Home health care is one of the best ways you can support aging relatives or parents living independently at home, from just visiting and checking in to aiding daily activities like bathing, grooming and meal prep. Setting clear and realistic boundaries between yourself and them is essential – taking on too much responsibility can result in burnout so it is crucial that these boundaries are set before overextending yourself with caregiving duties – setting limits and seeking help when needed are essential measures of support for everyone involved.
As there are several indicators that it may be time for home health care for a family member, but it can sometimes be hard to recognize these changes. A sudden shift in someone’s health, an unexpected trip to the emergency room, or an alarming incident can serve as an eye-opener and prompt family members to step in and provide extra assistance.
Once you’ve decided it’s time to find home care assistance, the ideal method would be obtaining a referral from either a friend or family member. Otherwise, research any agencies or individuals you are considering hiring – check the Better Business Bureau, ask for references and ensure they are licensed before making a final decision. It would also be beneficial if you discuss with your loved one their wishes for future care so you can try fulfilling as close to them as possible.
One effective strategy to get loved ones onboard with home health care is reminding them that it will actually increase their independence. Elderly adults may be afraid that receiving help in the home means losing independence; therefore, approaching conversations about getting help this way may be useful.
Example: “A house call doctor can offer more personalized attention than would be available through hospital care, creating the potential for a deeper bond between patient and physician.
Home health care services can also assist by preventing unnecessary hospital readmissions. Constant trips to emergency rooms could be an indication that additional care at home may be necessary in order to minimize exposure to germs and other dangerous conditions.
Medicare, Medicaid and private health care insurance often cover some or all of the cost of home health care services. Check with your provider to understand your options and how to access them; five wishes offers an online tool that helps aging loved ones create advance directives outlining what kind of care they would prefer in an emergency as well as long-term wishes – having these documents in place may prevent disagreements or disputes later and will make getting home health care simpler for everyone involved.