Q. I’m a spousal caregiver to my wife, who has Parkinson’s disease. Her care needs are beginning to exceed what I can manage. Although we have daughters in the area who stop by frequently during the week, we don’t want to become a burden to them. I think it’s time for us to hire a professional caregiver to help my wife, but we don’t know where to start. Do you have any advice for us as we begin to search for home care? What should we look for?
A. Thank you for your question. It takes courage to admit we need help, so I want to start by applauding your awareness of your limitations and willingness to get the support you both need in this season of your life.
Elder in-home care companies exist for such cases as yours. Home care provides professional caregivers to assist with both activities of daily living (dressing, bathing, mobility) and instrumental activities of daily living (more complex tasks, such as laundry, light housekeeping, and meal preparation). Beyond assisting, professional caregivers offer companionship and emotional support. They also give spousal and family caregivers a respite, so they can step away and feel refreshed.
Before you begin your search for home care, make a brief list of what type of specific help you need. Do you need help with her personal care, such as showering a couple of times a week? Do you need someone to keep her company while you run errands? Do you need more hands-on care for more extended periods? Having a basic sense of what type of care you need will help direct your search. You can eliminate home care companies that don’t offer the care services you need.
As you contact home care companies, here are a few things to look for during the interview process.
Look for a company that can accommodate a variety of care needs. Parkinson’s disease is progressive. It’s in your best interest to choose a company that can adapt its care plan as your wife’s needs change over time. This allows both you and your wife to build a strong rapport with her caregiver and the home care company.
Choose a company that has a great reputation. Look for a home care company that has been around for several years and gives back to the local community. The longer a home care company has served in the community is telling of its commitment to the elderly population in the area. Longevity also means that the company has had time to establish best practices.
Another quality to look for is how the home care company selects and trains its caregivers. Ask how the company hires new employees and what the orientation process looks like. You want to choose a company that takes the time to vet applicants, including background checks and verifying references. In addition, home care companies should take the time to train and orient new caregivers, as well as provide ongoing caregiving training to the entire caregiving team.
Finally, take time to read reviews of each home care company that you’re considering. Browse online for reviews and note when the review was written. Choose a company that has earned a positive reputation and does its best to keep both clients and caregivers happy.
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