Cambrian Homecare: Steps to Hiring an Orange County In-Home Caregiver

Orange County, CA, February 02, 2013 --(PR.com)-- Cambrian Homecare (www.cambrianhomecare.com), a leading Orange County in-home caregiver, educates families and friends on common home care issues. This week we take a closer look at the steps to take before choosing a caregiver.

There comes a point when using family and friends for care is not enough and professional assistance is needed. Often this occurs when a loved one needs daily—if not around the clock—care and assistance with daily activities such as showering, eating, and dressing. Family and friend caregivers often don’t have the time to take care of minor household activities, thus leaving them undone. Hiring an Orange County in-home caregiver can help ease the workload and provide a loved one with the care she needs and her family with the security of knowing she is in good hands.

Assess Needs
Before hiring an in-home caregiver, the needs of the individual must be assessed. Does she need assistance with daily activities? Does she require a special diet? Does her medication or daily health need to be monitored? A physician or other qualified professional should perform this assessment to determine the individual’s needs in terms of professional, in-home care.

Assess the Budget
While some insurance plans cover Orange County in-home caregivers, others do not. Therefore, creating a budget is important so that family know how much they can spend on a weekly and monthly basis for their loved one’s in-home care. Enlisting the help of numerous family members can help lighten the financial burden and open the door to more in-home caregiver options. Contact the loved one’s insurance plan to see if a portion of the care is covered. A doctor’s referral may be required for coverage.

Create a Schedule
With the assistance of an in-home care service, a caregiver schedule should be drafted. Outline what hours and days the caregiver is expected to work. If around-the-clock care is needed, this must be specified with the agency so that the duties can be split among several in-home care workers.

Visit a Homecare Agency
Numerous Orange County in-home caregiver agencies are available, but not all provide the same services or level of services. Family and friends should look for homecare agencies that:
· Do background checks and screenings on all caregivers
· Carry workers compensation insurance for their caregivers
· Are large enough to substitute qualified caregivers if one is ill
· Accept insurance, including Medicaid or Medicare
· Can provide a variety of caregivers based on an individual’s specific care needs
· Only hire highly trained and certified caregivers

Selecting a Caregiver
A homecare agency typically provides families with a few caregivers to interview. It is important to not only assess the caregiver’s background, education, and experiences, but also assess his interaction with the person he is taking care of to ensure an appropriate level of comfort.

Some important things to look for during an Orange County in-home caregiver interview include:
· Asking for references and following up on them
· Ensuring the caregiver has the skill-set, education, and experience with the type of care a loved one requires
· Ensuring the caregiver is physically capable of handling all in-home care tasks, such as lifting a person to and from a bed
· Watching for a positive interaction between the caregiver and the individual to make sure they can get along with one another

Hiring an in-home caregiver may seem like a daunting task, but with the assistance of a reputable homecare agency, most families can find the right caregiver for their loved one’s needs without hassle. Although the idea of giving up control for some is difficult, an in-home caregiver allows your loved one to retain her freedom and independence while still receiving the care she needs.

Learn more about hiring the right Orange County in-home caregiver for your loved one by visiting www.CambrianHomecare.com or calling 877.422.2270.

About:

Rhiannon Acree is the founder and president of Cambrian Homecare, a homecare agency based in Long Beach, California. Cambrian Homecare serves Long Beach, the South Bay, Orange County, Palm Springs, Riverside, San Bernardino, and the San Gabriel Valley, California, employing professional caregivers that provide customized, flexible, non-medical homecare services seven days a week. Visit www.CambrianHomecare.com or call 877.422.2270 to learn more about your homecare options in Long Beach, Orange County, and other California locations.