How to Find the Right Caregiver for a Parent

Despite the fact that we ourselves age, we expect that our parents will forever remain middle-aged. If a parent starts to show signs of physical and/or mental deterioration that often goes along with the natural aging process, we are forced to address the reality that they are aging. If that is where you are with your parent, it may be time to find a caregiver for your parent. If so, an Indianapolis elder law attorney at Frank & Kraft offers suggestions for how to find the right caregiver for a parent.

Is It Time for a Caregiver?

Adult children often hesitate to suggest that a parent needs a caregiver for several reasons. Sometimes they don’t want to face the reality that their parent needs a caregiver while other times they fear offending a parent or worry that a caregiver will take away a parent’s independence. Regardless of the reason, if you are hesitating to acknowledge the need for a caregiver, keep in mind that failing to do so could result in your parent being injured or falling victim to those who prey on the elderly. If you are unsure that a caregiver is needed, the following signs may help point to the need for assistance:

• Forgetting important dates or appointments
• Failing to pay bills on time
• Unkempt appearance/deteriorating hygiene habits
• Loss of weight without an explanation
• Bills unpaid/services shut off
• Rapidly deteriorating health
• Mismanagement of money/missing money

Tips for Choosing a Caregiver

If you have decided that a caregiver is warranted for your parent, the next step is to choose one. If family members are able to provide the necessary care, you may not need to look further; however, if family members cannot act as caregivers, the following tips may be helpful:

1. Determine the type and extent of care needed. Your parent’s physician may be able to help with this. Does your parent need help with daily tasks of living only, such as cooking or cleaning, a couple of days a week? Or does he/she need more intensive care daily?
2. Establish funding sources.  Your parent likely has Medicare; however, that may not be the only option to help cover the cost of a caregiver. Your parent may also qualify for Medicaid, Veterans Aid & Attendance, or other government programs.
3. Set a budget.  Do a little research to figure out what the prevailing rates are in your area and compare those to any limitations in Medicare, VA&A, and Medicaid benefits to try and determine how much you can afford to pay per week/month.
4. Make use of online resources.  There are several reliable online resources that can help you narrow down the available options in your area, such as:
   1. Eldercare Locator
   1. Nursing Home Compare
   1. Caring.com
5. Interview providers. Set aside time to interview companies/organizations that provide in-home caregivers. You need to get a feel for the company and its philosophy/practices, not just the actual caregiver.
6. Interview candidates.  Once you have narrowed down what type of care your parent needs, how much you can afford, and what providers appear to fit your needs, it is time to start interviewing the actual caregiver candidates. Prepare questions ahead of time and don’t be afraid to as difficult questions.
7. Check references and insist on doing your own criminal history check. All too often people do not actually check references. Instead of making that mistake, insist on running your own background check instead of relying on one that a company has purportedly run.
8. Follow-up. Once you choose a caregiver, make sure you follow up. Pop up unannounced when you know that he/she will be at your parent’s house. Monitor bank accounts, ask for status updates from doctors, and generally provide oversight to ensure that your choice of caregiver was the right choice.

Contact an Indianapolis Elder Law Attorney

For more information, please download our FREE estate planning worksheet. If you have additional questions or concerns about elder law issues, contact an experienced Indianapolis elder law attorney at Frank & Kraft by calling (317) 684-1100 to schedule an appointment.

Paul Kraft is Co-Founder and the senior Principal of Frank & Kraft, one of the leading law firms in Indiana in the area of estate planning as well as business and tax planning.

Mr. Kraft assists clients primarily in the areas of estate planning and administration, Medicaid planning, federal and state taxation, real estate and corporate law, bringing the added perspective of an accounting background to his work.

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