Are You a Caregiver Going on a Trip? Here’s How to Find Home Care for a Loved One

Are you a caregiver for an aging loved one? If so, you know that it can be as stressful as it is rewarding. But here’s the thing. You need to take some time out for rest and relaxation if you’re going to be strong enough to continue providing a high level of care to someone you care about.

One way you can do so is by going on a trip. It doesn’t have to be far, and it doesn’t have to be for long. Simply having a change of scenery every now and then can be the medicine that helps you to continue being the best caregiver you can be for an aging mother or father.

But before you head to a fun vacation destination near home or abroad, you’ll want to ensure that someone will fill in for you and assist your elderly parent.

Continue reading for a look at how to find a home care provider, so your elderly loved one gets the help needed, and you get the peace of mind you need while away on vacation.

Find a Home Care Provider You Can Trust

In addition to finding a service provider with the skills to provide the care required, you’ll want to find a service provider you can trust. You’ll be putting a lot of trust in someone you don’t know. Does the agency you’re considering vet candidates to find service providers who are trustworthy and reliable? Horror stories abound about disreputable service providers failing to care for the people under their care properly. You’ll want to avoid such a scenario. 

Some organizations allow you to choose the person who provides home care. That can be a game-changer. Does your elderly mom or dad have a friend or relative they’d be comfortable receiving help from? If you find the right organization, your parent will be able to choose the caregiver. Imagine being able to choose a family member or friend to provide service, get the service covered by Medicaid, and have the service provider get paid at the end of each shift. It’ll be a godsend. And it’s possible if you find the right agency to work with.

Find a Service Provider That Provides Round-the-Clock Care

If you’re the primary caregiver and don’t tend to have a backup, you’ll want to ensure the home care provider can render round-the-clock care if necessary. Sometimes a simple 9 am to 5 pm availability won’t be enough to accommodate the needs of your elderly mom or dad. You need a service provider that will be on call any time of the day, on holidays, and on weekends. Otherwise, you might find yourself worrying while you should be enjoying your vacation.

Find a Service Provider That Speaks Your Language

Don’t overlook the importance of finding a service provider who speaks your loved one’s mother tongue. If your relative is more comfortable speaking in a language other than English, you’ll want to ensure that the person providing the home care can communicate in that language. 

It’ll be harder for someone to provide your aging mom or dad with proper care if there’s a language barrier. Moreover, instructions lost in translation can lead to bigger problems if needs are not met. So, when calling around, ask about the languages supported. And then choose wisely.

Give Service Provider Important Information

You’ll also want to ensure the service provider has essential information. The home care company needs to know about your elderly loved one’s health history, medications, physicians and other specialists, and other essential information. They also need to know how to get in touch with you in the event that there’s an emergency. It’s probably better, however, to get another family member to fill in as the point of contact while you’re away.

Are you planning to go on a trip? These are some of the things you’ll want to do if you’re a caregiver. You need to remember that self-care is vitally important. Once you find the right home care provider, you’ll be able to enjoy a trip since you’ll know your aging loved one will be taken care of. You and your elderly mother or father will be even more comfortable if a trusted friend or family member provides the necessary in-home care.