Ways to Monitor a Loved One's In-Home Caregiver. How Do You Know if They are Doing a Good Job?

If you have a loved one who needs long-term health care, how do you know the caregiver does a good job? Is there a way to monitor them when you are not there? How do you find quality caregivers? Finally, have you thought about your aging and if you are prepared?

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Ways to Monitor a Loved One's In-Home Caregiver. How Do You Know if They are Doing a Good Job?
5 Min Read February 2nd, 2017 Updated:February 18th, 2022

People today plan for long-term health care well before they retire. However, you may have a parent or other family member who is already in a care situation. Think about the caregiver? Are they doing a good job? If you are worried about leaving your older family member with a new in-home caregiver you can use these five ways to observe their work discreetly and perhaps give you peace of mind in the process.

People require long-term care services for many reasons due to an illness, accident, or just the impact of aging. Many of us will need a caregiver, and the job isn't easy, even for professionals.

Here are five discreet ways for you and your family to check on your loved one's hired caregiver - 5 Ways to Keep an Eye on Your Senior's In-Home Caregiver – DailyCaring.

Today's Technology is Helpful

Technology, however, can make watching over your loved ones and their caregivers a little easier even if you don't live nearby. Things like GPS, cameras, phone applications, robotics, emergency response systems, and other technology can be very beneficial.

The National Council for Aging Care gives you these hints: 7 Ways Technology Has Improved Senior Care | Aging.com

Video monitoring can also help monitor the caregiver and the care recipient with a live feed you and other family members can view at any time. It can also help provide feedback to help caregivers reduce the caregiving burden and provide better care. Usually, the caregiver would be aware that video monitoring is taking place and can be used to help them.

Look for the Signs

Look for signs that your loved one is thriving under the care of the caregiver - or that your loved one may not be taken care of properly. Does your loved one look like they have been appropriately dressed, kept clean, and engaged with regularly?

Is the caregiver executing the plan of care adequately? Is the family getting feedback from other sources, like the care recipient's doctor, a visiting nursing, or other friends and family that may interact with your loved one?

Sometimes the care recipient can provide feedback; however, remember the feedback could be negative if the caregiver makes sure your loved one remains active, takes medication, and eats properly.

Communication is essential. Is the caregiver communicating with the family and keeping them updated in a timely fashion? If you have medical power of attorney for your loved one, you should expect to be informed on how your parent is doing each day.

It Starts With Finding Good Caregivers

Quality caregivers will benefit everyone. These LTC NEWS guides can be helpful when you are attempting to keep your loved one at home:

If your family member owns Long-Term Care Insurance, be sure to use the benefits. Sometimes people fail to start using the benefits from a policy because they want to "wait to a rainy day." The only day we have guaranteed is yesterday. Get the benefits they are entitled to and don't delay.

LTC NEWS provides free assistance with no obligation to help you, or a loved one, complete the claims process with a Long-Term Care Insurance policy. We have teamed up with Amada Senior Care, who will do all the work, free with no obligation. 

You can also get support in finding quality caregivers and get recommendations for a proper care plan, whether a person has a policy or not. - Filing a Long-Term Care Insurance Claim | LTC News

Lots of People Getting Older

The census bureau says over 43 million seniors in the United States over age 65 and 76 million baby boomers are not yet seniors. These include the so-called late-boomers. Plus, add Generation X, and there is a huge number of people getting older. 

Because of longevity and the advancements in medical science, many of these people, you are probably one of them, will need help with everyday activities of daily living or supervision due to memory loss. 

Give your family peace of mind with an advance plan for the financial costs and burdens of aging. Aging happens, and being prepared for future declining health and the consequences of longevity will ease family stress. 

Affordable Long-Term Care Insurance gives you access to your choice of quality care as it reduces the burden to family members. It also reduces financial worry. 

Long-term health care costs have increased dramatically, especially since COVID-19. Quality in-home care providers will not be cheap. The LTC NEWS Cost of Care Calculator can show you the current and future costs of all types of long-term care services where you live.

LTC Insurance Will Be Very Helpful for You and Your Family

Many Long-Term Care Insurance policies will even pay for some of the technology allowing a person to stay at home and enjoy more freedom and independence. 

Make affordable Long-Term Care Insurance part of your future retirement plan. You can easily safeguard your 401(k), IRA, 403(b), and other savings from the high costs and burdens of long-term care. When you require care in the future your family will be worried. Don't place the full responsibility of caregiving - or managing care - on your loved ones. Long-Term Care Insurance will give those you love the time to be family instead of being caregivers.

Plus, many LTC Insurance plans include case management to help your family manage your plan of care.

The best time to plan is before your retirement, when premiums are very affordable and your good health gives you the most options. Most people obtain coverage in their 50s.

 

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About the Author

An LTC News author focusing on long-term care and aging.

LTC News Contributor James Kelly

James Kelly

Contributor since August 21st, 2017

Editor's Note

Being prepared for declining health and the consequences of aging should be a crucial part of your overall retirement plan. People need long-term care services due to an illness, accident, or the impact of aging. Health insurance and Medicare (including supplements) will not pay for most of these costs.

Family caregivers find it hard to juggle their careers and family responsibilities with that of a caregiver for an older parent. The burden is something most people have said in surveys that they don't want to place on their family.

The solution is affordable Long-Term Care Insurance. LTC Insurance provides guaranteed tax-free benefits to access your choice of quality care options, including care at home. You will protect your income and assets and reduce the stress and anxiety otherwise placed on loved ones.

Planning Tools and Resources on LTC NEWS

You can find many tools and resources on LTC NEWS to assist you in your research for a planning solution or help your family find the appropriate care for a loved one at the time of crisis. 

To help you plan the costs and burdens of changing health and aging, LTC NEWS has put in place several resources, including:

Find all the resources on LTC NEWS - Resources for Long-Term Care Planning | LTC News.

Seek Professional Guidance

Insurance rates are regulated, so no insurance agent, agency, or financial advisor can give you special deals. However, insurance companies' premiums vary over 100% for the same coverage.

Experts suggest using a qualified Long-Term Care Insurance specialist to help you navigate the many options available to you and your family.

A specialist who works with the top companies can match your age, health, family history, and other factors and find you the best coverage at the best value. A specialist will save you money, and you will have peace of mind knowing they are making the appropriate recommendations - Work With a Specialist | LTC News.

Benefits of Reverse Mortgages 

Today's reverse mortgages for those aged 62 and older could be an ideal resource to fund a Long-Term Care Insurance policy OR even provide money to pay for care if you, or a loved one, already needs help and assistance.  

Some people have much of their savings invested in their homes. With today's reverse mortgages, you can find ways to fund care solutions, care itself, even help with cash flow during your retirement. 

Learn more by asking questions to an expert. LTC NEWS columnist and host of the TV Show "62 Who Knew" will answer your questions regarding caregiving, aging, health, retirement planning, long-term care, and reverse mortgages. 

Share Your Knowledge - Be A Guest Contributor for LTC NEWS 

LTC NEWS is open to contributors to share their stories with the world. 

You can write a story or ongoing column for LTC NEWS. You can write about many topics, including aging, caregiving, health, lifestyle, retirement planning, and long-term care, to name a few.

Be sure to write for our core target audience of adults aged 40 and older. Our audience is worldwide; however, our primary target is the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and other English-speaking nations. 

Improve your website or blog's SEO and gain exposure and traffic at the same time by being a contributor to LTC NEWS. 

You can even promote yourself, your business, and your website or blog. However, it must have editorial content exclusive to LTC NEWS and not just an advertisement. It can include links to other sites, and you can share the article link once published on your website or social media.

Email your story idea or article: newsroom@ltcnews.com - LTC News Contributors | LTC News

LTC NEWS - Your Marketing and Advertising Partner

Use LTC NEWS to drive traffic to your website and help you attract people interested in your products and services. Plus, you can improve your website's SEO so more consumers can find you when they search for your products and services.

There are various marketing options available with LTC NEWS. Traditional advertising, sponsored content articles, strategic alliances, and more are available. 

Learn more about how LTC NEWS can help you market your business, drive traffic, and improve SEO - Advertise With Us | LTC News.

Shared Links

LTC NEWS offers a 'helpful links' page so readers looking for additional information can find them easily. You can get a dofollow link to your website on LTC NEWS in exchange for a dofollow link on your site.

Let's work together and help consumers who search for us on the web - Site Request | LTC News.

You can also affordably purchase a dofollow link to your website or blog on LTC NEWS. Just contact the advertising department.

Sharing News with LTC NEWS 

Include LTC NEWS in your press release distribution. If your group, organization, business, political committee, etc., have news to share, send it to LTC NEWS. Email - newsroom@ltcnews.com  

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