When the moment arrives that you realise that you or your elderly relative would prefer in-home living assistance, the first question you will almost certainly ask is – how do I find a reputable in-home carer?
One thing that is clear is that you want you or your elderly relative to live a life of comfort and safety whilst in the home.
But your support network will also want that peace of mind, knowing that you are comfortable with the carer who is entering your home to look after you.
In this article, we’ll go through some of the things you’ll need to consider when it comes to finding an in-home carer.
- What are your/your elderly relative’s needs?
- Assistance with personal care
- Assistance with housework
- Financial management
- Transportation for appointments and social activities
- How many hours of care will you/they need?
- What are your/their goals when living independently?
- Which home care services do you/they benefit most from?
- Your/their location and access to third-party services in the area
- Which home care services do you/they need first and foremost? Do you/they qualify for any government-funded home care packages?
Below are some of the characteristics we believe you should look for in an in-home carer.
- Supports you and your family members every step of the way
- They’re empathetic and compassionate
- Focuses on your privacy & dignity
- Has a positive demeanour and passive tone of voice
- They’re a good communicator
- Supports and respects all of those involved
- Can provide reference checks when asked
These are some of the questions you and your support network should ask any in-home carer.
- What level of experience do you have? And who have you worked for previously?
- What level of training & qualifications do you have?
- Can we organise a meet & greet with you before making a decision?
- Do you have insurance?
- Can we speak to your references?
Once you’ve found an in-home carer that you or your elderly relative are happy with, it’s important to establish daily and weekly routines.
Routines are beneficial as they provide comfort, peace of mind, and all-important structure to ensure things run as smoothly as possible.
With a routine in place, you’re then able to schedule your various appointments around it.
If you’ve considered all of the above and asked all the right questions, this will go a long way to finding yourself or your elderly relative the best in-home carer.