Our first experience with home health is this week; a lady is coming out to assess mom, her home etc.
Ideally this is what we'd like help with, but not sure how realistic it all is:
- companionship
- check her bed - see if it's wet, if so wash pad/sheets & change & put nightgown in laundry
- weekly laundry
- check her Depends; if they're overflowing her bucket, put in trash and take downstairs
- persuade Mom to do her exercises (ha!)
- light housekeeping (sweeping around her chair where she eats, doing dishes)
We want to make sure we ask all the questions we should - any suggestions? Is this what a home health person DOES?
Thank you!
1) Do they have kids and will childcare ever be a problem. If you're dealing with an agency ask them to explain how their fill-in policy works when a caregiver calls out sick.
2) Do they own their own car? Then ask to see registration and proof of insurance.
3) Ask for personal references from clients and families they have worked for that you can literally call on the phone and talk to. This one is probably the most important one of all. If they've got no one who will personally vouch for their caregiving skills and work ethic, do not consider them.
4) Read ALL agency paperwork very, very carefully. Make sure you look at the fine print because often times it is worded in such a way where they may only cover say $1,000 liability on an employee. So you agree to cover liability if a caregiver gets hurt on your property. Or if they break something you sue the caregiver directly. This is how agencies operate.
5) The caregiver or plural if there is more than one is to record daily in a notebook at the end of their shift (just like in a facility) any changes in the client's overall health and well-being, and if there were any obvious issues going on like they're in pain or are lethargic or have diarrhea or an upset stomach. You can ask each aide to call you at the end of their shifts, but most don't.
It would be your responsibility to review the notes and act accordingly.
6) Define what you mean by companionship also. I find in my long experience of 25 years in service that there's often misunderstandings when it comes to companionship. Many people don't tell the caregiver they expect them to talk continually and keep the elder engaged and entertained. Then they get upset when they don't or when a phone comes out of a purse.
7) Really define what you want as far as housekeeping goes. You mother will also have to understand that the caregiver is not going to get down and scrub a floor by hand (you'd be surprised how many people expect this).
8) Of course everything you expect gets put in writing. Also, let the caregiver know they cal call you if they need to.
Follow this list and you'll be fine.
Helped her shower and dress.
Changed sheets on her bed.
Light housekeeping in mom’s room.
Prepared simple meals/washed dishes that were used.
They did not wash her clothes.
I kept coffee, tea and snacks in the house for them to enjoy with my mom.
I would ask how much experience the person they are going to assign mom have?
Will this person be able to manage if mom begins to decline?
What happens if mom or you do not get along with the person assigned?
How much notice will you get if the caregiver calls in sick?
How fast can they get a replacement?
What is the company policy on the personal use of cell phone?
Have background checks been done?
Are you expecting the caregiver to provide / make lunch for mom?
If so how much prep will you do? Or can the caregiver go through your fridge and pantry and make a meal?
Phone usage, because if she's on the phone all the time minimums of all those thing get done.
I would consider security camera and would let her know they are there.
That is I would install them BEFORE she assesses the house and tell her that you DO use them and that bathrooms are not monitored.
Just me, if you are not in the home and mom is alone.
How many hours are you doing? Is it daily?
Have you checked with your insurance companies if there's a caregiver without agency insurance who will be in your home.
How are you vetting this person and what references do you have and how thoroughly do you intend to check them.
How able is Mom to be a reliable reporter to you?
Just some thoughts piling in. Hope others give you more.
Our state allows cameras to be installed in facilities too.
Make sure ALL personal items are locked in a safe. One that is large enough that it can not be easily moved. Also place it in an area where the caregivers will not be. (basement, main bedroom closet, unless that is where mom will be)
Make sure ALL financial information is locked away.
If there are rooms that you do not want the caregiver entering the safest thing is to lock those rooms.
It should be understood in writing beforehand that a caregiver not take gifts and that they can’t bring minor children to work. Confirm to the agency that this is their policy, and if that’s not a strict yes I’d remove them from consideration. Same with an independent caregiver.
My mom wouldn’t be concerned if they were running late or needed to come earlier but she did want to know what time they were arriving.
Ask the staff to tell you if they were coming a bit earlier than usual or later than the designated arrival time.
I rarely had any reason to complain but whenever I did call our agency to report an incident, I was satisfied with how it was handled.
There was one caregiver that gelled with mom the best and at my request the agency sent her to us on a regular basis.
Our caregiver went above and beyond for my mother. She was very patient and caring.
Mom was very slow and rigid due to her Parkinson’s disease. A shower would wear my mother out. She generally took a nap afterwards.
The caregiver even asked if she could help me when my mother was napping. I never asked her to do any additional work for us. She seemed to be the type of person who preferred staying busy over sitting.
I do wish caregivers were paid more. I can understand why there is a shortage of help at times.
Walgreens, Target and Cub Foods supermarket home delivery are well worth the delivery fees, I always get the "free" or lowest fee by ordering extra things that I'll always use. I shop LOTS on the web.
I have been living this way for 10 years as my MS progressed. I am 80 years old, have had MS since 1978 and live in a 1-floor house with my husband and grandniece. My husband helps me in so many ways.