Those dealing with issues related to Alzheimer’s disease and dementia for the first time may feel overwhelmed with the number of items that require addressing. One item in particular concerns in-home care. You should know that lists of in-home care providers have been made available through your local Area Agency on Aging, Department on Aging, and Social and Rehabilitation Services. Such agencies provide lists of sitters, homemakers, nurses, and aides who each perform specific duties. If you do decide to use one of the care providers listed through an agency, then you’ll want to makes sure you put your physician in touch with them, as your physician will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping your loved one’s care program.
While agencies may provide you with a convenient way of finding the in-home care your loved one needs, you should know that you have an alternatives. For instance, instead of going through an agency, you could choose to hire an individual on your own. If you choose to hire someone on your own, then you’ll definitely want to spend plenty of time performing the necessary background checks and following-up with references. Many resources exist for those who opt to hire someone on their own. For instance, the Alzheimer’s Association provides a list of individuals who provide in-home care, and while they cannot recommend one caregiver over another, they can certainly provide you with feedback they’ve received from people who’ve used these caregivers previously.
Finally, because you’ll want to make sure you’ve addressed any potential medical liability issues, you’ll want to consult with an Ohio elder law attorney.
