When seeking home care assistance, Raleigh NC families should look for an agency of qualified geriatric professionals that will provide all of these services.
The Raleigh area is full of spouses caring for a sick or disabled loved one, aging baby boomers who have elderly parents, and older adults living independently who don't have family close by to assist in decisions related to care.
Choices that have to do with long-term care can be very complex: the elderly person's needs must first be assessed, then a plan of care must be created, and finally, services that meet the needs and budgets of the family must be arranged and monitored.
Let's imagine, for instance, that a family living in Wake Forest has been caring for their elderly grandmother in their home for several years since her husband passed.
The grandmother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's 9 months previous to that and her gradual cognitive deterioration is beginning to become evident.
Because of this, the family wants to keep the grandmother in the home where she is comfortable and things are familiar.
In the midst of an economic crisis, the breadwinner in the house has taken a major blow to their previously sustainable income.
Now, money is extremely tight and the breadwinner's spouse, who, prior to that, was staying at home to care for the grandmother, has to return to the workforce.
They realize that their only option is to bring someone into the home to give her the assistance she needs throughout the work week.
A solid element of trust should be present, as this person will be coming into their home and taking their loved one under their wing in a way that ensures their quality of life will be extended for as long as possible.
Whether hiring an independent caregiver or choosing an agency that contracts such professionals, there are a number of criteria the family should keep in mind.
The caregiver should be able to produce documentation of their qualifications and experience; they should have experience in the area of care that meets the specific needs of the patient; they should be bonded and insured; they should have no criminal history; they should have at least three good references; and finally, the caregiver should be caring and compassionate - in other words, the family and the patient should feel completely comfortable with the individual.