If you have an elderly parent who has mobility problems, is having trouble caring for themselves, or is suffering from a chronic condition, you may need additional care. This situation is difficult for entire families and while nursing homes are one option, they are not the only option.
In some cases, an elderly loved one simply does not want to go to a nursing home. In other cases, a nursing home may not be required since a family member can provide care some of the time and only occasional nursing care or caregiving is needed. Many families are also concerned about the level of care in nursing homes or about he high costs involved.
If you are considering working with a caregiver rather than having your loved one placed in a nursing home, there are several things you will want to do:
- Speak to your physician or another medical professional about the options. Your doctor may be able to recommend a number of solutions that don’t involve nursing homes. Your physician can also help you understand whether a nursing home is truly the safest and best environment for an elderly loved one.
- Get recommendations. Look for caregivers who can drop by your family member’s home a few times a week or as often as needed. Talk to other families who have made a similar decision or talk to healthcare professionals who may be familiar with local caregiving professionals who can provide a high standard of care.
- Look for an experienced professional and interview them. You may need someone who is a registered nurse or simply someone who is experienced with a specific chronic condition. Once you find a handful of people who meet your required credentials, interview them to see how comfortable you feel with them and with their abilities.
- Always double check references and run a background check. A caregiver has a great deal of control over a family member’s life, especially if they will be transporting them by car to appointments or to run errands. Always do a full background check to ensure that they are safe and do not have a history of abusing their charges or a history of car accidents. Also, always verify references to ensure that the caregiving professional you’re considering has the expertise you want as well as a caring background.
If you or a family member have been injured by a caregiver, contact Flaxman Law Group at 1-866-352-9626 (1-866-FLAXMAN) to speak to a Homestead senior abuse attorney.