3 Questions To Consider When Choosing Elderly Home Care Services

At some point or other, age catches up with all of us — and when that moment arrives, we may need some extra help to get through our everyday lives. Whether you've reached that point yourself or you're the caretaker for a geriatric loved one, you need to know what to look for in elderly home care services and how to choose the right kind of care for your needs. Here are key questions to ask yourself as you make your selection.

1. Do You Need Medical Care, Personal Care, or Both?

Senior home care can encompass a wide range of services — and not all of the providers out there offer the same options. Do you need assistance with ongoing medical treatment or diagnostics, or are you simply looking for someone who can help you with issues such as transportation, meal preparation, and senior personal care services? Some providers will offer non-medical care, while others may attend to every need you may have. Make sure you know exactly what your prospective provider can and cannot give you before signing a contract.

2. How Much Help Does Your Household Need?

If you've already settled into the role of primary caregiver for a senior living in your home, you may want to continue providing whatever direct, personal care you can. Unfortunately, looking after seniors with severe lifestyle constrictions or medical conditions can prove stressful and exhausting, especially if you're juggling these efforts with a busy work schedule. At the same time, you may be either unable or unwilling to reassign this function to full-time outsourced aid. Ask yourself honestly how many hours of weekly assistance would ease your burden and allow you to maintain your own health and career. Many elderly home care providers can assign nurses or other assistants on whatever part-time schedule best suits your workload and budget, with the option of reducing or increasing the amount of care as needed.

3. How Can You Enhance Those Senior Home Care Services?

Senior home care services can make all the difference in your elderly resident's health, safety, and quality of life — but you may find that you can introduce other changes around the house that make those services even more effective. For instance, adding extra illumination to hazardous areas such as stairwells can help a senior with vision problems get around more safely and securely, reducing the need for constant assistance in getting around. Simply laying out the day's clothes for a senior with dementia can make dressing easier and less confusing, allowing the care provider to focus on other tasks that could use a helping hand.

The most important step of all in selecting elderly home care services is making sure that your choice feels right, both to you and to the seniors who trust your judgment. Schedule in-person consultations with a few different providers in your area, and ask plenty of questions until you know you're making the best possible decision!