Tips For Hiring A Live-In Healthcare Aide

If you have a loved one who needs around-the-clock care but is not willing to move into an assisted living facility or nursing home, then you may want to hire an in-home aid to stay with them instead. This person will move into your loved one's home and provide care. Usually, they'll be there five days a week, sometimes with a secondary "relief" worker taking over for them on their days off. 

Hiring a live-in healthcare aid can make your loved one's life easier and safer. However, the hiring process is not always easy. Here are a few tips that can help you along the way.

Call your loved one's insurance company first

Your loved one's insurance company may cover the cost of an in-home caregiver. Or, they may cover at least part of the cost. However, there may be specifications as to which companies you can hire through. So, it is a good idea to call the health insurance company first, before you start calling around to providers. The insurance company may give you a short list of companies that accept their plan, which will help narrow down your options and simplify things.

Ask for a doctor's opinion on the care needed

As someone who is close to your loved one, it can be easy to either overestimate or underestimate how much care they need. So, it's good to get their doctor's input. Ask whether the doctor recommends that they have help with medications, dressing, preparing meals, etc. You can then pass on the doctor's recommendations to the home health care agency, and you can be confident that the services provided will be adequate.

Meet with the specific aids who will be offering care

Having someone move into your loved one's home is different from having someone drop by a few times a week to provide care. You really want to make sure the caregiver you hire gets along with your loved one and helps them feel comfortable. Someone may be an excellent caregiver, but their personality may not mesh with your loved one's personality — and that's okay! Make sure you and your loved one meet personally with the specific aid being recommended. If it doesn't feel right, tell the agency; they can recommend someone else instead.

Hiring an in-home healthcare aid can be a great way to ensure your loved one gets the care they need. With the tips above, you can navigate the process with greater ease.

If you need live-in care, reach out to a company like Mid-Hudson Managed Home Care Inc.