In-Home Care Questions
243 Question and Answer Results
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FAQ: How Long Should I Hang Around the House When a New Aide Starts?
How much time you spend in the house when a new aide starts depends on many factors. The first consideration is how your loved one handles himself or herself in social situations. Is he or she willing and able to speak up, give directions, and say, "I like this; I don't like that"? If not, you'll need to do that on your loved one's behalf... -
How can I help my father, who is a hoarder, clear out his house so that it is not a hazard?
Hoarding is defined as the excessive collection of items that seem to have limited or zero value. When a person like your father has reached the point where he is endangering himself, it may be difficult to correct the problem -- particularly if he does not acknowledge that his behavior is a problem at all... -
How will my aunt's taxes be affected by paying me to be her caregiver?
If your aunt's total medical expenses, including any qualifying amounts that are paid to you as a caretaker exceed 7 1/2 percent of her adjusted gross income,she can deduct on her income taxes the amount of her expenses that exceed the 7 1/2 percent base. Amounts paid to you for household help would not qualify as medical expenses... -
FAQ: How Do You Fire a Personal Assistant?
If you have a care manager on the case, let him or her handle it. Care managers do the matching and hiring, and if any problems arise, the care manager should handle them. A good care manger might be able to step in and fix the root issue, for example, before resorting to firing. -
As a registered nurse, can I get Mom's insurance company to pay me for her home care?
Whether you can be paid, by private insurance, to care for your mother at home depends entirely on the terms of the insurance policy. The fact that you are an RN may make it more likely that you can be paid under some policies. The fact that you are the insured's daughter may make it less likely... -
FAQ: What's the Best Way to Complain About Something to a Home Health Agency?
Call the owner or manager and be specific. Keep notes about your complaint so you can describe exactly what's been going on and for how long. Remember, good home care companies want to hear complaints. If no one says anything, they can't get rid of a person they want to fire because they don't have the evidence... -
FAQ: What Does a Personal Care Assistant (PCA) Do?
A personal care assistant does tasks that require physical contact with the patient, such as: -
FAQ: What Should I Do if the Agency We're Working With Keeps Sending a Lot of Substitutes?
I'd call the manager or owner and report your concern that the home-care agency is sending too many substitutes. Estimate how many times you've had substitutes and explain that this isn't acceptable. If the person you're caring for has dementia or paranoia, mention this too, as it's an additional reason that substitutes are problematic... -
FAQ: What Should I Expect to Pay for a Personal Care Assistant (PCA)?
The average hourly rate for a personal care assistant is $16 to $25 an hour, depending on a number of factors, such as your location, how the PCA is hired, for what hours, and for what services. If you hire the PCA through an agency, the pay rate may be affected by whether the PCA is an independent contractor or an employee of the agency... -
FAQ: How Can I Get the Aide We Hired to Stop Calling My Mom "Dearie" Instead of Using Her Name?
Start by going directly to the aide. If you're concerned that the aide might be sensitive, start by saying something positive. Tell her you're happy with her work in general, but there's a small issue that's come up. Be direct and explain the issue as clearly as you can... -
FAQ: What Should I Do if I Like the Agency but Not the Aide They Sent?
Call up the agency and be truthful about the fact that you're not happy with the aide. Do it as soon as possible; don't let concerns and issues go on. -
FAQ: How Can I Use Home Health Services to Make Hospital Discharge Go More Smoothly for My Loved One With Dementia?
If home healthcare is prescribed for your loved one after hospital discharge, there are several things you can do to make the experience go well: -
Should we get my mother a hospital bed?
At the end of life, a hospital bed is usually needed if the patient is bedridden. A caregiver could cause serious damage to her back by trying to transfer the patient from the height of a regular bed. Or she might injure the elder. Also, it is easier to adjust the bed so pressure points from staying in the same position don't develop into bedsores... -
Can I get paid to be Dad's caregiver if I am on Social Security Disability and Medicaid?
You've got a tough and complicated situation that involves several different government programs, so let's take them one at a time. First, let's look at who's going to help pay for your father's care at home. Medicare will only pay for short-term home care while he's recovering, and only if he meets certain qualifications... -
What should the pay rate be for live-in family caregivers?
I am glad you have asked about a pay rate for live-in family caregivers. Many elders have to go into institutional settings because the family is too shy to ask for pay for themselves. I wish there were a way, to help all family caregivers with this delicate question. Family helpers are saving our country billions of dollars... -
Is my mom with dementia better off at home or in a memory care facility?
Most people with dementia do better in care facilities than at home. There are exceptions, of course. Some residential care homes provide around the clock care but activities consist of sitting in front of the TV. It is difficult to provide engaging activities with a very small group of residents... -
How can I get paid to be a caregiver in Chattonaooga, Tennessee?
You're obviously in a very tough situation, but the State of Tennessee has several programs that might be able to help. First, the State of Tennessee participates in the National Family Caregiver Support Program. This program can provide home delivered meals, medical equipment and supplies, minor home... -
Where can I find an adult crib for my sister with Alzheimer's?
I googled medical equipment in Louisville, Kentucky and goto the name and phone number of 5 medical supply stores in Louisville. THey will either have one or know where you can buy an adult crib in Kentucky. -
FAQ: What's the Difference Between a Personal Aide and a Home Health Aide?
The main difference between a personal aide and a home health aide is in the level of medical care they provide. Although personal aides typically have home health aide certification (which involves competing a 76-hour, nurse-supervised training program), they provide mostly personal care -- such as bathing, grooming, and dressing... -
FAQ: What's the Best Way to Find out What Happened During an Aide's Shift?
The best way to find out what happened during an aide's shift is to look at his or her notes, since it's rare for a family caregiver to overlap with an aide's shift and have the opportunity to speak in person each day.
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