By: Cindy Hasz, Geriatric Care Manager
Anyone who knows eldercare will tell you that as necessary as medical professionals are in providing care to our aging loved ones, non-medical caregivers are the foundation of any home care team. In an industry that is unregulated by any governmental agency, it is critical to have the right persons taking care of your loved one at home. It is equally important to have those caregivers overseen and managed on a daily basis.
Oversight of caregivers in the home is minimal, even with the best home care agencies in San Diego. The supervisory staff is just not able to get around to see all of their caregivers on any regular basis no matter what you are told. The caregivers who are for the large part alone with your loved one, need to be very dedicated and skilled individuals. These caregivers need to be chosen and trained carefully. Even then, they cannot function well without the support of a knowledgeable team. No caregiver is an island… at least they should never be. Systems need to be set up in the home to support and direct care. The care of your loved one needs to be monitored offsite daily by qualified individuals.
It may come as a surprise to you but this is far above the community standard of care currently given by San Diego caregivers and caregiver agencies, however it will not stay that way for long.
As more and more savvy sons and daughters understand the importance of keeping a watchful eye on the people caring for their mothers and fathers, they will insist that the caregivers they hire to provide care to their very vulnerable loved ones are supported, directed and held accountable by qualified individuals.
Even though providing custodial care in the home is a “non-medical” model, given the multiple chronic illnesses that plague most elders, caregiver agencies with built in oversight by health and human service professionals are quickly becoming the new community standard in San Diego.
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