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The trustworthy, loyal and efficient
care for seniors or the infirmed provided by a Heartland caregiver
is to be appreciated and encouraged to remain as such. Our companions
to seniors, for example, are incredibly giving people with a
high regard and respect for elders, as well as a comprehensive
understanding of geriatrics. Remember, it is not the goal of
our caregivers and companions to move in and try and change your
parents' or other loved one's lifestyle. Our competent and sensitive
caregivers ease the difficulties brought on by advanced age while
allowing seniors the space and independence they require, while
forging a harmonious, long-term relationship. The bond between
a caregiver and a person requiring care to be able to stay in
their home, can be a beautiful thing to behold. It allows a precious
measure of independence and autonomy for the senior. It can also
relieve an elderly person of their concerns about burdening his
or her own children with the infirmities of aging.
Our caregivers are dedicated
professionals selected for their suitability for the rewarding
yet highly demanding work of in-home care. Because most persons
requiring care cannot be left alone for any period of time, it
can be confining. It also requires enormous patience, respect
and a high-level of attention to detail and accountability. With
so many difficulties involved, you may wonder what type of person
is be drawn to this work. If so, you will be surprised at the
high caliber of skilled and loving individuals who have chosen
live-in companionship and caregiving as their profession. Oftentimes,
they are widowed or divorced and in their middle years, with
their children grown and leading independent lives. Frequently,
they have a professional background in healthcare related work,
or have personal experience as parents, homemakers or in caring
for elderly or infirmed members of their own families. Whatever
the case, you can be assured that they share a strong dedication
to their work and a real compassion toward those needing their
care.
We charge a $350 application
fee, which is good for 18 months of reviewing the files of our
highly qualified applicants. However, we fully expect you to
select the right caregiver within the first month of contacting
us. Our fee is 20% of the caregiver's first annual salary. However,
since the health of many of our seniors is so delicate, we are
happy to take this payment quarterly until paid-with termination
of payment possible at anytime that a caregiver ceases to be
needed.
What follows are suggestions,
based on what our many live-in caregivers have shared with us
over the years. Keep in mind that acknowledging the need for
live-in care and some of the changes that it may involve, might
be upsetting to the senior, at least initially. By working with
your caregiver, family members and friends can ease much of the
difficulty and accomplish needed tasks in a manner that minimizes
the stress felt by the person needing aid.
- The person to be cared for
may resist or deny the need for live-in assistance. If so, it
is important that family or friends be on hand to help with this
important transition.
- Make sure the caregiver's room
is cleared of all family belongings and is ready to serve as
their own space within the home. We strongly suggest providing
TV and stereo or radio and phone extension in the caregiver's
bedroom. The room should be furnished with a bed and a good mattress,
a dresser and a chair at minimum.
- Home should be clean and in
good repair. Hire a cleaner, if necessary, to have the house
as clean and organized as possible for your caregiver's arrival.
- Have someone take the time
to show your caregiver around the neighborhood, town and outlying
areas. This will help her/him feel comfortable about venturing
out when time permits. Acquainting your caregiver with the surrounding
environment also helps her or him plan outings and activities
for your loved-one if appropriate.
- Caregiver should have an adequate
budget to buy food and household items.
- If person to be cared for cannot
be left alone for even a portion of an hour, it is important
that family, friends or respite workers be scheduled. Everyone
needs relief time when they can leave the premises to exercise,
keep personal affairs in order and to simply recharge themselves
for their emotionally demanding work.
- It is important that the caregiver
has contact information and access to any doctors or other medical
professionals the person under their care is seeing. Caregivers
should be encouraged to communicate with the doctor whenever
needed. A full disclosure of any and all medical conditions and
diagnosis's are necessary to allow the caregiver to provide the
best possible service.
- The very best relationships
develop when people take time to communicate. Encourage the caregiver
to discuss working conditions with you if something is amiss.
- Caregivers thrive when they
feel their work is appreciated and that salary increases are
possible. An end-of-the year bonus is thanks for a job well done
and encouragement to stay on.
- Decline of health in the person
requiring care will increase your caregiver's workload, especially
if there is sleep disruption. Make use of agency and community
services that are available in your community, such as those
offered through Medicare. You should be prepared to raise the
salary of the live-in caregiver as decline sets in and his or
her workload increases.
- A caregiver's salary should
not be docked if the person needing care is hospitalized. Of
course, if the hospital stay is lengthy, some negotiation of
pay is needed.
- In the event of the passing
on or relocation of the person needing care, it is customary
to provide severance pay to the caregiver. We suggest two weeks
to one month's pay. Also, the caregiver may be asked to stay
on until the estate is settled. They might be assigned to organize
and prepare the home for eventual sale or transfer to heirs,
and/or to provide security of the home.
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