So you and your elderly loved one have decided to hire a home caregiver. You’ve compared your options, interviewed different caregivers, and selected the service and caregiver you hope will best fit your family member’s needs. If this is a new experience altogether for you or your loved one, it’s normal to hold onto a little bit of anxiety, even once the decision has been made and the home care service is set to move forward. If you’re worried about how the arrangement will work out over time, here are some ways to monitor the performance of a home caregiver.
Home Security Cameras
One direct option to monitor a caregiver’s performance is to have a camera system installed in a few rooms of the home. However, the caregiver mustn’t be directly aware of the cameras, because anyone that knows they’re being recorded will always be on their best behavior. They will be more likely to act in a way that is normal for them if they don’t know they are being watched. It might seem a little invasive, but at the end of the day, it’s a way of keeping a close eye on your loved one and the care they are receiving when you aren’t around. It can also be a way to protect the caregiver, should anything happen that leaves you asking questions.
Check In on the Condition of the Home
Part of a home caregiver’s job is to help their clients maintain things around the home in the form of light chores such as laundry, cooking and dishes, and light cleaning. When you’re able to visit with your loved one, take a quick inventory of the state of the living environment. Does it seem like day-to-day chores are being kept up with? If trash or laundry seems like it’s piling up, or if you notice clutter or refuse in the same place as it was when you visited a week or so prior, it could be a sign that the home caregiver is not doing all that they could be doing for your elderly family member.
Check In with Your Loved One
Maintaining regular communication with your loved one who is actually receiving the home care will help you stay involved in their life enough to know if something seems off. Ask them how they like their caregiver and why, or why not. Take notice of their overall mood when you speak to them. When you’re able to visit, be aware of their physical appearance. Do they appear to be maintaining good hygiene and do they seem to be “well” overall? Your family member’s demeanor and appearance can shed some light on the quality of daily care they’re receiving from their caregiver.
Your Elderly Family Members Deserve the Best Care
It can be a hard choice to bring in a home care service for your elderly loved one and you want to be sure they’re being taken care of. Thankfully, most home care agencies thoroughly screen their caregivers before hiring them, so you can take some peace of mind in knowing that it’s much more likely for your loved one to receive good quality care. At the end of the day, they deserve to be cared for and treated well.
