Home health care: What you need to know if you have an aging parent
As baby boomers continue to age, the influx of 55+ adults into our society is expected to put a financial strain on our state. People with Alzheimer’s disease in San Diego alone are expected to nearly double by 2030. This projection from the California Alzheimer’s Association means that these next 20 years will be a time of great testing for our health care and medical institutions. health. Alzheimer’s and dementia are among the most widespread diseases that rob our older adults of their independence at a time when their health is most fragile and care is most important. Although researchers of these diseases are hopeful for future treatment and possible reversal of the disease, it is fair to say that until a significant discovery is made, the future looks bleak for adult care in California. Most families who would otherwise turn to a nursing home for the care of their elderly parents will turn to their families and hourly at home to care for their elderly relatives when they are unable to do so.
According to a study by the Institute for Health and Aging at the University of California, San Francisco, it currently costs nearly $97,000 a year for a patient living in a nursing home. This number is expected to grow significantly with the rising cost of health care due to the growing number of California seniors and budget cuts in our state. Many people do not earn this amount of income in 1 year, and with the high cost of living in San Diego, the future of adult care in San Diego is expected to be in home care with beneficiary family members. .
When it comes to deciding what to do with an aging family member, planning ahead can help avoid confusion and make the process easier. When meeting with the whole family to discuss the matter, you can discuss who will care for the person, where they will stay, and how each family member can take responsibility for helping. While one family member may take care of the individual’s meals, another may take care of the upkeep of their home, including chores like mowing the lawn and other tasks meant to keep the home safe. A trusted family member should also be in charge of finances once the older adult is no longer able to do so for themselves. This will include creating a list of the person’s social security number, insurance policy numbers, bank accounts, and monthly bills that she is responsible for. In addition, a medical list that includes medications, allergies, physicians, and other health care providers should also be created and kept on hand.
Someone should also be in charge of communicating and supervising that the adult is always supervised and is not left alone to fend for themselves. Adults with Alzheimer’s and severe dementia are known to suffer from bouts of paranoia and delusions. Leaving them alone can cause them to hurt themselves or forget to take their medicine. Hourly home care is also available through trusted home care providers to help in times when no one in the family can help. When making this decision, use good judgment to ensure the safety of your family member.
When choosing home health care assistance, be sure to do your research to ensure you get a qualified person who has experience dealing with the elderly, especially if the home health care recipient has dementia or Alzheimer’s. Check the website and references of the company providing the home health care worker to ensure that their service is trusted and that their employees are qualified. Talk to the person who will be caring for your older adult and ask them important questions about their past experience and what they would do in a worst case scenario. Have the elder’s daily medication arranged in a scheduled pill box or on a detailed schedule list so that the aid worker can easily provide the medication to the adult without risking accidental overdose or accidentally missing a dose. Finally, be sure to leave all of your emergency contact information with this person, in case something comes up that you need more help with.
If this is your first time using a home care company or if you are unsure about the service this person can provide, be sure to stay with this person for a while to see how he handles himself and your aging parent before to go out . You’ll be able to see how they handle work and can provide immediate advice on how you think they should handle specific tasks. Do this until you feel comfortable with this person alone with your family member. Once you feel comfortable, you will feel good leaving them in the care of a stranger. Be sure to call and talk to this person often to build a relationship with them. They will be able to give you important information about your family member’s health.
With the cost of nursing home care rising, home care is the way of the future for families who cannot afford to place their relatives in a nursing home. For a fraction of the cost, families on limited budgets are more likely to subscribe to hourly home care for their elderly parents as a supplement to family care for their elderly parents.
When choosing a San Diego home care aide, be sure to research the company they work for and their previous references to ensure you’re hiring a quality aide whose primary interest is caring for your parents. Avoid hiring someone you don’t trust, as they will have access to your parents’ home and belongings, and more importantly, your family member’s health. If possible, have family members visit your home health care provider to make sure things are running smoothly, and don’t forget to get feedback from the person receiving home care, as they are likely to they give you the best and the best possible. more honest feedback. Choosing the right helper can be one of the most important decisions you can make for your family, so be sure to use good judgment when choosing the right person for the job.