A number of Seniors like the idea of staying at home as the thought of moving into a new environment with people they do not know can be very undesirable. Hiring a caregiver to help them with daily living activities is the alternative solution.


What is home care?

Home care is also referred to as domiciliary care or In-Home Care. The term Home Care is used to describe a non-medical service provided in the comfort of one’s own home.

Home Care should not be confused with Home Health Care as it involves different types of services. The main difference is that Home Health Care requires a specialized medical service prescribed by a Physician. Licensed medical professionals provide services for this type of care as they undergo extensive training on how to deal with specific medical conditions.

Some of the services available for Home Care include:

1. Activities of Daily Living- eating, bathing, toileting, dressing, and other personal care services
2. Homemaking- cleaning, laundry, cooking
3. Companionship
4. Transportation needs for shopping, banking, etc.

Industry research and studies indicate that Home Care can even be cheaper compared to moving to an Assisted Living or Nursing Homes. This is of course depending on the senior’s health condition and if any medical specific services are required. However, it is still advisable to compare care options and prices for Senior Care Communities in your area so you can make the best decision for you or your loved one.

How do you find a Caregiver or a Home Care Provider?

Do your research. You can ask your family and friends for referral or go through an In-Home Care Agency. It’s your choice. Just be sure to interview the caregiver thoroughly to help you find the right fit according to your needs and wants.

Here are some ways on how to locate private providers or In-Home Care Agencies:

1. Talk to your family and friends for referral.
2. Yellow Pages- Look up Senior Services, Senior Care, Home Health, Home Care, etc.
3. The Internet- Check the web for caregiver listings
4. Ask your doctor or hospital for referrals
5. Newspaper ads- Check the classified ads sections, specially the Sunday paper
6. The Eldercare Locator- This is a government service on aging. They have an online database for senior service agencies. You can call them at 1-800-677-1116 (Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Eastern time). Click here to search their online database.
7. Senior Organizations in your area- Contact them for any referrals.

To get helpful information about hiring in-home caregivers for you or your aging relative, read Tips for Hiring Independent Home Care Providers.

Related Article: Home Care vs Home Health Care

Other La Dolce Living Helpful Links:

• Seniors Online Community & Discussion Forum
• Senior Care Facility Search
• Senior Facility Registration

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