Home care is an essential service when it comes to aging in place. Your dad is getting older, and he’s having a harder time with daily routines. But, he refuses to move from his home to be closer to you or other family members.
You’re now talking about the benefits of home care with your dad and the rest of the family. It’s time to answer some of his questions. Here are the most common questions about home care.
How Does It Work?
How does home care work? A professional caregiver comes to your dad’s home on the scheduled day and time, and helps him with the tasks on a list. It might helping him get showered and dressed before going to adult day programs. His caregiver might cook his meals, take him shopping, and clean the home.
You build a list with the home care advisor and address it every now and then to ensure that the services your dad needs are on that list. If his health changes and more hours of care are needed, it’s adjusted to match his changing health or mobility.
Are There Things the Caregiver Cannot Do?
Caregivers are there to help your dad with personal care and companion care services. They can do a lot, but there are things they are not allowed to do. If your dad needs a nurse to administer his injectable medications, he would need a home health nurse, not a caregiver. Caregivers are not trained medical professionals and cannot perform medical tasks.
Another thing that a caregiver cannot do is help you with your own care needs. The caregiver is there for your dad, not to cook your meals, do your laundry, or make your appointments to free up your time while you work from home. If you cook a meal for yourself, don’t expect the caregiver to clean up after you.
How Much Does Home Care Cost?
It’s hard to give an exact figure without knowing the situation. The cost depends on how many hours of care your dad needs, how many days of care are needed each week, and the services he requires. If he needs 24-hour home care, it will cost more for the overnight caregivers than if he just needs help getting dressed and showered each morning.
What Happens if the Caregiver Isn’t a Good Match?
Your dad may be worried about what happens if his personality and the caregiver’s personality clash. It can happen, and he shouldn’t worry about being stuck with someone he cannot tolerate. If there is a personality conflict that he cannot get past, you can discuss it with the home care agency and request that a different caregiver be assigned to your dad.
Does your dad have any additional questions? Call a home care expert with those questions and get the answers you need to arrange the right services for his needs.
