Live-in care for seniors involves a professional moving into one’s home full-time. This attendant is trained to assist with daily tasks and manage challenging situations. Many families find live-in care services appealing because they provide undivided attention to ailing seniors. But finding a reliable one is challenging, as families naturally want the best for their loved ones. This is why learning about caregivers, their services and fees can help families make a more informed decision.

Common caregiver services
A clear understanding of what falls under the purview of a caregiver is an important part of senior care. The professional is trained to handle various aspects of elderly care, including:

• Personal care
  Most live-in caregivers are trained to provide discreet and sensitive support with personal hygiene, including washing and toileting.
• Housekeeping
  Besides adhering to the personal needs of the senior, the professional also looks after the house chores, which include light vacuuming, surface sanitization and laundry. Here, the objective is to keep the home clean, tidy and relaxing for the senior.
• Emergency assistance
  Seniors may require emergency support at all times. Since a live-in caregiver is present 24/7, they can immediately alert family members and relevant support staff if there are signs of complications.
• Mobility assistance
  A caregiver can help seniors with mobility limitations move around easily.

Tips to select a caregiver for their services
In addition to learning about the services offered by a carer , knowing how to select one can make all the difference when it comes to the best at-home care for seniors.

Understand the senior member’s needs
Before hiring a live-in caregiver, it is important to assert the senior family member’s requirements. Make a list of the types and levels of care needed. For instance, determine what the loved family member will need help with daily tasks, like toileting, bathing and dressing assistance. Also, remember to write down if the senior member has special needs, such as assistance with walking because of poor vision and if assistance is required to get an appointment. Listing the requirements will help better understand the skills and experience a caregiver should have. Also, making a complete care plan before hiring them will help the professional or an agency get a clearer picture of what is expected from them.

Involve all family members in the decision
Each family member may have questions and needs they wish to address with the carer during the selection process. Involving each one is essential, as it will help split some of the work involved in caregiving. For instance, a family member might agree to come in on weekends to clean or offer backup when the live-in caregiver isn’t available. Dividing the tasks can also help reduce the costs of a caregiver significantly.

Check the credentials
It is essential to assess the professionalism of the live-in caregiver thoroughly. Check their credentials and qualifications and gather at least two professional references. During the interview with the caregiver, remember to ask about their skills and experience and how the caregiver will deal with emergencies with the seniors and family members. Also, gauge if the professional is trustworthy, such as with confidential information about the loved one. Ideally, an agency oversees the matching, screening and vetting process of hiring a carer . But it’s beneficial to do due diligence for added safety and security.

Learn about the fees
A professional agency or an independent caregiver will charge varied fees for their services. The average pay of a live-in caregiver in the country is about €36,000 and the hourly rate is about €17. However, these figures are indicative and can differ based on multiple factors, including the location of the residence, the experience level of the caregiver and the level and type of care involved.

Ways to find a caregiver

Ask for referrals
One can speak to other relatives, friends and colleagues and ask for references. Since these come from trusted sources, the reference can be reliable and trustworthy.

Conduct an online search
A simple web search with the right keywords can help find the most suitable caregiver or agency for the job. Some common keywords include “live-in caregivers available in the area” or “the top caregivers for the elderly.” Family members can use these results to make a more informed decision.

Ask doctors
Generally, family doctors have a list of references of services for various patient needs, including live-in caregivers. One can use these references to narrow down their search and select the right caregiver for the senior member.