Technology Eases the Process of Finding a Qualified In-Home Caregiver

by Lynn Wilson, Founder of The CareGiver Partnership
 
Finding an in-home caregiver can be a daunting process, but technology makes it easier to match qualified caregivers with families who need their services. Here is more information on one such service, plus 11 considerations every family should discuss before choosing an in-home care agency.

While aging in place — or remaining safe and independent at home for as long as possible — offers physical and emotional health benefits, caring for a loved one can be overwhelming. Hiring an in-home caregiver can remove stress for everyone involved, especially when families plan ahead and openly discuss expectations.

Families overwhelmed by the process of hiring a caregiver may choose to work with a service such as CareSimply, which matches professional caregivers with families in need of in-home care. Each CareSimply customer works with a specialist who guides her through the process of searching, interviewing and choosing a pre-screened caregiver. A customer enters a ZIP code on the home page to find a caregiver, and if CareSimply does not have a caregiver in the area, it will recruit and screen candidates. CareSimply caregivers do not pay a fee to use the service and set their own rates and hours.

“Traditionally, there are two ways to find in-home care,” said Matt Larson, General Manager and Founder of CareSimply. “You either go through an expensive agency that does not offer much control in the hiring process, or you hire a private caregiver, which requires a lot of time and effort. CareSimply takes the best of both worlds. Clients work directly with caregivers, thus avoiding expensive agency fees, and we do all the hard work for you, including screening, background checks, taxes and more.”
 
Here are 11 considerations to discuss before choosing any in-home care agency:

1. What level of care management is needed? Will a professional care manager be needed, in addition to a family caregiver and nonprofessional services, to oversee a care plan?
   
2. What are a loved one’s daily living needs, from preparing meals and feeding to bathing and toileting? If adult diapers or other incontinence products are needed, who will be responsible for purchasing and changing them?
   
3. Is a language other than English required?
   
4. Who will purchase, organize and administer medications?
   
5. Does a loved one have Alzheimer’s disease or other memory issues that require special memory care?
   
6. Identification of nutrition needs, including who will purchase food, whether there are special dietary requirements, and which types of foods a loved one enjoys.
   
7. How many days per week and hours per day is care needed?
   
8. Are there skilled care requirements beyond companion care? Examples include wound care, oxygen therapy, insulin injections and other care administered by a registered nurse.
   
9. Identification of transportation needs, such as to medical appointments, social activities and more.
   
10. Exploration of types of care, from hands-on to simple companion care.
    
11. Cost analysis of in-home care vs. a skilled care facility.

In addition to a full range of home healthcare products and personal service by caregiving experts, The CareGiver Partnership offers an extensive library of resources and hundreds of articles for family caregivers and their loved ones.

The CareGiver Partnership is a national direct-to-consumer retailer of home healthcare products for incontinence, diabetes, nutrition support and more. In its sixth year of providing products and services that help caregivers and loved ones maintain personal dignity, the company also offers an online library of more than 1,200 family caregiver resources and personal service by experts in caregiving. Call 1-800-985-1353 or visit online at http://www.caregiverpartnership.com.

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