Considering home care services for your mother? If so, then you will likely be looking into a host of different options. You may also feel overwhelmed with the things that are available.

You could choose to hire through an agency. You may find that in home health care services would be the better option for your mother. You could also hire an independent contractor to take care of your mother.

You will discover that when it comes to home care services, there are plenty of options available, including having someone stop by for an hour or two one or two days a week all the way to live in home care.

The more you begin to learn about what’s available for your elderly loved one, you’ll begin to feel more at ease about them staying at home, even if you’re not able to be there to support them, check on them, or ensure that they are safe.

Safety is a major concern.

Safety is important to you. It always has. The last thing that you want is for your mother to not be safe within her own home. So how can you ensure that she’s going to be safe when you hire what is, effectively, a stranger to come into her home?

That’s usually when people begin to wonder about the reality of elderly abuse committed by caregivers. Maybe you’ve noticed the news items that have been circulating for a number of years. One story might be out of Chicago. Another could be from Florida. Yet another could be from New Jersey. It doesn’t matter where your mother lives, the reality of abuse is the same where she is and where these stories are.

Fraud, theft, and abuse have occurred. Let’s not hide from that fact. Yet there are many things that you can to help reduce the risk that your mother would be a victim to some sort of abuse.

Hiring through an agency that conducts a background check on potential employees is one way to protect your mother. Asking about training and certification that the agency has earned or offers is employees is another.

Abuse is rare when it comes to home care services. The more you take control of the process of hiring a caregiver, such as researching the potential agency and avoiding hiring someone through a help wanted ad, the more you’ll be able to protect your loved one. Contact a home care agency to find out what they do to protect the elderly patients in their care.

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Donna Wrabel, LMSW

Co-Owner at At Your Side Home Care

For most of us, the word "home" evokes warm feelings of comfort, security and well-being. For older adults, home also means holding tight to cherished memories and maintaining self-esteem and independence. When illness, injury or age make life a little more challenging, remaining at home in a comfortable, familiar environment encourages recovery and enhances the quality of life. Home can be defined as a private residence, an independent or assisted living facility or even a short term stay in the hospital, we recognize the additional benefits provided by a personal, professional assistant.

Our Certified Nurse Aides, 24-Hour Live-in Assistants and Home Health Aides are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We also provide the security and confidence of 24-hour Telephone Assistance, so fast, reliable help is always available when it's needed. To learn more about our homecare services see our homecare services page.

Different people need different levels of homecare. To meet the requirements of our clients, At Your Side Homecare maintains consistent staffing levels of caring professionals. Homecare service is available for as little as a few hours a week, or as many as 24 hours a day, seven days a week

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