Paid Home Care Assistance

By Lisa Cook Bayer

Lisa Cook Bayer, J.D., is President of Life Management Resources, LLC, a private elder care advocacy firm located in northern New Jersey.

Paid home care assistance is a type of support service that can assist a person who is recuperating from an acute injury or suffering from a chronic illness or disease. Services can vary from skilled care performed by a registered nurse to unskilled housekeeping services provided by an individual with life long experience. Home care makes it possible for people to remain safe and comfortable in their homes. It also offers the family caregivers respite and a chance to recharge their emotional and physical health.

There are different types and categories of home care personnel. For example, a registered nurse provides skilled medical care which includes administering and monitoring medication, dressing wounds, and teaching the patient and other family members how to use specialized equipment. Other types of specialized services often provided in the home include physical and occupational therapy. These therapists assist patients with regaining speech, cognitive, and gross and fine motor skills. Home health “aides” can be certified or not and assist their clients with bathing, dressing, toileting, meal preparation and light cleaning. Lastly, companions or “homemakers” provide unskilled care which includes companionship and help maintaining the client’s home. They do not provide any direct personal care to their clients.

Families can hire a home care services directly by calling the company or agency, or they may choose to go through a care manager. Many people prefer to use a geriatric care manager for a private assessment of the client’s needs. The care manager can also help coordinate and monitor home care and other services independently from agency involvement, offering the family and clients another set of “eyes” and the opportunity for intervention, should it become necessary, with the direct service provider. To find a care manager in your area you may go to www.caremanager.org.

When hiring a home care company it is important to ask questions about agency philosophy, background checks, paperwork the client is responsible for and the agency’s caregiver substitute policy. To find home care agencies in your area you may visit www.NAHC.org. For people interviewing non-agency caregivers it is important to do a thorough background check which includes immigration status if necessary. Proper insurance should be verified and acquired and there should be a discussion regarding substitute caregiver protocol.

In summary, home care services can be invaluable to both the family and the patient/client offering peace of mind and enhancing quality of life for all.

Written by Lisa Bayer, President, Life Management Resources LLC
www.LMReldercare.com
LBayer@LMReldercare.com