Hiring Home Care

April 2011

Before you decide on home care, figure out what you need and how to find it.

There might come a time when you realize that the friend or loved one you’re caring for needs more help than you can give. Perhaps you’ve already reached this point. If your care recipient, like most LGBT older adults, wants to stay at home, you might consider paid home care.

What Is Home Care?

Home care includes personal care services such as bathing and dressing. They also often include homemaker services, such as help with meal preparation or household chores. Home care services differ from home health care services, which are typically short-term skilled services recommended by a doctor and provided by professionals such as a nurse or physical therapist.

How Do I Know Home Care Is Right for Me?

Before deciding on home care, it’s important to assess your needs and the needs of your loved one. Every situation is different, but here are 10 Warning Signs an older adult might need help. In addition, the National Caregivers Library has a helpful assessment tool to identify your most pressing needs. Remember to always include the person you are caring for in your discussions.

Next Steps

Once you have identified your home care needs, it is time to begin the search for appropriate services. The following articles have helpful information to help guide you through the search and hiring process:

In addition, Nine Tips on Finding LGBT-Affirming Providers provides useful strategies to finding LGBT culturally competent providers.

For More Information

Four Conversations Caregivers Need to Have. Now.
Tips for talking to your care recipient about issues such as home care.

LGBT Caring Community Online Support Group. FCA: Family Caregiving Alliance Find support from other caregivers online: FCA offers a place for LGBT caregivers of adults with chronic health problems to discuss the unique issues of caring for their loved ones.