4 Mistakes To Avoid When Selecting A Home Health Aide

Regardless of how much love you have for your parent or loved one, it is impossible to do everything. Your loved one may be struggling with day-to-day tasks, or he or she may be starting to experience early symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. Whatever the case may be, it may be difficult to handle everything on your own, especially when you still have to juggle work, kids, and your own life.

One way to ensure that your loved one receives the that he or she needs while still being able to care for yourself and your family and avoid getting overwhelmed with everything is to hire a live-in health aide. However, as you begin your search, there are a few mistakes that you will want to avoid making.

Mistake #1: Putting It Off for Too Long 

Some people will wait until it is too late to hire professional assistance for their loved ones. Don't let that be you! It has been suggested that the hiring of a caregiver early on can actually help boost a patient's and their family members' psychological well-being. So, hire a home health aide as soon as you realize your loved one needs additional assistance and before you get burnt out.

Mistake #2: Failing to Thoroughly Research the Home Health Aide or Agency

Sure, hiring a home health aide is not a difficult process, it is important that you take the time and put in the effort to perform research to ensure that you find the right aide or agency to conduct business with. Prior to finalizing a hiring offer, request to see proof of licenses, credentials and past experience—even referrals. This will simply ensure that you have a qualified home health aide taking care of your loved one when you aren't there.

Mistake #3: Focusing Solely (or Too Much) on a Single Factor

It isn't uncommon for people to worry about how much something will cost, and this includes hiring a home health aide. However, it should not be the only factor that drives your hiring decision. The same can be said of the personality of the aide or his or her skills. Instead, it is important to consider all three of these factors, as well as any other that you deem important, evenly.

Mistake #4: Failing to Consult with the Rest of the Family

When you decide to hire a home health aide, keep in mind that you are not the only person in the family. There are other family members involved in your loved one's life, and it is important to consult with them on the hiring decision. These individuals should also be kept in the loop moving forward as they will likely be interacting with the home health aide.