How to start the Care process-In and Out of the Home

(Alzheimer’s or other dementia)

To help you begin the Journey of finding a Home Health Aide or Senior Care Community I’ve compiled information over the years and through research. I do not recommend any establishment over the other. It is highly recommended that you pay severall visits at different times of the day to any Facility.

When it comes to advanced care (moving to a Facility) I have witnessed that providing a Home Health Aide or Care person to come to the home before placing a person in a Facility results in a smoother transition. Keeping the person in their home as long as possible could be less expensive and less traumatic in the initial planning stage. It can make it easier for your loved one to accept more care when that times.

“When a person requires help at home, hiring a Home Health Company is an excellent place to start. It is a gentle way for the person needing assistance with daily activities to begin accepting the help. Ask if the person coming to help can wear something other than “scrubs” or “clinic” wear. A collered shirt with a Logo is okay if they can cover the Logo from the Caree. The idea is to introduce the person as a “helper” for them and not as a “nurse” or medical assistance. This might meet with resistance or the comment “I don’t need any help.” This is my personal observation.

Here are a few things to look for in the Care Partner: Agency & Private (Adjust the questions accordingly for a person who isn’t living with dementia)

● Look for a person with experience in dementia, if needed

● Ask them how they will handle a catastrophic event: Agitation (dementia)

● Are they willing to take them for walks

● What will they do if there are inappropriate comments

● What will they do in case of an emergency

● Take a close look at grooming. Look for clean hair and nails. Notice the length of their nails. If they are long, that could present a problem with bathing, dressing, and anything that requires “hands-on” assistance.

● What type of shoes are they wearing? Are they slip-resistant?

● If they are individuals, do they provide a backup care person if they can’t make it?

● If private care: Are they willing to drive your loved one’s car? (Check with your insurance company for coverage.) Again, you would want to check your insurance coverage. Otherwise, you should be prepared to drive them yourself, and there will be many Medical appointments.

● What do their services cost? What services do they provide? For example, light housekeeping is usually included.

● Do they require minimum hours?

● Do they require background checks? Drug test?

● Is there a 24-hour contact?

The answers to these questions and any others you think of will help you find the right agency or care partner for your loved one.

Don’t hesitate to interview different caregiving companies. Find one that works well with you and your schedule. It’s a good idea to have a backup Company.

If you use a Private Caregiver, ensure they know YOU are the boss, not your loved one. Make sure they know you are the only one that can fire them.

Check references and don’t hesitate to call them. You need to have confidence the person coming into your home or theirs is vetted and can be trusted. Please do not skip this step. For peace of mind, you could purchase a small safe to protect medications and valuables.

Finding the right Agency or Care Partner can significantly increase the quality of life for your loved one who requires assistance with daily life activities. Hiring outside care assistance can also give you a good start to your support team. If you care for the person in your home, you will need a good respite care person.

Placing your loved one in a Senior Care Facility

Plan a personal visit to the Facility and see what they offer. Look for things like:

● What do they provide for activities and engagement.

● Do they have an accessible outside area?

● Is it Clean?

● Does it smell?

● Are there residents out and about or in their rooms?

● Do You feel comfortable there?

● Ask how many staff members are in the facility and how many are trained for medical emergencies.

Independent Living: Provides room, board, and other amenities. It does not provide Medical or Personal care. Most allow for third-party care. It is geared toward the older adult who does not want the work of home ownership and upkeep, is in relatively good health, and is looking for social activities in a safe environment.

Assisted Living: (The State governs.) They provide room, board (single or double), food, Medical care, and personal care for activities of daily living (ADLs). Most provide social activities. The degree of personal assistance for ADLs varies. Inquire if they

provide incontinence care and to what extent, and also how much they will assist with transfers.

Assisted living places are also known as residential care, adult care homes, or sometimes board and care homes. Some people mix up assisted living with nursing homes, but they're different. Nursing homes offer skilled nursing care that you can only get in assisted living if you hire a separate home care agency.

Respite Care provides short-term care for the person at home or in a facility. Most Insurance does not cover respite care. Most services charge by the hour with a 3-hour minimum.

Medicare will cover most of the cost of respite care in a hospital or skilled nursing facility for up to five days in a row for a person receiving hospice care.

Medicaid may also offer assistance.

You may find other funding sources within your state at the National Respite Locator ARCH. https://archrespite.org/respiteocator.