In-Home Care for Elderly Parents

in home care for seniors

In-Home Care for Elderly Parents: The Pros and Cons of Hiring a Private Caregiver vs. Home Care Agency

If your parents are elderly and want to remain at home,  it will be essential to engage in-home care at some point. Inform your parents or loved one that hiring help isn’t an indication of weakness, and “giving up”, but instead, it is a sign of common sense and recognizing limits.

The majority of seniors will require the help of a senior care professional at home to help in personal care and other activities associated with daily life. It could be assistance with grooming, bathing, dressing, food preparation, taking medications as well as walking and exercising. It may also include shopping and running errands, cleaning, housekeeping, and laundry.

Maybe your parents aren’t able to be left on their own and require assistance, or perhaps you’re the main caregiver and need some time to take care of yourself. There are many reasons to employ home care.

In the majority of cases, the nurse aide is able to offer this kind of care. Employing an RN or LPN is not essential for home care that requires custodial services, but only in cases where skilled care is required.

Now, the question is whether you should hire the nurse aid through a Home Care Agency or hire a private caretaker directly. There’s no definitive solution to the question. Let’s examine the advantages and cons of both options.

Private Caregiver

PROS

  • You are responsible for the selection process and accepting your final choice.
  • It is possible to skip formal education or certifications and instead think about the value of experience.
  • Personal caregivers can be a great option, particularly when the options for home care providers are limited.
  • Employing private caregivers is less expensive than working through an agency for home care.
  • It gives caregivers the chance to work on their own and earn better pay.

CONS

  • It can be difficult to locate caregivers.
  • You should have a backup plan for when your caregiver is unavailable.
  • Conducting a personal interview, confirming references, as well as conducting background checks can be time-consuming.
  • You are responsible for managing the payroll of employees and keeping tax records, as well as withholding Social Security, Medicare, and unemployment tax.
  • You are responsible for work associated accidents at home.

Home Care Agency

PROS

  • You can choose from many caregivers from the agency.
  • The majority of agencies provide backup caregivers in case your regular one isn’t available.
  • Nursing assistants are trained and have certifications that are validated at the time of hire.
  • Background checks and references for caregivers are checked at the time of hiring.
  • The home care agencies must supervise their staff and assess the performance of their aides.
  • Caregivers take part in continuing training.

Home care providers licensed by the state carry liability insurance. Many are covered by workers’ compensation.
Employees are bonded or insured to guard against loss and damage.

CONS

  • There could be a variety of different caregivers, causing disruption in parental care.
  • Being less involved in the choice of your parent’s caretaker could result in stress and anger.
  • Home care services are more expensive than private caregivers since they are required to pay for recruiting,
  • Hiring, orienting payroll deductions, and continuous supervision and training of their employees.

Whatever your decision is, whether to employ a private caretaker or use a home care agency, you’ll find it easy to have a dedicated caregiver. Being at ease with the caregivers in your home could be a bit of a process but their benefits will be evident quickly. Effective communication, clearly stating the expectations and demands of your caregiver, and focusing on positive feedback can create a positive connection and a warm relationship with your loved one. Caregivers as is the case for many of us must be praised for their work and appreciate it often expressed. This will inspire your caregiver to build an attitude of commitment and loyalty to family and friends as well as your parents.

If you or your aging loved one is considering home care or home health services, the skilled and caring professionals at Attentive Care Service Agency would be happy to help. Please contact us at 215-477-2100 to learn more about our services.

Aylah Small
Aylah Small
April 4, 2020.
I had a wonderful experience. I HIGHLY recommend others come here. ❤️
Raheem Jaquan
Raheem Jaquan
April 4, 2020.
The agency is extremely welcoming, very professional, and great overall! I definitely recommend Attentive Care Service Agency
mirah Melton
mirah Melton
April 4, 2020.
Its very inspiring ?
Mena Green
Mena Green
April 4, 2020.
Great experience using this agency. Great service excellent communication will refer this company.
Sakinah Saleem
Sakinah Saleem
April 4, 2020.
Awesome service.
Rhonda Grady
Rhonda Grady
April 3, 2020.
I can say that from personal experience, I have learned that this agency represents quality over quantity. Plain and simple, it is hard to find caregivers who actually care. Finding good caregivers and good agencies is like finding a needle in a haystack. It's good to know that there is a place who actually stand by their name; Attentive Care!!
RevDonald King
RevDonald King
March 13, 2020.
My experience with attentive care services agency has been outstanding. The professionalism and care that are Express while providing care and services to the clients come above The expectations of our clients. my experience has been that when providing home care you must have the personal professional touch and this agency does exactly that. Whenever there is a need to make referrals for home care attendant care services agency is first in line knowing whoever selects this agency is guaranteed the best care ever. Attentive care service agency I take my hat off to you keep upThe very good work as you provide this top of the line home care service to those in need Respectfully Rev.Donald E King
Ajherp
Ajherp
April 21, 2019.
I have done some graphic design work for this company and I have to say, the professionalism that has been shown so far has been remarkable. I wouldn't rate it anything less than 5 stars.
Siani Madi
Siani Madi
April 15, 2019.
Great customer service and very helpful!

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