(317) 237-7770

What is a “Non-Medical” Caregiver?

by At Home Preferred on April 19, 2012

As seniors get older, they often experience physical or mental changes that render them to need help with what is known as “non-medical care.” While some seniors need the constant medical attention of a nurse or doctor, many senior citizens simply need the help and attention of a capable person to assist them, which busy family members don’t always have time to provide.

This is a tough spot to be in for families, and it is hard to know what to do when a loved one reaches this stage of life. This is where in-home care can step in and offer assistance for you and your loved one.

A home caregiver can fulfill this vital role by assisting in a senior’s everyday life. Home care assistance helps the elderly with daily activities, such as personal care, medication reminders, companionship, meal prep, or even light housekeeping and errands. At Home Preferred performs extensive screenings of their caregivers to help you find someone that fits your specific needs.

Also, home care agencies can guarantee your family coverage in the case of a home caregiver’s absence, thus decreasing your work-load and worry. By hiring a senior care agency, a family also relinquishes any responsibility and potential liability associated with employing the Caregiver “privately.” If a family hires their own Caregiver privately, they will be assuming the risks associated with private employment as well.

We understand and believe that a family should always research and understand what services are available – as well as the differences between them – before allowing anyone to care for their loved one. It is important to set up a meeting with the home care agency to conduct an in-depth assessment of your needs and see if their services are the right fit for you and your family. It is here that you can review your loved one’s health history, and have them observe the home environment to determine the level of ongoing involvement in terms of time and support that will be needed for home care.

Realizing that a loved one may need assistance is a difficult time for a family. Knowing what to do or where to go is the hardest part. But there are many advantages to non-medical homecare and often you needn’t leave the comfort of your own home to get your loved one the assistance that they need.