Homewatch CareGivers Serving Baltimore, Anne Arundel, and Harford

I am a past client of this provider

My only living aunt is 89 years old and lives in the Baltimore area. Her children are in Texas and California, and it became my responsibility to find in-home caregivers to help her out after she returned home from the hospital. She was very weak and needed assistance after waking for her morning routine, and again in the evenings prior to going to bed. Although I live about two hours from the Baltimore area, I was more than happy to spend time helping her interview and decide upon a service that could help her through her convalescence.Homewatch Caregivers was one of four agencies recommended by the hospital, based on their prior relationships. I interviewed all four and then two additional companies I found in the yellow pages, and decided to sign a contract with Homewatch Caregivers. I thought they were the most prepared during the initial interview process and they asked me and my aunt questions about our expectations, which no one else did. I was impressed with their procedures and how they wanted to partner with the family to provide a successful relationship.My aunt was able to select the caregivers who would come every day to help her with her personal grooming and hygiene (in the morning), and her evening bedtime routine. (During the day she had a neighbor look in on her, so she did not need round-the-clock care.) "Lisa" was the nurse who came every morning at 7:00 a.m. and she stayed till about 11:00 a.m. She formed a very close relationship with my aunt, administering her daily medications, helping her shower and get dressed, preparing breakfast and helping with some exercises that she was encouraged to do to build strength. The evening nurse ("Carolyn") came around 6:00 p.m. and warmed up her dinner, administered evening medication, helped with some light housekeeping chores, and then got her ready for bed. Both women were pleasant and gentle and became very attached to my aunt.This was a very good agency to use, since they seemed to do more than just "screen" their staff. They had continuing education classes that helped the caregivers learn how to bond with their clients and understand that their work is more than providing medications and sticking a plate of food in the microwave. I really appreciated the caregivers being "friends" instead of just paid employees.My aunt needed help for about two months, at which time we began to taper off the help. Both Lisa and Carolyn continue to keep in touch with my aunt, and that is what makes this agency stand out. Their caregivers really do care about the clients.