They Growing up, your parents were there to support you and ensure you got the best education from the best schools they could afford. may not have provided you with everything you wished for, but in their little way, they were able to show how much they cared.
Now that they’re in their golden years in need of support and care, it is understandable if you are looking to hire a reliable care provider to take care of them while you pursue your career and focus on other stuff.
But choosing an in-home care service for your aging mom or dad isn’t that easy because any decision you make will eventually affect their quality of life for the remaining time they have on earth, especially if (whoever) you choose ends up being abusive and rude to them.
So, let’s walk through some tips to help you select the right service.
Prioritize Your Parent’s Needs
Are you sure you understand what your parent needs at this stage of their life? This isn’t just about making a list of tasks – it’s about understanding the full picture of their daily life, struggles, and desires.
Spend some time with your mom or dad and observe their routine. Do they struggle with mobility? Do they need help moving safely around the house? Are they forgetting to take medications or having trouble preparing meals? Perhaps they’re physically okay but need someone around them to talk to. Each of these scenarios calls for a different type of care.
Don’t be too busy to chat with them about what they’re experiencing and want. Sometimes, they may hesitate to let you know they need help because they love their independence and don’t want someone telling them what to do and what not to do.
So, ensure they understand the benefit of the conversation you are having and let them know that in-home care isn’t about taking away their control of things; instead, it is a way of helping them enjoy their golden years without having to live in solitude or go through pains to handle minor tasks.
As Michael Newman of Always Best Care, a reputable home care service in Kernersville, NC , would recommend, always make sure it’s their decision and not yours. Do not impose the idea on them, but rather convince and involve them in the process.
Know the Different Types of Services
Care services come in different forms, and a particular provider’s specialty may differ from the others. So, know what your parent needs and use that to evaluate the type of care provider to look for.
Personal Care Provider
Personal care services focus on assisting with daily living activities. This might include help with bathing, dressing, grooming, and mobility. If your parent is very old, then they’ll need support in these areas.
A Homemaker
If you have a parent who loves staying at home or is too old to manage their property, consider hiring a homemaker. They’ll help with light housekeeping, laundry, meal preparation, emptying the trash, grocery shopping, and running errands for them.
A Skilled Nurse
The National Council on Aging did a recent study in 2024 and discovered that around 95% of adults aged 60 and above were battling at least one chronic condition, and around 80% had two or more. Your loved one might be in this category, so a nurse might be the right care provider to hire. They will help your parent with their meds, tend to their wounds (if they have any), and help monitor their chronic condition.
A Companion
It might be that your parent is physically fine and healthy, and all they want is someone to talk to, to share activities with, or to accompany them on outings. There are care providers that offer services like these, and you can get the most qualified to serve your loved one in this area.
Many providers offer a combination of these services, so you might not need to hire them separately. However, ensure you ask them about the areas they cover during the interview and avoid assumptions.
The Interview Process
The interview phase is perhaps the most important step in hiring the right provider, and depending on your finances or insurance coverage, you may decide to work with an agency or a private care provider.
Agencies are usually more expensive but easier to vet and more reliable than individuals. Irrespective of which you decide to work with, the most critical aspect is getting to know who will care for your loved one.
So, prepare a list of questions with your family members that you’ll ask the agency or individual. Don’t just interview a few; get as many as you can so you have enough options to choose from.
Ask about their experience with clients similar to your loved one, and observe closely. Do they seem genuinely interested in understanding your parents’ specific situation? The right provider will welcome your questions and demonstrate expertise through their responses.
In all these, it is also very important to include your loved one in the decision-making process. They must be comfortable with the caregiver you’re planning to hire, and that can only happen if they are involved in the whole thing. As Michael Newman suggested, don’t force it. Allow them to decide who they are fine with.
Wrapping Up
It’s okay if you’re not 100% sure about the provider you eventually hire. The truth is, you won’t know exactly how things will work out until care begins. What’s important is that you’ve approached this decision thoughtfully with the help of the tips provided here and with your parent’s best interests at heart.
This is a Sponsored Post – the author has requested this post be shared on WE Magazine for Women and WE were compensated for sharing.
The post How to Choose the Best In-Home Care for an Aging Parent appeared first on WE magazine for women.