Selecting Appropriate Senior Care for Your Parents

By BEN ADEL | Special to the Palisadian-Post

Even when aging parents continue to live and thrive independently, there will likely come a time when extra help is needed. With so many factors to consider and so many senior care options available, it can be hard to figure out what form of care is best for your parent. There are, however, a few things you can do.

Pay Attention To Their Specific Needs

Every person is different and needs can be mental, emotional and, of course, physical. The first step is to determine the specific needs of your loved one. Trends continue to point to a growing desire for most to remain in their home when possible and to have extra help come to them.

There is not a “one size fits all” prescription and care requirements can range from caregiving that includes bathing, feeding, companionship, running errands and more. Maybe your parent needs a few visits per week or maybe they need multiple visits per day. And for those needing more medical attention on a regular basis, Home Health practitioners can fill in the gaps as needed. Taking an honest look at their unique needs will inform how much and what additional support they require.

Discuss In-Home Care Options With Your Loved Ones

The most common care options at home for seniors include:

• Home Care Services: These include a wide variety of caregiving services like providing companionship, medication reminders, bathing, dressing, light housekeeping, grocery shopping, meal preparation, feeding and more.
• Home Health Services: These come into play when an ongoing medical team gets involved to administer treatments, medications and specific medical services. Home Health will often include Skilled Doctors, Nurses, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Certified Home Health Aids and more.
• Hospice Services: These important comfort services are for those dealing with a terminal illness and can include Pain Management, Emotional and Spiritual Care, Family Support and Long term Care Insurance Help.

Bringing Up The Best Options With Your Loved Ones

Be sure to spend time discussing options for Home Care and Home Health with your parents. Having a say in the help you receive can be very empowering, and reputable senior care companies will place a strong emphasis on aligning preferences and a caregiver match.

Many older people fear losing independence so it’s important to have multiple conversations with them about their needs. It can be a difficult idea to get used to, so identifying one or two particularly critical areas they need assistance in first can help. Talking this over as early as possible can be helpful, in case neurological and cognitive impairment prevent this further down the line.

How Finances and Insurance May Inform Your Choices

Finances will play into your final decision on care. Being well-informed in this area can help in making choices. Luckily there are plenty of government programs such as Medi-Cal that cover care costs. You can check eligibility by visiting dhcs.ca.gov/services/medi-cal or speaking with one of their advisors. Care providers can often help you apply for financial support too.

The Balance of Genuine Needs and Independence

Factoring in the emotional needs of your parent is also very important. While some seniors are happy to spend time alone, others may require more human contact with caregivers who can provide meaningful companionship. Parents may feel sensitive about being a burden to you but still need the assistance. They may also have strong views about entering care homes.

Many people may find that at-home care meets the middle ground between no support and entering a care home. It can help maintain a sense of independence and comfort while still allowing them to receive the support they need.

Whatever type of care you choose, meeting your parent’s individual needs should form the basis of decisions around their care. Many providers can work with you to find carers to suit your loved one’s unique requirements and help you put a strong care plan in place.

Private Care vs Agency Caregivers? How Do I Decide?

Some of the benefits that come with a Home Care and Home Health Agency include:

• Avoiding tax implications and overtime fees as required by the federal government and the state of California to pay to private caregivers.
• Full caregiver management and added attention to senior needs on a high level. Caregivers are busy with daily tasks. Management helps keep the process moving smoothly.
• Full background checks are performed, with caregivers fully vetted as the agency’s employees. Reputable agencies are typically licensed and accredited for.
• Employee caregivers with agencies receive benefits as added incentives for strong performance.
• Workers’ compensation is provided for caregivers so that families do not incur the risks associated with workplace injuries.

If you’re deciding on Senior Care options for your loved one, we welcome you to open the conversation with our experienced team today.

Ben Adel is founder of Luxe Homecare, a Pacific Palisades-based homecare agency offering services in Los Angeles, Orange County and Riverside. They offer round-the-clock support including registered nurses (RN and LVN) and rehabilitation services. Think your loved one might benefit from extra support? Contact the Luxe team on 310-459-3535 or visit luxehomecare.com.