ask that family member to check in with you after the aide leaves to
see if you are comfortable with the agency’s match. Your family member will be
more in tune with whatever objections you may have, and communicate that to the
agency so they can select another candidate. Agencies are aware of this
potential problem and usually will provide a suitable replacement.
There may be occasions when a substitute aide is sent if the regular
caregiver is sick, or a new caregiver may be assigned to the case for other
reasons. Find out what contingency plans the agency has in place under these
circumstances. Confirm that you (and maybe your trusted family member) will be
contacted ahead of time before an unfamiliar person unexpectedly knocks on your
door. Sometimes, scheduling mishaps occur, for example, an aide may not show up
at the appointed hour, and there is no communication with anyone. To avoid
causing unnecessary stress, you can prepare for this possibility by talking
about it in advance and creating a backup plan with the agency.
Many people form special bonds with their aides over time and greatly
benefit from the social companionship in their own familiar environment. The
success of a home health care plan will depend to a large extent on your
comfort level.
By taking the time to find the best fit in caregivers, you will be helping to ensure quality
care and comfort.Â
