Your parents were always there to take care of you. Whether it was putting a band-aid on a skinned knee, being a shoulder to cry on after your first break up, or helping with the down payment on your first home, they stood behind you, ready to help when needed. Now the tables have turned. Your mom isn’t getting around as well as she used to, and your dad is having trouble remembering things throughout the day.

At Piedmont Home Care, we see situations all the time where people need help caring for their elderly parents, but for a variety of reasons they put off getting outside help. Sometimes it might be that a person feels like their parents took care of them, now it’s their duty to take care of their parents. Or it might be a fear that in-home care will be too costly.

As experts in the elder care industry, we can tell you it is far and away okay to get help. Your own health and wellness, both physically and mentally, will suffer if you try to take on the entire burden of caring for your parents yourself. And even for those without long-term care insurance, Medicare and Medicaid have programs to help offset the cost.

Here are a few tips to help you get started with finding a caregiver that’s right for your situation.

Assess Your Need. Do you need someone to be with your loved one full-time, 24 hours a day? Or are you just looking for a few hours a day to give you a break? The answer to that will vary depending on the state of health of your loved one. If they’re having trouble taking care of daily activities such as dressing and preparing meals, are a fall risk, and have health problems that need to be observed while sleeping, it might be time to think about full-time care. On the other hand, if they can do most things for themselves but can no longer drive, you might be looking for someone to provide companionship for a few hours.

Check your resources. For many long-term care insurance policies, as well as Medicare or Medicaid, you will need a doctor’s written order to qualify for coverage. Find out how much you qualify for and what paperwork is needed before conducting a search.

Get referrals and do some research. Choosing the right provider can be hard, but it can be made much easier once you have reassurance from a friend or family member who has experience with the process. Ask around to see what types of service other people in your situation have used, and which routes they took to get the right person for the job.

Many times we are asked about the benefits of using the services from Piedmont Home Care rather than hiring an individual. While you might have great references for a sitter who is well-known in your church or your neighborhood, keep in mind that when you work directly with one individual there are some drawbacks. When they’re unable to work, who will be the back-up? Also, while you might save some money by paying less per hour, you have to do all the work of background checks, scheduling, and keeping track of payments.

When you use a service such as Piedmont Home Care, you can be assured you’re working with professionals. Our caregivers have training to be able to work with clients and handle

emergencies as they arise. We have a talented team who can step in when needed to make sure your loved one is cared for in the hours you need, even when a regular caregiver might be sick or take vacation days. And we handle all of the administrative duties, giving you the respite that you truly need.

Making the decision to use in-home care for your loved ones can be hard, but it is often met with great relief and enthusiasm. Once you have help, you’re able to enjoy the relationship with your parents that you want, without worrying about having to take care of their health care or daily needs.

If you’ve been considering respite care or in-home care for your loved one, call us today to learn more about the services Piedmont Home Care provides.