How to choose an in-home health aide

As you age, you may need help to take care of your health but want to live independently in your home.

If so, you’re in good company, as 90 percent of older adults would prefer to age in place, rather than move into an assisted living facility or nursing home, according to an AARP survey.

Fortunately, you can have good health care and independent living with an in-home health aide. An aide can offer care for a short amount of time during the day or can stay with you around the clock. Depending on your needs, an aide can help with many tasks, according to AARP:

• They can do chores, such as laundry, cooking, and shopping.
• They can help with daily activities, such as bathing, dressing, eating, grooming, moving from one place to another, and toileting.
• They can check vital signs, like blood pressure, respiration, and pulse.
• They can monitor physical and mental health, including your level of exercise and how much you’re eating, drinking, and going to the bathroom.
• They can help with emergencies, like an accident, heart attack, or stroke.

There are several steps to take when you hire an in-home health aide. First, determine what kind of care, and how much, you need. For example, what kind of daily tasks are you finding difficult to do on your own? Do you need help throughout the day or for just a few hours a day? What do you expect to need help with in the future?

Second, decide if you want to hire through an agency or on your own. The advantages of using an agency are that you will get a prescreened aide and will have backup care when that person is busy. You also won’t have to worry about offering benefits as an employer because the agency takes care of those.

If you hire an aide on your own, you will need to ask for recommendations, run background checks, conduct interviews, and ask for references. The advantages of going through that process are that you may be able to find an aide who charges less than an agency and who can be more flexible. Additionally, you can see if your personalities are a good match.

Third, consider what you can afford. If you qualify for Medicare or have long-term care insurance, some or all of your care may be covered.

If you choose to go through an agency, the Mayo Clinic suggests you ask for written, detailed explanations of all services and fees associated with home care. Once you have this from several agencies, you’ll be able to choose the best one for your budget.

If you hire a home health aide yourself, remember to factor in sick days, holidays, vacation, payroll taxes, and Social Security because your aide will be considered a household employee.

Finally, once you’ve chosen your health aide, you’ll want to create a care plan to ensure nothing is overlooked. It could include the following:

• Days and hours you need assistance
• Daily tasks that need to be completed
• Schedule of appointments and medication times
• List of resources, such as your doctor’s information
• Emergency plan
• Any preferences you have

Re-evaluate your care plan every few months and include family members you trust in the discussions. Having loved ones on board will be helpful in the future when you may need more support as you continue to age in place.