There are many factors to consider when caring for an elderly or a person with a disability.
In some instances, a nursing home is the only viable option given the level of care and seriousness of medical issues. However, in most cases, in-home care is the best for your loved one’s physical and emotional wellbeing.
Whatever the age, a person with a disability may require support in performing daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, and personal care. They may also need help with meal preparation, doing homework, transport to their support group, medication management, and shopping.
When choosing a home care provider for your relative in Portland, Oregon, you have to understand the services offered and compare them with your loved one’s needs. All you want is people who can meet all your loved one’s needs.
Understanding the Capabilities and Challenges of your Family Member
When choosing in-home care for a disabled person or your parents, the first step is to understand what they can and cannot do for themselves.
Disability comes in many forms. It may be cognitive or physical and involve conditions such as physical disability, vision impairment, mental health illness, down’s syndrome, cerebral palsy, Alzheimer’s, dementia, and hearing deficiency.
The level of disability will determine the proper home care for your loved one. Sometimes, all that a person living with disability needs is a companion or someone to help with visits to the doctor and basic housekeeping when other family members are at work.
You may also have family caregivers available at certain hours so caregiving services are only required in their absence.
In-Home Evaluation for People with Disabilities
When you engage an agency specializing in-home care, they will often request an evaluation to determine the right staff and care program for your patient. In case extensive medical care is needed, the Agency will send someone with medical experience and experience in handling patients with certain conditions.
Most agencies use a guide by the U.S. government Department of Health and Human Services to determine if an elderly citizen is disabled. The aim is to determine if your loved one can perform daily activities so the right level of care is given.
The core abilities tested include:
Bathing
Dressing
Using the toilet
Feeding oneself
Moving from chair to bed
The In-Home Care Agency will further test if the patient can take medications as required, prepare their meals, do housework, go grocery shopping, and manage finances. Some patients only need occasional help with activities like meal preps, while others require ongoing service.
Choosing the Right Agency for your Loved one
Where a caregiver is concerned, it is always wise to go with a reputable agency. You want to get a caregiver from a company that conducts thorough background checks, qualification verification, education, and experience checks.
The Agency should also consider compatibility. It is necessary for your loved one to feel comfortable and safe around the caregiver, so a connection should be established from the start.
If the disabled person is younger, there are more factors to consider when matching them with a caregiver. You will often find that these young patients are not looking for a parent figure but someone to care for and connect emotionally with them.
If you have cared for your disabled child or children since birth, it may get to a point where you don’t feel like you can handle their physical and emotional care. In such a case, an in-home caregiver will step in to take care of the physical needs, so you have enough energy to care for your loved one emotionally.
In some instances, a disabled adult will choose to live away from family but get home care either during specific hours or round-the-clock. A caregiver who respects such an individual’s need for independence is the right choice.
Whatever the condition, your loved ones need a professional yet compassionate caregiver who will make them feel loved and cared for. Get them the right home care assistance for their health and comfort.
If you want the best in-home care in Portland, Oregon, for your elderly parents or persons with a disability, get in touch with the Caring for Portland. They will brief you on their care options for seniors, draw a care plan for your loved one, send the right caregiver, and ensure your loved one’s needs are met, all these at an affordable rate.
