Finding the perfect care for elderly parents can feel overwhelming. You want to give your loved ones the best possible support, but there are so many different variables to consider when taking care of seniors. Whether you’re the primary caregiver looking for part-time respite care or seeking full-time professional help, this article will help you find the best home care services for elderly parents.
Check out these 7 tips to help you find the best professional caregiving for elderly parents, so you can feel confident in your caregiver decision.
1. Determine your parents’ needs.
Before you start looking for professional caregiving for parents, you want to understand your parents’ specific needs, preferences, and required level of care. Consider where your parent needs the most help. Do they require assistance with personal care for elderly parents, like bathing and dressing, or do they require more advanced health care? Are they mostly independent but need help with household chores and transportation, or do they require more specialized mobility care?
Make an in-depth list of their needs. Once you have a clear understanding of the level and types of care services for aging parents, you can search for caregivers with the necessary skills and experience.
2. Research your options for caretaking for elderly parents.
There are many options when it comes to professional care for elderly parents. Research the pros and cons of different caregiving types to see which kind of professional caregiver will best fit your parents’ needs, preferences, and budget. Some of the common professional home care services for parents include:
- Home health aides are full-time or part-time, providing assistance with basic medical care, daily activities, and companionship.
- Personal care aides are also companions that do not typically have the same level of medical training as home health aides. These are a more affordable option if your home care for elderly parents primarily requires basic daily needs like bathing, dressing, transportation, and companionship.
- Registered nurses (RN) provide health care, administer medications, monitor vital signs, and help manage a patient’s specific medical needs. They may help occasionally with daily activities like bathing, but they are hired primarily for medical assistance.
- Physical and occupational therapists provide rehabilitation services to help seniors improve mobility and strength if they’re dealing with injury, post-surgery, or chronic illness. They may help train seniors on how to perform daily tasks like cooking, cleaning, and grooming.
Do in-depth research online, ask friends and family for recommendations, and reach out to local agencies for support. You can find caregivers through home care agencies, nursing registries, and online marketplaces. Be sure to use reputable companies with plenty of references, testimonials, and recommendations so you can ensure you’re getting the best long term care for elderly parents.
3. Check credentials and references.
Once you’ve found potential care for elderly parents through an agency or otherwise, you want to check the caregiver’s credentials. Ensure they are licensed, certified, and trained, and verify that they are in good standing with their professional organizations. You can also ask for references from previous clients and employers to get a sense of the caregiver’s experience, professionalism, and reliability. You may also want to consider running a background check.
4. Conduct interviews.
An in-person interview is a great way to assess a caregiver’s approach to caretaking for elderly parents while also seeing if they feel like a good “fit” for your family. During the interview, ask about their training and education, approach to caregiving, and their availability and scheduling. You may also want to ask questions like how they would handle certain emergencies and challenging situations.
What happens if you find the perfect caretaker, but they can’t fulfill one of the needs of your parent? For example, the caretaker might not have access to a car, or they don’t feel comfortable grocery shopping. That’s where GoGoGrandparent can help. Our services can supplement home care services for elderly parents, so you can have the most comprehensive care plan possible.
5. Consider compatibility.
Taking care of seniors requires more than just experience and training. You want to make sure the caretaker is a good fit for your loved one. They are going to be spending a significant amount of time with your parent, so they should have compatible personalities and styles. For example, if your loved one is very boisterous, they may not do well with a very introverted caretaker. Ideal home care for elderly parents includes patience, compassion, and effective communication.
6. Do a trial period.
If you like the caretaker’s experience, certifications, references, and interview, conduct a trial period. Most agencies will not require you to sign a long term care contract with a given caretaker until you’ve first given them a (paid) trial period. This gives you and your parents an opportunity to evaluate their abilities with caretaking for elderly parents. A trial period can give you a better sense of their performance and personality to ensure they are the right fit.
7. Set clear expectations.
Your contract with the caretaker should define clear expectations and boundaries. You should outline:
- Scope of responsibilities (including daily tasks, medication management, transportation, etc.)
- Their schedule (and what to do if they are late or call out of work)
- Time off and paid time off
- Compensation and payment arrangements
- Communication avenues with family members
- Protocols for emergencies or issues
This is a great opportunity to chat with the caretaker about your membership with GoGoGrandparent. For example, you may want to teach the caretaker how to catch a ride with GoGo Rides or get weekly groceries delivered with GoGo Groceries. A lot of our members also use our Home Services to help caretakers when they’re feeling overwhelmed with cleaning, home maintenance, dog walking, and more.
Finding care for elderly parents
We know it’s a huge job finding the right professional caregiver. But by researching your options, performing thorough research, and considering compatibility, you’ll be able to find the right caregiving for elderly parents to offer the support and assistance to make their life comfortable.
While you’re searching for care for elderly parents, register with GoGoGrandparent to ease some of the burden on yourself and your loved ones. Your parent can catch rides, hire professional home care services, and get grocery, food, and medication delivery, allowing for more independent living in conjunction with their other long term care needs.
