Aging Parents Archives - Multi Gen Today

Aging in place is the goal of most Americans. Eighty-eight percent of older adults want to stay in their homes as long as possible. But for the Sandwich Generation, adults who have children but care for their aged parents, helping an aged parent stay home can be challenging. Whether your parent lives alone or is living with you, home health care can be vital for her safety and your peace of mind. You can't be with your mother or father 24/7. You need help. But how do you find the right home health care? Talking to Your Aged Parent About Living at Home Regardless of her age or situation, your parent is an adult. And should be treated as one. The temptation is just to tell your mother or father that you're hiring a caregiver, but that can be met with resistance. That’s because they hear you saying they can’t take care of themselves, and that’s frightening to them. It’s another way they see their independence slipping away. Without dictating, start a discussion. Let your parents know how busy and tired you've been. Between the kids, the job and helping them, you haven’t had any time to rest. You love helping them but fear they’re being shortchanged, and your kids are being shortchanged. At that point, you've opened the door to begin discussing the possibility of having a caregiver come into the house. It could be for something as simple as laundry and housekeeping. Or it could be helping with bathing and grooming. Whatever the need is, present it in a positive way to your parents. Discuss the advantages of home health care for them, for you and any other family members. Emphasize that your parents aren’t a “burden”. That’s the thing they fear most. But they don’t want to lose control. So, assure them they will have control over who enters the house. Choosing to Hire Home Health Care for Aged Parent If they live in their own home, they may or may not still be fighting you about it. "I don't want some stranger coming into my home", is often heard by adult children trying to help their parents. If your parents live with you, it may be a little easier. Either way, continue to emphasize that they will have control over who enters the house. This means your parents need to be a part of the selection process. Even if your parent isn’t capable of participating in the process, explain what you are trying to do for them. When choosing an in-home health care provider, decide what services you'll need. Do you want homemaker services, or do you need a home health aide (HHA)? Another article that may help: Living with a Difficult Aged Parent Home Health Care Services for an Aged Parent Are you aware of the many tasks services in-home companies offer? For one, there are the types. They include homemaker services and HHA. You'll need homemaker services if you need household tasks and companionship services. Some of the services they provide include: cleaning preparing meals errands and grocery shopping laundry provide activities that bring a smile and provide mental stimulation etc. A homemaker service will help your aged parents maintain independence and keep them safe. This service provides companionship and alleviates feelings of isolation or loneliness. It takes the pressure off you to visit multiple times daily. This doesn't mean you ignore your parents; it only means you don’t feel compelled to always be there. A home health aide provides healthcare services. If your parent needs consistent medical care or assistance with personal care, this is the service you will choose. Understanding the difference between the two services is important. It will help you choose the best-trained person to help your parents. Knowing the services you need will also help you estimate the cost. How Much Will Home Health Care for Aged Parents Cost In 2023 homemaker services generally run $28 per hour. This cost is expected to increase to $37 in the next ten years. A home health aide's hourly rate is generally $29. And it is expected to rise to $39 in ten years. If you’re interested in adult day care in 2023, the rate is about $83 daily. By 2033, the average daily rate will be approximately $111. This is an investment. And for some, it may seem out of reach. But keep in mind these are hourly rates. You don't have to have a companion all day, every day. A couple of hours a day or week may suffice. Another article that may help: Convincing My Parents to Move in With Me Questions to ask Home Health Care Providers For some home care agencies, it's a calling to help seniors, but for others, it's just a job. Find out which one you're dealing with. Ask around for referrals. Talk to your parents' doctor and friends who have been in this situation. If you don’t know anyone who has used in-home health care, go online and look at reviews. Whether you discuss home health care providers with your parent’s doctor or go online to find a company, there are questions you need to ask. Remember to check the references of any agency you're considering. Insist on talking to people who have used the agency's services. Other questions are how long the company's been in business and if they do background checks. You also may want to ask how many employees the company has. Is it a small business or large? A large company that's been in business for a while signals stability, but will your parents get lost in the crowd? What kind of care plan do they develop? Is it detailed, or does it seem vague? And find out if the agency helps seniors emotionally. You’ll want to make sure that the agency keeps you involved in the care and that they listen to input. Ask if they have a procedure for finding your parents' best caregiver. Do they just assign anyone, or do they match the caregiver to your parents based on needs and personalities? When asking questions, make sure you let the agency know what goals and expectations you have about their service. This way, you'll all be on the same page right from the beginning. Legal Questions for Home Health Care Providers Some legal questions will need to be addressed. We've already mentioned background checks. But what about driving checks? This is especially important if the caregiver will be driving your parent to the store or doctor appointments. Inquire and ask to see the agency's liability insurance policy. You'll also want to ensure a caregiver is bonded and insured for theft. You don't want to find your great-grandmother's broach missing only to find no insurance. Asking if the caregiver is an employee or contract worker is vital. You want to make sure worker's compensation covers them. If they are injured in the house and don't have worker's compensation, you or your parents are vulnerable to a lawsuit. Check with your state and find out if there have been any complaints or suits against the agency. Be leery of hiring someone not associated with an agency. They may come highly recommended, but they'll probably not have insurance or be bonded. And you'll also have to run a background check. You need to protect yourself and your parents. Finding the Right In-Home Care Provider for Your Aged Parent Finding the right in-home care provider is imperative. Let your parents be part of the decision. One way to do this is to ask the agency for caregiving trials. Let your parents experience different caregivers until they find the one that suits them. You may still have some pushback from a tenacious parent, but it should be less intense since they're part of the decision-making process. Be patient and keep explaining why this is important.