How to select the right in-home care for your loved one suffering from Alzheimer’s or Dementia?

We all want the best for our aging loved ones. But when they suffer from Alzheimer’s or Dementia, caring for them can be even more difficult, and it becomes infinitely more important. So how does one make the right choice when looking for in-home care for our elders with special needs?

Luckily Alz.org provides some great advice when making these tough decisions. Here is what they say:

Deciding who will provide home care is an important decision. For some, using a home health agency is the best choice. And for others, an individual care provider is a better fit.

 

The following steps can be helpful when trying to find the right care:

• Create a list of care needs.
  Before contacting prospective providers, create a list of care needs, as well as your expectations on how these needs will be met. 
• Call first.
  When you call to screen home care providers, find out what kind of help they offer and if it meets your specific needs.
• Interview at home.
  Meet with a prospective home care agency or provider in your home. Prepare questions beforehand. It’s a good idea to have a third person present so that afterwards you can discuss your impressions.
• Check references.
  Some agencies will conduct criminal background checks. Ask if these have been conducted. It is also a good idea to talk to others who have worked with the provider. 
• Share information.
  The more care providers know about the person they are caring for, the better care they can give. Even with memory loss, persons with dementia maintain strong memories from periods of their past. Familiarize the care provider with past accomplishments, fond memories and other guideposts that are relevant to where the person with dementia’s current memory is strong. It will allow for a much greater bond to form between them. Our Personal Facts and Insights form can help you organize and share information about the person’s personal preferences and background.

Questions to Ask Potential In-Home Providers

• Are you trained in first aid and CPR?
• Do you have experience working with someone with dementia?
• Are you trained in dementia care?
• Are you with an agency? (If important to you)
• Are you bonded (protects clients from potential losses caused by the employee)?  
• Are you able to provide references?
• Are you available at the times needed?
• Are you able to provide back-up, if sick?
• Are you able to manage our specific health and behavioral care needs?

In addition to that great advice we would also recommend these questions:

• Is your agency licensed with the State of California?
• Are the services of your agency covered under Liability Insurance?
• Is the caregiver registered with the State of California?
• Is the caregiver TB- and Drug-tested?
• Has the caregiver been through a thorough background check?

Luckily, Redan Medical Home Health answers YES to all these questions. We are extremely well versed in caring for patients with a wide range of needs, including Alzheimer’s and Dementia.

Now that you know what you need to do, take the first step and reach out to us. It will be our pleasure to discuss how we can help bring care and comfort to your family.