The Elderly Gather ye rosebuds while ye may Old time is still a-flying, And this same flower that smiles today Tomorrow will be dying. ~ Robert Herrick~ The page is for information only. It may help in finding care for your love one that will allow them to stay at home and be cared for there. It may give you a starting point. There are some sites listed that may give you a point of reference. This is not an endorsement of any of the agency listed. Caring for the Elderly at Home Area Agency on Aging (AAA) Area Agency on Aging (AAA) National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC) Eldercare Locator ELDER LAW HOT LINE 1-800-231-5441 Care Guide American Society on Aging (ASA) If money is not a concern, you can try private professional agency such as Visiting Angels or Home Helpers. These are just two of many. You can get an idea of what is offered and pricing. When calling an agency be sure to ask: What type of employee screening is done? Is the employee paid by the agency or the employer? Who supervises the worker? What types of general and specialized training have the workers received?* Whom do you call if the worker does not come? What are the fees and what do they cover?* Is there a sliding fee scale? What are the minimum and maximum hours of service?* Are there service limitations in terms of tasks performed or times of the day when services are furnished?* Other avenues for finding aides who charge lower fees include churches, senior employment services, and agencies that assist displaced homemakers and others entering the employment market. Screen the applicants carefully. Ask for identification check their references When hiring the worker yourself, be sure that: The home care worker has the necessary qualifications and/or training Ask to see training certificates, particularly if the older person has special medical needs. Your interview with the prospective home care worker should include: A full discussion of the client's needs and limitations; as well as the home care worker's experience in care giving her expectations ask for the names, addresses, and phone numbers of people who have previously employed the home care worker be certain to contact them This information was obtained from an article from the Administration on Aging Live-In Care Can be a most cost-effective and flexible arrangements for home care. If there is a spare room in the family home, this can be a viable option for some care givers. Live-in help can be particularly helpful for nighttime care, split shifts (a few morning hours, a few evening hours) or other individualized scheduling needs. Screen candidates A few prescreening questions so that the person understands the basic duties and schedule. and you get an idea about the prospective worker's prior experience or training. In addition, be ready to provide basic information such as: How many hours of work (total per week or per month) are needed What days and times of day are needed Specific job duties (include driving, if appropriate) Salary and benefits, frequency of pay Other specifics (e.g., non-smoker only, must speak fluent English) Interview candidates Where have you worked before? Do you have experience working with an elderly or disabled person? Do you know about ________ (ask about a specific illness or condition)? How do you feel about working for an elderly or disabled person? Tell me a little about yourself, your interests and hobbies. Do you have any health or physical problems which might hinder you on the job? (ask about lifting, bending, ability to drive, push a wheelchair, etc.) What other obligations do you have (e.g., school, part-time job) that will affect your schedule? Do you have your own car and car insurance? Would you be able to transfer someone from a wheelchair into a car? Are you comfortable cooking for someone else? How do you feel about cooking and eating food that someone else wants? This information was obtained from Care Guide Who Will Take Grandma an original poem by Clara Clark-Grantz. [1910-1989] Who will take Grandma? Who will it be? All of us wants her, I am sure you will agree! Let's call meeting, let's gather the clan. Let's get it settled as soon as we can. In such a big family there's certainly one. Willing to give her a place in the Sun. Strange how we thought that she'd never wear out. But see how she walks, it is arthritis no doubt. Her eyesight is faded her memory dim. She is apt to insist on the slightest whim. When people get older, they become such a scare! She must have a home, but the question is where? Remember the day when she used to be spry? Bake her own Cookies, and make her own pies? Help us with our lessons, and tended our seams. Kissed away our troubles and mended our Dreams. Wonderful Grandma! We all love her so! Isn't it dreadful she has no place to go? One little corner is all she would need. A shoulder to cry on, her bible to read. A chair by the window with sun coming through. Some pretty spring flowers still covered with dew. Oh, who will take grandma now that she is old? What? Nobody wants her? Oh, yes, there is one. Willing to give her a place in the sun. Where she wont have to worry or wonder or doubt. And won't be a problem to bother about. Pretty soon now, God will give her a bed. But who'll dry our tears when dear Grandma is dead? "an original poem by Clara Clark-Grantz. [1910-1989] Orignialy published on the web Dec. 16, 1998. at:www.members.aol.com/mhet703234/grandma.htm This poem my not be copied with out the written permission of Mary Ann Hetrick EMAIL: MHet703234@aol.com ,and must include this notice." View Guestbook Sign Guestbook             Nothing on this page is for download ----- Copyright 2004 Dejaelaine