When visiting with potential clients during our free in-home consultation, we often find many common misconceptions about home care and what the experience entails. For many, home care is a blessing, a secure way for parents to remain living independently in the home. Others are, naturally, nervous about letting strangers into their home to care for their loved ones.
Below are the six most some common myths about home care – and the realities:
Myth #1: Homecare is only for the sick or infirm.
Reality: Most families employ FirstLight caregivers to provide personal care or companion care for their aging parents, even though they are not ill. Instead, FirstLight caregivers provide the extra assistance older clients need to remain living independently in their own homes. A caregiver can come into their home, providing regular showers, meal preparation, medication reminders, transportation and more. We provide non-medical home care for those who may need a little help around the house. FirstLight caregivers do also provide disability care, post-operative care and veteran’s care to those who are 18 or older. And should your parents need regular visits by a nurse, FirstLight can coordinate all medical care as well. But the vast majority of our clients are generally healthy, but just need a little help with daily activities they can no longer do safely on their own.
Myth #2: I can’t choose my caregiver.
Reality: FirstLight Home Care takes great care to match a caregiver with an individual’s needs. We know you want someone who will connect positively and personally with your parent, spending time with similar interests and hobbies. We analyze your family member’s needs and prepare a thorough care plan before sending a caregiver to a home. If at any point you or your parent is displeased with a caregiver, we will make a substitution. Our goal is to provide the ideal fit for your parent.
Myth #3: Home care is more expensive than assisted living.
Reality: According to the 2015 Cost of Care Survey conducted by Genworth Financial, a Fortune 500 insurance company, the median cost of a one-bedroom residence in an assisted living community is $4,525 per month here in Thurston County. In contrast, the cost of having a caregiver from FirstLight Home Care spend 30 hours/week caring personally for your family member is nearly 30% less. Plus, there are many ways to pay for home care, including long-term care insurance, VA benefits and more. Physically, in-home care can be better than a facility because it allows seniors to remain active longer. They can maintain their own schedules and a certain level of mobility. Emotionally it can be better, too, because some seniors who are put in facilities develop depression that can negatively impact their health and quality of life.
Myth #4: Caregivers will rob or abuse my parents.
Reality: Elder abuse is a serious issue that, disturbingly, is becoming increasingly more common. We have all seen or heard news stories about the elderly being robbed, abused or targeted for scams. These cases most often involve individual, unskilled caregivers or home health aides that do not come from a reputable home care agency. In fact, the best way to protect your parent or loved one is to hire a proven service like FirstLight Home Care because we put all of our caregivers through rigorous screening, comprehensive training and careful supervision. FirstLight does not rely on independent consultants. Our caregivers are employees of our locally-owned company. They are licensed, bonded and insured. Our stellar reputation depends on it!
Myth #5: I’m from a big family, so there should be plenty of people to help my parents.
Reality: Unfortunately, caregiving responsibilities will most often fall on one person’s shoulders – generally an adult female child. And, while rewarding, caring for a family member full-time is a job that can be overwhelming, exhausting and depressing. It can be very difficult to make the time on top of your other daily responsibilities like your career and family. But FirstLight caregivers can provide respite care for family members who prefer to be the primary caregiver. This allows the family caregiver the break they need to maintian their own health and well-being.
Myth#6: My Dad is such a handful that no one will want to care for him.
Reality: As an experienced in home care agency, we have seen it all, particularly in some clients with dementia. Your Dad may spit or cuss like a sailor. Or maybe he’s so demanding, you want to tear your hair out! What may be embarrassing or unacceptable to you is something our experienced, compassionate and trained caregivers see often, if not every day!
The simple fact is that most aging adults want to stay at home. According to AARP, 92 percent of people over the age of 65 want to stay in their homes as long as possible. Why? In a word: freedom. People enjoy their independence.
FirstLight Home Care of South Sound, located in Olympia, WA is the ideal solution to accommodate this need, providing services on a part-time or full-time basis for short or long-term needs. We provide the independence, security and freedom your parents or elder loved one may need.
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