Tag Archive for: family

How to Discuss Home Care with the Family

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Is your family considering finding care for a senior loved one? If so, it is important to plan a family meeting to discuss home care as an option. Home care is used to provide the care of a loved one who is unable to fully provide for themselves, yet still stable and mentally sound enough to be at home and out of the nursing home. For many people, this type of care provides far greater happiness and prolongs their lifetime and that is just the start of the exciting benefits. Even still there are drawbacks that must be considered if this is a method of care that you are considering. This is a big decision and everyone should be able to voice their thoughts, concerns, and hopes freely.

Preparing for a family meeting to discuss home care


When preparing for your family meeting make sure that you inform family members as far in advance as possible. Everyone’s schedules differ, and sometimes it can be difficult to find a time when everyone is able to come together. When informing family members of the meeting you should plan for a two-hour time slot, although it might take slightly less time. Once a time has been arranged, choose a location for the meeting. If your home is large enough this is perfectly fine. It should be comfortable so everyone is able to talk openly. Make sure that the loved one being considered for home care is present during the meeting. After all, it is him/her that will be receiving the care so their say matters the most. Also, the home care agency caregiver or staff member should be present to help you learn more about the service and the different options available.

Things to discuss at the family meeting

  • Cost. Insurance will usually not cover the costs of this type of care so it is the responsibility of loved ones to cover the fees. Consider how you will pay, how much each person can put forth, etc. Also, take into consideration during your meeting:
  • Duration. How long/often will you require home care for your loved one? You can arrange services for part-time or full-time, or on an as-needed basis.
  • The capability of the senior. Is your loved one still able to partially caring for themselves? Patients who are best-suited for home services are those who still have such capabilities.
  • Needs of the senior. Discuss with the caregiver the needs of your loved ones. Caregivers can provide a little or they can provide a lot, depending upon the need. Ensure the chosen agency is capable of handling those needs. Not all agencies provide the same levels of care.
  • Questions/concerns. Give each family member time to ask their own questions as they arise.

Comprehensive Home Care can provide help during these meetings. Contact us here or call at 704.333.5214 with any questions or care needs.

Check out Diffusing Family Tensions for more support.

How Often Should I Check On My Aging Loved One?

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If you have an aging loved you may realize you need to periodically look in on them in order to make sure that they are okay. Knowing how often to check up on them can be complicated but there are certain factors to help you know.

In many instances, a combination of outside help and periodic check-ins may be necessary in order to make sure that a loved one remains happy and healthy. This allows them to get by on their own with some assistance from a home care company. This is true for many medical conditions. For example, some may still be able to stay on their own as long as they have some outside help. That’s where a quality home care agency, like Comprehensive Home Care, can help. Comprehensive Home Care can check in on a family’s senior loved one, providing home care services or respite care.

In general, the need to check up on an aging loved one will depend on multiple factors. Such factors include:

  • An existing medical conditions as well as any recent medical problems such as a fall or other healthcare issue.
  • Whether or not the relative has access to a community that encourages strong bonds between residents. Many elderly people have developed strong ties to other members of their community. For example, they may be cherished for their gentle love of children and tasty contributions to the local church bake sale each year.
  • How far away their loved ones live. It can be particularly important to make sure a relative is cared for even when you cannot be physically present. In such cases, the person may want to set up a series of ways in which they can check up on a loved father or favorite aunt. This may include a combination of hired help from a home care agency that is in the area.

Comprehensive Home Care can assist the relative with certain tasks such as meal preparation and driving. Contact us here or call us at 704.333.5213 to see how we can help.

Check out Transitioning to Assisted Living to learn about the common challenges seniors face when transitioning to assisted living. The stage they are in in the transition may determine how often you should check in.