Protect yourself or loved ones with a licensed caregiver for peace of mind

As our world changes, so do the needs of our loved ones. During times of uncertainty, one thing is for sure – you can always count on a certified caregiver from a licensed personal care agency. If your physician, family member or friend has recommended in-home care, there are a lot of options available. To determine the type of care that best meets your needs, one of these two types of in-home care assessments needs to occur: companion services or inhome care.

Sitting or companion services is simply a “hands-off” type of service. The concentration is more focused on day-to-day living and companionship. Caregivers can spend time with and accompany clients on outings, provide housekeeping services, playing games and preparing meals. It is important to use a licensed and bonded personal care agency to ensure the quality of the caregiver in your home.

Licensed home care agencies are considered more of a “handson” service. If bathing, dressing, grooming, feeding, transferring and/or ambulation-type services are what you are looking for, then an agency licensed and regulated by the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals is required by law. State-licensed homecare agencies cannot perform medical tasks such as injections. A physician order is not required since these services are traditionally paid with long-term care policies or client funds. Generally, neither Medicare nor privately funded insurances will cover these services.

You can’t be there every minute of the day, but there is quality elderly care in Shreveport-Bossier to help you fill in the gaps. When you hire someone to work with your loved one, you want that person to have the training necessary to meet every individual need with compassionate care. There are plenty

of freelance caregivers out there, but choosing a caregiver company protects your loved ones against potential problems. When you go with a licensed company, you can have peace of mind in several areas.

Insurance Issues

If you hire a freelance in-home care Shreveport caregiver, and that person gets hurt on the job, you would quite possibly be held responsible for any medical payments. Companies, on the other hand, have liability insurance and other coverage that protect you and your loved one against anything that might occur when a caregiver is in the senior’s home.

Experienced and Certified Caregivers

Licensed companies send caregivers with experience. They will have been interviewed and have been drug-screened, background- and reference-checked, had their driver’s license checked, and will be a W-2 employee. Most agencies completed over 20 hours of in-house training to ensure you are getting what you need, and the plan of care will be followed.

Activities of Daily Living

You or your loved one may need a private, certified in-home caregiver if two or more of these basic activities of daily living are compromised.

Basic ADLs consist of self-care tasks that include:

• Bathing and showering.

• Personal hygiene and grooming, such as brushing and combing hair.

• Dressing.

• Toilet hygiene (getting to the toilet, cleaning oneself and getting back up).

• Functional mobility, often referred to as “transferring,” as measured by the ability to walk, get in and out of bed, and get into and out of a chair; the broader definition (moving from one place to another while performing activities) is useful for people with different physical abilities who are still able to get around independently.

• Self-feeding and able to obtain food and nutrition.

Instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) are not necessary for fundamental functioning, but they let an individual live independently in a community:

• Cleaning and maintaining the house or apartment.

• Moving within the community or neighborhood.

• Preparing meals and planning for family visits.

• Shopping for groceries and necessities.

• Taking prescribed medications.

• Using the telephone or other form of communication.

The ability to “age in place” and keep a joyful lifestyle even during family isolation, such as this COVID-19 pandemic, is paramount to the quality of life for our senior population.

Call any licensed agency today to set up your personalized care plan to ensure you and your family are taken care of.

Keith Carter is the owner and CEO of Always Best Care Senior Services in Northwest Louisiana, located at 4700 Line Ave., Ste. 111, Shreveport, LA 71106. For more information: 318-424-5300 or www.abc-shreveport.com.