Trying to figure out how to care for an aging loved one can be a daunting task. Your loved one has unique needs, and so do you. Healthcare is an industry, but you don’t want to be treated like a number. Your family member is much more than a medical chart. There are so many services offered and just as many companies vying for your attention. So how do you begin to sort through geriatric home care options? Three main factors will help you narrow the field.
Health
Making sure your loved one is provided with the best physical care is of the foremost importance. Quality providers will employ experienced, registered nurses. The nurses will be trained in medication administration, post-operative care, bed and chair transfers, condition-specific dietary needs and more. They will keep organized records of medication dosages and treatments administered.
Comfort
When it’s time to hire help for your family member, providing peace and confidence is also an important goal. Comfort is important to everyone, but it becomes especially meaningful as time passes. Compassionate geriatric home care providers will staff only caregivers who go beyond tending to your loved one’s medical needs. They will learn the childhood stories, remember the names of grandchildren and learn preferred routines and personal quirks. They will listen attentively, console and encourage as needed. These providers will not settle for meeting basic needs but will strive to staff registered nurses who aim to be companions.
Trust
Caregiving staff will likely spend more time with your loved one than anyone else, so it’s important to find a geriatric home care provider you trust. The best providers will run thorough background checks, require multiple references and personally monitor employee performance over time. They will keep detailed ledgers of nurses’ health certifications and consider communication skills a must. They will keep in touch with you, and they will not hesitate to answer your questions.
When hiring geriatric home care nurses, you can have confidence that your loved one will be in good hands. The peace that accompanies that assurance is priceless.
