Your dad’s heart attack left him with more care needs than you expected. He needs to have help every day, but you don’t know where to get started. You have many questions and don’t know what to do next. Here are the FAQs regarding in-home care services.
How Does Home Care Work?
A lot of families know what caregivers can do, but they’re not sure exactly how it works. A caregiver is scheduled to go to your dad’s house on the assigned days. A list of his care needs is available, and the caregiver goes through that list to ensure everything is done by the end of the day or shift.
If your dad’s caregiver wakes up with a fever or clear signs of an illness like a stomach virus or can’t start a car, the caregiver alerts the agency as soon as possible. You’ll be alerted and another caregiver goes to your dad’s home to help out until the regular caregiver is better or able to get to your dad’s house.
Can Family Members Still Help Out?
You want to provide some of the help your dad needs, or it could be you’re coming to town for a two-week visit. Are you allowed to help him if he has caregivers?
Let the home care team know when you plan to be at your dad’s house to help out. His caregivers work with you to ensure he still has the help he needs while you’re there. You can take over the tasks you’re confident helping him with and caregivers do the rest.
How Easy Is It To Change Services?
Once in-home care is arranged, how easy is it to change services? Can you quickly drop a service and add another or are care plans pretty rigid once they’re set?
The point of in-home care is to make it so that it adjusts to your dad’s needs. If he’s going through therapy and getting stronger, his care plan changes to meet his new needs. If he no longer needs help in the shower, that’s great. He may decide he wants to drop personal care but stick with laundry and housekeeping services, he can.
How Do You Get Started?
First, gather the family via an online video chat or meet in person to talk about your dad’s needs after his heart attack. Make sure he’s part of this conversation. Second, as you talk about the things the doctors say and get your dad’s input, start building a list of the areas where he needs help. You need this list handy when you talk to an in-home care agency.
Do you have other questions? An in-home care advisor is happy to go over your questions and ensure you have the answers you need to book services. Get started today.