September 1, 2000
Choosing A Caregiver/Home Care Aid
By: Gail R Mitchell  

At times we all find ourselves needing 
assistance. In providing for someone 
with a disability, disease or long term 
illness, their needs and types of 
assistance can vary from simple 
companionship to bathing, dressing, 
shopping and preparing foods. In 
more serious stages your loved one 
may require assistance with surgical 
dressings, I.V. infusion therapies, 
administration of medications and 
more. 

Generally speaking, home care 
services are secured when the 
carerecipient does not require or 
want some form of institutional care. 
These services can be provided by a 
home health care agency, a visiting 
nurse agency, a homemaker service, 
or a physical or occupational therapist. 
Home care is becoming the more 
popular option especially when the 
elderly are concerned. 

There are also home care agencies 
who will assess the needs of your 
loved one. They provide a variety 
of home care help to take blood 
tests, administer special medications 
and intravenous feeding, 
catheterization,attend to wounds, 
and offer physical, speech and 
occupational therapies. These 
services are provided by trained 
professionals. They may be 
registered nurses, licensed practial 
nurses, social workers, licensed 
therapists and personal home care 
assistants. The agency may send 
these individuals in addition to the 
daily home aid who functions as 
the primary caregiver. The agency's 
fee is usually billed by the visit or 
the hour. Your doctor may prescribe 
specific home care needs which 
may be covered under your insurance.

Medicare, Medicaid, Medigap, 
Veterans or supplemental insurance 
may or may not cover these 
services so it is important that 
you review the coverage permitted 
for your loved one. Payment and 
billing arrangements can be made 
with the agency if you are required 
to secure these services on your 
own.

By staying informed and researching 
your options carefully, you will be 
able to provide volunteer or fee 
paid services for your loved one to 
help them maintain the quality of 
their life while living in the comfort 
of their own home.

Check Lists You May Print Out:
Home Health Care Agency Evaluation 

Hiring Home Care On Your Own 


Other Articles Of Importance:
Emergency Information

Carereipient Profile

Document Locator


Home Safety Check List 
Bathroom

Bedroom

Kitchen

Throughout The Home

Types Of Services Available





We look forward to the opportunity 
of serving you. We welcome your 
comments, suggestions, and questions. 
Please feel free to contact us at: 
mailto:boomersint@aol.com or 
mailto:grm4love@care-givers.com







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