Assessing the In-Home Care Needs of Your Elderly Loved One

When it comes time to hiring an in-home caregiver to assist the daily care needs of an elderly person, it can be difficult to determine what type of care is most appropriate.  You will need to assess the personal circumstances of the senior and his family, his health care needs, current living arrangements, insurance coverage, and economic situation.  Care management software systems will help you keep track of the senior’s progress once a caregiver has been made, so look for agencies that utilize this technology.

Step One: Call a Family Meeting

The first important step in determining the in-home care needs of your loved one is to call a family meeting.  Gathering all the family members together encourages open communication right from the beginning – which will become even more critical as time goes on.  If appropriate, include the senior in the discussion.  His input may give you insight on which direction to go when searching for the appropriate caregiver.

Step Two: Determine the Senior’s Health Needs

The three basic areas in which your loved one may require assistance are medical care, household care, and personal care.  Medical care may include transportation to and from doctor appointments, medication management, assistance with physical therapy, and other medical treatments.  Personal care may require the caregiver to assist with bathing, grooming, and toileting.  Not all in-home caregivers are trained in this arena of home health care, so care must be taken when choosing your loved one’s primary caregiver.  Look for agencies that offer care management software systems or home care software.  Agencies that utilize care software technology are dedicated to providing the highest standards of care and caregiver supervision.  Medication administration and doctor appointments can easily be tracked in the caregiver’s home care software, eliminating the need for you to worry about such details while you are away.

Step Three: Meeting with Appropriate Agencies

When you’ve made a basic list of your loved one’s needs and determined what level of care she’ll require, it’s time to meet with a few different homecare agencies.  Ask the administrator what type of care they would recommend based on your family’s specific circumstances.  Determine what kind of care software technology the agency offers, and ask to see a demonstration of their homecare management software.
Assessing the in-home care needs of your loved one may be a trial-and-error process.  Carefully monitor the senior in the first few weeks with homecare management software.  Caregivers can note any changes in the senior’s attitude or behaviour, which will help you determine if any changes need to be made.