What to Look for in a Home Caregiver
Every family has different needs. Before hiring a home caregiver, you may need to ask questions about the following:
- Professional licenses. The HCSB licenses for-profit home care companies. While some home care companies may hold additional licenses, they should—at a minimum—be certified to perform basic home care activities.
- The extent and type of care they can provide. Many senior citizens live largely independent lives. However, if your relative uses a catheter or requires regular intravenous injections, you may need a caregiver with a medical license. Licensed caregivers can perform basic medical tasks and help an elder with other routine chores, from meal preparation to personal grooming and toileting.
- Companionship services. Some caregivers also provide companionship-type services. A companion caregiver may spend additional time with a client, engaging in casual conversation, playing board games, or otherwise fulfilling their social needs.
While choosing a qualified home caregiver could seem challenging, a California elder planning attorney could help you explore your possibilities for integrating a loved one’s well-being with an estate plan, insurance policy, or state-sponsored subsidies program.
