caregiver through agency

The 5 Truths You Need To Know About Home Health Care

September 18, 2018 mdhomehealthadmin Caregiver Information, Hiring a Caregiver Leave a comment   , , , , , , , , , ,

Most seniors would readily choose to remain in their homes as their preferred option, when needing health care which can’t be provided to them by themselves or family members. This could be after surgery which requires rehabilitation, or there could be some other situation which requires occasional or full-time supervision. If you’re considering home health care for your senior loved one, here are some of the most important things to know about the service.

  1. Home health care benefits many people, not just the home-bound

Many people have the mistaken idea that home healthcare only applies to bedridden invalids, but the truth is far different than this. Instead, home healthcare can be ideal for seniors who are adjusting to significant new medications, for those who are unable to manage household activities, those experiencing memory loss or cognitive decline, and for those who are unable to safely navigate around the home without assistance. Home care is also ideal for persons who require physical therapy or some kind of skilled nursing care, and possibly even speech therapy.

  1. Home health is designed with the comfort in mind

One of the most important aspects of home healthcare is that it allows a senior to remain at home, where more than 90% of them prefer to be. Home surroundings are always the most comforting and memorable to a senior, often being the site of many years of memories with loved ones. Once a home caregiver has had the opportunity to work with your senior loved one, they can quickly identify favored habits and preferences which can be accommodated. At the same time, any physical or mental needs can also be addressed, so as to develop a care plan tailored to the individual.

  1. Home health is both medical and non-medical – complete care

It’s much easier in a home setting to address all the needs of a person requiring care, which is the holistic approach to caregiving. Virtually all aspects of a senior’s daily routine can be assisted in some way by a competent caregiving professional, and the caregiver can also serve as a monitor of the senior’s daily health and wellness status. Medications can be scheduled and taken on time under the supervision of a qualified caregiver. The healthcare professional can also recommend nutritional meals and help to prepare them, and can encourage as much exercise as the senior individual is capable of.

  1. Not all agencies are created equal – look for full-service

As you might expect, all healthcare agencies and organizations are not the same, just as all home caregivers are not the same. Before signing up for services for your senior loved one, be sure to find out whether or not an agency is certified for home care giving, and that their employees have been adequately screened, so that you can trust the professional service you’ll be receiving. Make sure to do your homework and research a healthcare organization which you are considering for home care service, so that you don’t get unpleasantly surprised sometime in the future.

  1. It shows when a home health agency truly cares

When you find a home healthcare agency that really cares about your senior loved one, and goes the extra mile to make sure that their health and wellness are truly of concern, you’ll know it right away. You’ll be able to tell by the way a caregiver interacts with your loved one, the kind of companionship which is provided, the way your loved one responds to a caregiver’s company, and your loved one’s general demeanor during the period of caregiving. If your parent is doing well and is happy under the supervision of a specific home care provider, that’s probably the best indicator that great care is being extended.

Caregiving help for your loved ones

When the health and wellness of your senior loved ones are at stake, you really want the best possible in-home care, and that means you should have MD Home Health professionals involved. Contact us at MD Home Health for the best Phoenix Home Health Care, to be sure that your loved ones are receiving the full attention of caring professionals, right in the comfortable surroundings of their own home.

 


10 Books Caregivers Need To Read

August 15, 2018 mdhomehealthadmin Caregiver Information, Inspiration Leave a comment   , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

A survey conducted by the National Alliance for Caregiving, in tandem with AARP, discovered that there are nearly 70 million caregivers in the US who are obliged to provide some kind of care for least one individual who is disabled, ill, or elderly. Of course, not all of these are professional caregivers like those at MD Home Health, and they might even be relatives of the person needing care, but still the total number of caregivers in this country is staggering.

One of the issues made clear in this survey result was that a large number of these caregivers felt overwhelmed or somewhat helpless by the task which they were obliged to perform, and many expressed the need for more information and greater skills. One of the best ways to actively address this situation is to delve into the treasure trove of health-related and caregiving books available to interested readers. Here are 10 of the best books, which you might want to use to upgrade your skills and increase your understanding of caregiving best practices.

“Chicken Soup for the Soul: Family Caregivers: 101 Stories of Love, Sacrifice, and Bonding” by Joan Lunden and Amy Newmark

Many caregivers are inspired by reading about how other people in similar situations have managed to sacrifice and provide needed care to others, while persevering against all manner of challenges. Co-author Joan Lunden includes 101 stories which chronicle the specific things faced by some family caregivers in helping their love ones enjoy a greater quality of life.

“Our Bittersweet Season: Caring for Our Aging Parents – and Ourselves”, by Jane Gross

Jane Gross is a former New York Times reporter who has provided in this book a kind of how-to primer for dealing with elderly care in the US, including Medicare and the general system as well. It’s also a personal memoir about how the author managed to care for her own aging parents, written with brutal candor that everyone can relate to.

“The Caregivers Survival Handbook: How to Care for Your Aging Parent Without Losing Yourself”, by Alexis Abramson

Being a member of the ‘sandwich generation’ can be very frustrating for a woman these days, because it means you’re providing care to for both young children and aging parents. In the midst of all that, you’re probably also under-appreciated as a person yourself. Much of this book deals with how you can cope with the stresses involved with this dual care arrangement, in the face of maintaining a healthy work/home life balance.

“While They’re Still Here: A Memoir”, by Patricia Williams

Many people in America are confronted with the same situation presented in this book, which is that of a daughter suddenly forced into the role of becoming the only caregiver for aging parents. Struggling with all the challenges of her own personal life, the author discusses how she learned to provide care for her elderly loved ones with courage and with grace.

“Living With Dying: Complete Guide for Caregivers”, by Katie Ortlip and Jahnna Beecham

A very informative and practical book for caregivers, this volume provides easy-to-follow recommendations for treating various medical conditions and symptoms, and having those difficult conversations with your elderly loved ones.

“The Spectrum of Hope: An Optimistic New Approach to Alzheimer’s disease and Other Dementias”, by Gayatri Devi

In the midst of all the gloom surrounding dementias such as Alzheimer’s disease, the author provides a glimmer of hope for those caregivers facing the challenge of an afflicted elderly loved one. The book covers hopeful topics like maintaining independence, and positive communications with those suffering from dementia.

“Caregiver Defined: Words That Honor the Work of the Caregiver”, by Michael Fortuna

In this volume, the author paints a very positive image of caregivers who provide needed assistance for loved ones, including some heartfelt recollections of his own experience. This is an inspirational peon to the thankless task which many caregivers undertake every day in America.

“Beyond Forgetting: Poetry and Prose About Alzheimer’s disease”, by Holly J Hughes

This is a compilation of the work of more than 100 authors who are also medical professionals and family caregivers. Each one has contributed a special reflection on someone they know who is afflicted by Alzheimer’s disease, and every contribution is touching in its own way.

“A Gradual Disappearance”, by Elizabeth Lonseth

The author provides a Christian perspective on family caregiving, which is infused with much of her own experience on the subject, as she cared for several relatives who suffered from Alzheimer’s disease. It provides a number of key insights on how to cope with all those behaviors manifested by dementia patients.

“No Saints Around Here: A Caregivers Days”, by Susan Allen Toth

This memoir by the author showcases her own caregiving experience for her spouse who was afflicted by Parkinson’s disease. The gut-wrenching challenges which she faced, right up until the end are vividly chronicled, along with her own practical suggestions for coping with it all.

Phoenix Health Care assistance

Many of the challenges faced by family caregivers are also managed by our professionals at MD Home Health and MD Home Assist, and as respected members of the Arizona Health Care network, our caregivers are always ready and willing to take on new challenges for our clients. Contact us at your earliest convenience, so we can discuss home health care for your loved one or for yourself.

 


20 Caregiver Quotes That Will Inspire You

June 10, 2018 mdhomehealthadmin Inspiration Leave a comment   , , , , , , , , , , ,

Caring for others is thought to be at the very summit of human emotion, and why the practice of caring elevates each of us to a place above our ordinary existence. While caring for a loved one is rewarding and life-affirming, it can also be a trying time. Sometimes we need a little inspiration to get us through those difficult days. We compiled 20 inspirational caregiver quotes that we hope inspire you.

The Quotes

  1. “Caregiving often calls us to lean into love we didn’t know possible.” ― Tia Walker, from The Inspired Caregiver: Finding Joy While Caring for Those You Love
  2. “You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the things which you think you cannot do.” — Eleanor Roosevelt
  3. “It is not how much you do, but how much love you put in the doing.” — Mother Teresa
  4. “Family is not an important thing. It’s everything. —Michael J. Fox, actor
  5. “The closest thing to being cared for is to care for someone else.” – Carson McCullers
  6. “Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” – Leo Buscaglia
  7. “The simple act of caring is HEROIC.” – Edward Albert
  8. “Compassion brings us to a stop, and for a moment we rise above ourselves.” — Mason Cooley
  9. “Forgiveness is not an occasional act: it is an attitude.” — Martin Luther King Jr.
  10. “Although the days are busy and the workload is always growing, there are still those special moments when someone says or does something and you know you’ve made a difference in someone’s life. That’s why I became a nurse.” — Diane McKenty
  11. “To care for those who once cared for us is one of the highest honors.” – Tia Walker
  12. “No matter what you’ve done for yourself or for humanity, if you can’t look back on having given love and attention to your own family, what have you really accomplished?” – Lee Iacocca
  13. “Family is the most important thing in the world.” – Princess Diana
  14. “Never believe that a few caring people can’t change the world. For indeed, that’s all who ever have.” – Margaret Mead
  15. “One person caring about another represents life’s greatest value.” – Jim Rohn
  16. “Compassion automatically invites you to relate with people because you no longer regard people as a drain on your energy.” — Chogyam Trungpa
  17. “Be determined to handle any challenge in a way that will make you grow.” — Les Brown
  18. “Some days there won’t be a song in your heart. Sing anyway.” — Emory Austin
  19. “God gave burdens; he also gave shoulders.” — Yiddish Proverb
  20. “No matter what the relationship was between the parent and child—whatever it was—this is going to be extremely challenging because it is not logical. There’s no way to deal with it rationally or directly. You don’t reason it out. What I’ve said to so many people is: we always must lead with our love.” ― Dr. Stephen Hoag

Inspired professionals at MD Home Health

Arizona health care professionals have the kind of caring and compassion which is at the heart of each of the quotations above. When you want that kind of care for your senior loved one, contact the caregivers from MD Home Health, and provide the very finest in home health care to the persons in your life who mean so much to you.

 


Use This Handy Checklist to Find the Right Caregiver for your Loved One

April 13, 2018 mdhomehealthadmin Articles, Caregiver Information, Hiring a Caregiver Leave a comment   , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Most people are aware that the overall population of the U.S. is aging, and that more and more elderly people require partial or full-time care, just to carry out the basic daily necessities of living. The professionals at MD Home Health, as well as Arizona health care workers throughout the state, urge you to take the time to find the right caregiver for your elderly loved one. Even those seniors who are not physically disabled, are still much more vulnerable than younger persons, so it becomes extremely important to be sure that they are getting the right kind of AZ home health care.

Here is a handy checklist you can use to make sure that your loved one receives proper treatment from a Phoenix health care aide.

Phoenix Home Health Checklist

  • The home health care agency does background checks on all its employees, especially those directly employed as caregivers.
  • Caregivers can be available during the night if needed, and on an emergency basis, should that be necessary.
  • The agency can provide the type of care needed by your loved one, and at the hours recommended by your family doctor for that kind of care.
  • Either the home health agency itself can provide extra needed services, or can help arrange for them – some examples might be for having meals delivered, physical therapy, mental health counseling, etc.
  • If your loved one lives alone, you may need some level of housekeeping services, in addition to bathing, dressing, shopping, transportation, meal preparation, possibly laundry service, navigational assistance, and medication reminders.
  • When skilled nursing care is needed by your senior loved one, any agency which you work with will need to have that kind of professional experience available, and must be properly certified for that work.
  • References or online reviews are available about the agency and individuals employed by the agency, and these references are predominantly positive in nature.
  • Any special needs which your senior might have, such as language, physical disability, hearing/vision loss, can be accommodated by the firm that you consider for AZ health care.
  • The cost of home health care with a candidate agency is within your budget, without having to sacrifice important services needed by your loved one.
  • It may be difficult to learn about a specific caregiver’s personality and his/her on-the-job manner, but this could be critical to having your favorite senior be compatible with the caregiver. If you can talk with other people who your candidate has worked with, you may be able to anticipate what to expect from them. If it is possible, both you and your elderly loved one should have a preliminary interview with a candidate to get a feel for what they’re like, and whether he/she is likely to get along with your senior.



Your Final Decision

In the end, there is bound to be a certain amount of guesswork and intuition involved with making a choice for the role of your senior’s caregiver. While you might get a strong feeling about a candidate caregiver merely from talking with them, when you get around to making a final decision, it should be based on factors more practical than how you feel about someone. By consulting the above checklist, and adding in any other important factors for your situation, you stand the best chance of making a good decision about home health care for your loved one.

If you are looking for senior health care or home care in the Phoenix area, contact us today. We have home health care options that can be tailored to your needs and budget.


5 Non-Medical Homecare Services for the Holiday Season

December 15, 2016 mdhomehealthadmin Caregiver Information, Hiring a Caregiver, Seasonal/Holiday Leave a comment   , , , , , , ,

The holidays are officially in full swing and that means that we often have far more work to do than we can realistically accomplish on our own. From holiday party planning, visits with friends and family, and all of the household chores and maintenance that come with this time of year, it’s often helpful to have an extra hand for you or a loved one you take care of this time of year. This is something a good Phoenix home health care provider could accomplish for you in accordance with your own schedule.

A trained professional caregiver could not only help provide medical care for a loved one this holiday, but there are also several non-medical services available to you as well. In terms of Phoenix home care, you could hire out, or outsource a variety of tasks this year. Such non-medical services provided by such a caregiver include:

  • Personal care assistance: This involves the basic tasks of personal grooming and care such as:
    • Bathing
    • Hair care
    • Helping one to dress
    • Shaving
    • Skin care
    • Helping one to the toilet
    • Reminding or administering medications
    • Feeding
    • Nail care

 

  • Homemaker tasks: These include household chores and duties such as:
    • Light cleaning and housekeeping
    • Meal planning and prep
    • Dusting
    • Vacuuming and mopping floors
    • Doing the laundry
    • Dishwashing
    • Running errands
    • Grocery shopping
    • Making the bed
    • Changing bed linens

 

  • Miscellaneous services: These are various tasks you may not have time to complete this time of year such as:
    • Care after a surgery for yourself or a loved one
    • Child care for when you little one becomes ill
    • Newborn care
    • Companionship
    • Wake up calls
    • Tucking you, or a loved one, in at night
    • Driving you or a loved one to appointments and such
    • Live-in caregiver services

 

Regardless of your level of need this holiday season, you are welcome to give MD Home Health/Home Assist a call for a free consultation. We will come to your home and sit down with you to develop a package and schedule of services that is perfect for your needs. You don’t have to do everything alone this year. Help is available and you owe it to yourself to take advantage of it.

For more information on our services, experience, or rates, call (602) 396-5742 or fill out our contact form. We look forward to serving you.


5 Ways to Keep your Cool While Caring for your Spouse

August 8, 2015 mdhomehealthadmin Articles, Caregiver Information, Hiring a Caregiver, Senior Lifestyle Leave a comment   , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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Anyone who finds themselves suddenly thrust into the role of primary caregiver for an ailing spouse can be overwhelmed by the constant attention and care necessary on a daily basis in caring for your mate. This is particularly true for disabled spouses who can do little or nothing for themselves, and require help for even basic functions like washing, eating, and bathroom needs.

In such cases, it often happens that the care-giving spouse has little or no time to himself or herself, and this can quickly lead to frustration, resentment, and over a period of time, even burnout. Before that stage is reached, it is advisable to build practices into the daily routine that can be used to maintain sanity – after all, a burned-out care-giver can’t really be much help to anyone.

Try to maintain a positive attitude

An upbeat attitude for yourself and the person you’re caring for are of utmost importance. While this is admittedly difficult to maintain, even under stress-free circumstances, it is something that should be adopted to the greatest extent possible to prevent an overall negative attitude from creeping in when caring for your loved one.

Include down time

Taking time out for yourself is extremely important, even if this only amounts to a few minutes each day. There are always times this can be scheduled, for instance when your spouse takes a nap, or is engaged watching television or reading a book. When it does happen, use this time to best advantage – clear your head and think about anything else but care-giving. Some possibilities might be taking a walk, reading a book, listening to music, or even meditating.

Get help from friends and relatives

Soliciting help from friends and relatives is nothing to be embarrassed about, and is a wise strategy for helping to avoid fatigue in caring for your spouse. Perhaps on specific days sons, daughters, or others can assist in care-giving to lessen your personal burden. Lacking any of these options, support groups may be another possibility for providing at least temporary assistance, and a broadening of the support network.

Take care of yourself too

Never allow your own health to suffer while you are tending to the health of your spouse. This means making sure your diet is a healthy one, that you get enough exercise to stay healthy and reduce stress, and that you sleep well at night so you don’t start the next day frazzled.

Emotional closeness

Try to remain receptive to emotional intimacy when caring for your spouse, since that might be one of their greatest needs. Think about which aspects of daily care cause you to be frustrated, indifferent, or even angry, and recognize them for the emotional triggers they are. Manage these so they don’t interfere with care-giving, and so that you can maintain a positive relationship with your loved one.

Home care in Phoenix

Providing constant care for a loved one is not easy, but it doesn’t have to signal the end of your own active, personal life. Home health care in Phoenix is here if you’re in need of any extra assistance, even if for those tasks that trigger the Hulk inside you. We provide a variety of non-medical and medical services which can be combined into a custom care plan for you. Give us a call, and we can send someone to your home for a free consultation. In the meantime, check out the caring.com wellness center.


Benefits of Hiring Laundry Assistance in Your Home

May 16, 2015 mdhomehealthadmin Active Living, Articles, Caregiver Information, Hiring a Caregiver, Senior Lifestyle Leave a comment   , , , , , , , , , ,

Elderly woman reading book while home helper irons laundryDid you know it takes approximately 1-2 hours to complete a single load of laundry? Hiring laundry assistance is an ideal way to take away a task that is physically difficult and exhausting. Not only does hiring laundry assistance help you physically, it will provide a number of other benefits including the following.

Help With Personal Care

Companies that provide laundry assistance often help with other day-to-day tasks including basic housekeeping duties. Bathing and dressing are other services in-house services will provide to help individuals in need of such assistance. Additional personal care needs include dressing, shaving, medication reminders, nail care, and feeding. Contacting a home care agency is the best way to find out what services are available, and what you need to use to improve your daily living.

Reduce the Risk of Slips and fall

Elderly individuals can end up with serious injuries if they slip and fall in the home. Unfortunately, many elderly individuals do not ask for help until it is too late. Hiring housekeeping companies is a great way to improve safety within your home as they will be able to remove clutter, straighten rugs, and remove things that could lead to a serious accident. Cleanliness is essential to any home as it provides order.

Social Interaction

If you are homebound, you can find it challenging to leave your home for even the smallest of things. Hiring a company to provide assistance with household chores can give you some much needed social interaction, allowing you to keep your mind fresh as you communicate with the people that come to care for your home and for you. Social interaction helps to keep away other health problems including depression. Since seniors can become socially isolated, small interactions each day with people that care for them is a great way to help reduce the pain of this isolation. Some services companies provide include daily walks, taking you to doctor’s appointments, and making sure your needs are met.

Assessing Your Needs

When you are debating hiring laundry assistance, there are other things you need to consider. Determine if you need help with the following areas:

  • Personal Care. Most people need help with bathing, eating, dressing, and toileting.
  • Household Care. Typical chores include cleaning, laundry, cooking, and shopping.
  • Health Care. Medication management, physical therapy, and making appointments with doctors.
  • Emotional Care. Companionship and conversation are meaningful activities to enjoy when you hire professionals to care for your needs.

Finding the Right At-Home Caregiver

An important aspect of hiring the right person to care for your laundry and other needs comes down to your preferences. Are you comfortable hiring a person who shares your same views, cultural background, or language? Consider what you need to obtain from the company before hiring laundry assistance. Consider working with an experienced company like MD Home Health/ MD Home Assistance for all your personal care needs.


What to Expect Post-Surgery

February 27, 2015 mdhomehealthadmin Caregiver Information, Hiring a Caregiver Leave a comment   , , , , , , , , , , ,

friendly nurse visiting recovering senior patient

Regardless of age, your post-surgical routine will often play a role in the overall effectiveness of your surgery. For older adults, this often requires  hospice care, visits to the hospital for a short while, or hiring a licensed at-home caregiver. It’s believed that the home is the optimal environment for a successful recovery.

Generally speaking, recovering from surgery will be a much smoother process with the help of a licensed caregiver in the home. It’s of the utmost importance that, once you return home from the hospital after a medical procedure or surgery, you’re as comfortable as possible. Having someone around the home who can help with things like cleaning, meal preparation and transportation to appointments could make a world of difference.

It’s expected that there will be some post-surgery pain. A licensed caregiver can assist with a variety of tasks, including rehabilitation and giving pain medication. One can also requestfriendly doctor talking to a recovering patient in wheelchair that several different caregivers come to the home for short periods of time after surgery as well. For example, a physical therapist may visit for rehabilitation, and a nurse may visit to assist with changing bandages and pain management. Another caregiver may also visit to help clean the home. Sometimes a single caregiver can provide all of the mentioned tasks.

It’s of the utmost importance that the caregivers be licensed and state-certified. They should be insured and have passed an extensive background check. After all, as we mentioned before, one of the biggest components to a successful recovery is feeling comfortable and safe.

Another service home care centers provide is companionship. While you’re recovering, there may be a lot of down time in between physical therapy, meal times, appointments and medication. Friends and family may not always be able to visit, and the independent life you’re trying to maintain may feel lonely while you recover. As a result, you can choose to have a companion visit your home when you’d like some company. This person can sit and talk with you, play games, and engage in safe activities that aid in your recovery. The risk for depression is higher after surgery, and a companion may be able to help curb some of those feelings.

Would you like some assistance or more information about surgery recovery or home care assistance? We offer a full range of home care services in Phoenix, Arizona and would love to send one of our highly skilled professionals to come put a smile on your face today. Give us a call, we’re always here to assist.


Directly Hiring a Caregiver to Save Money? Pt. 2

February 4, 2013 MD Home Health Caregiver Information, Hiring a Caregiver Leave a comment   , , , , , , ,

Directly Hiring a Caregiver to Save Money? Know ALL the Risks and Costs Before Doing So. (Pt 2)  By Dave Hildebrandt, Executive Director of MD Home Health/MD Home Assist

Another area of consideration in directly hiring consists of taxes and insurance.  The IRS states that individual employers are liable for Social Security and unemployment taxes on the wages paid to a direct hire.  If you are considered to have “willfully” failed to withhold these taxes, you will be liable for not only the taxes but interest on the amount of underpayment and civil fines of up to $100,000 as well as possible criminal penalties.

Now, how about insurance? What if the caregiver is injured on the job? Back strains and falls are very common with home care.  Will your homeowner’s policy cover it, and if so, will the policy limits be sufficient?  What if the caregiver causes your loved one a serious, life-threatening or fatal injury? Will they have malpractice insurance that will compensate you for the costs? And finally, if the caregiver should break or steal any of your personal property, will they have a bond to reimburse you for their replacement?

All of these concerns are very real.  All of them can cost a family considerable amount of money and possibly even their lifetime savings should the worse occur.  But most importantly, the safety and welfare of your loved one may be at risk unless you can insure that all these steps are followed before allowing a privately hired caregiver into your home. Sure, the costs and time commitment of performing all these steps is probably more than you ever imagined, but do you really want to cut corners when dealing with the health care of your love one?

When considering ALL the costs and risks associated with the hiring of a competent caregiver, it becomes obvious that directly hiring may not be the most prudent route to go. Your alternative to direct hire? Hire a reputable, experienced agency to assume all the costs and risks associated with hiring, training, taxes and insurance, thus allowing you to give 100% of your attention and support to your loved one with the goal of them getting better or at least reaching maximum comfort.

For more information about MD Home Health or MD Home Assist, rate quotes, or to schedule a free consultation, please contact us via: MD Home Health/MD Home Assist.


Directly Hiring a Caregiver to Save Money? Pt. 1

January 30, 2013 MD Home Health Hiring a Caregiver Leave a comment   , , , , , ,

Directly Hiring a Caregiver to Save Money? Know ALL the Risks and Costs Before Doing So. (Pt. 1)  By Dave Hildebrandt, Executive Director of MD Home Health/MD Home Assist

A recent study revealed that the cost of full time non-medical home care will average $45,000 per year in the state of Arizona (based on 44 hours of care per week). Given this, the tendency for some families will be to try to and economize by directly hiring a care giver to save money, rather than going through an agency.  This is a classic example of the phrase “penny wise, pound foolish”. Before taking this step, it is important that the consumer or family be aware of all the risks and costs associated with directly hiring a caregiver to save money.

There are basically two areas that a family must address when directly hiring a caregiver to save money: the caregiver’s personal background and clinical skills, and the administrative costs of taxes and insurance.

The first part to consider is the steps involved in conducting a background verification of a caregiver.  Once you have identified a potential candidate, which in and of itself is not always easy, you will need to interview them, run a criminal background check, credit and DMV check, verify their citizenship, their automobile insurance, and their list of references. Also, if they are licensed (CNA or RN/LPN), you will want to know if their license is current, in good standing, and if there has ever been any disciplinary action taken against them. Finally, you will want to be sure they have no communicable diseases, specifically TB, and have taken First Aid and have a current CPR training certification.

Should all of the background verification go smoothly, you will then need to be able to determine the actual competency of the caregiver, especially if you are requiring special skills that will be needed to provide the care. Are you qualified to do this?  Do you really want to use your loved one to test their competency?

And finally, suppose your direct-hired caregiver is sick, wants a day off, gets injured or simply doesn’t show for work.  Will you be prepared with a list of qualified and trained alternate caregivers who will report on a moment’s notice?

For more information about MD Home Health or MD Home Assist, rate quotes, or to schedule a free consultation, please contact us via: MD Home Health/MD Home Assist.


(602) 396-5742

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