The signs that your parent might be needing help to get through the day can hit you quickly or sneak up on you gradually. If you want to avoid moving him to a facility or institution, you can hire outside help or provide the help yourself if it’s possible. If you have family and work to think of, home care is a better option.

Home care refers to services that enable individuals of all ages to remain in the comfort and security of their homes while receiving care. If you choose to hire a caregiver, you must decide what level of care your father requires. You also have to decide whether you want to go through an agency or hire a caregiver privately. Hiring an independent contractor is less expensive but it involves more risk and is where most fraud and abuse are likely to occur; continuity of care is another concern. Working through an agency is not foolproof but it is a safer and more cost-effective route as an agency assumes responsibility and liability for their caregivers who are bonded and insured.

Make the decision as a family. For some, learning to accept help from others is a complicated, emotional issue; your parent may have some reluctance to allowing “someone else” in the home. Help him focus on the fact that home care is an addition that allows him to safely remain at home. Once he is comfortable with the home care option, sit down together as a family and assess your father’s needs in the areas of personal care and household management. Determine how much assistance is needed (hourly or live-in) and set clear expectations. Ask your parent if he will be more comfortable with a caregiver who shares his cultural background and/or language, or if he has a preference between male and female caregivers, particularly if the hired caregiver will be assisting with personal care activities. Make sure the new caregiver has an appropriate orientation before he or she actually begins work. Go through the daily routine and familiarize the caregiver with his or her job responsibilities. To the extent possible, involve your parent by addressing his needs, interests, preferences, and health concerns.

Hiring a caregiver helps sustain an older adult in his home, keeps him safe, maintains his independence and dignity, and ultimately improves his quality of life. It can also take some pressure off the rest of the family.