Baby Boomers wear many hats: they're parents, workers, activists, enthusiasts, community organizers, and so forth. These are roles that Boomers have chosen. But there's a new role that they may not have banked on: that of a caregiver to an aging parent.
According to Institute on Aging, about 43.5 million adult family caregivers care for someone 50 years of age and over. Among them, 14.9 million care for someone with dementia or Alzheimer's disease.
If you're a caregiver to an aging parent, you've probably found it to be a rewarding yet demanding experience. Oftentimes shifting some, or all, caregiver responsibilities over to a professional caregiver could be the right decision for both you and your loved one.
To learn more about finding and hiring professional caregivers, I interviewed Cliff Oilar, Jr., the co-owner and director of Back Home Senior Care, an Alameda, California-based non-franchised, family-owned in-home caregiving company.
Martha Laham (ML): Cliff, your company offers non-medical assistance to seniors. What is non-medical home care?
Cliff Oilar (CO): Non-medical services include personal care, which can include bathing, dressing, and bathroom visits; medication reminders; companionship; meal preparation; transportation to doctor's appointments, church, etcetera; and much more.
ML: What common full- and part-time caregiver services do you provide?
CO: We provide services on an hourly basis, with a minimum of three hours per visit. In addition, we offer overnight and 24-hour live-in care services when needed. The average service hours for our clients is between 15 to 20 hours per week.
ML: How much does it cost to hire a professional caregiver?
CO: The hourly rate for a caregiver in the San Francisco Bay Area is between $22-$28 per hour. Live-in rates range from $360-$400 per day, and constant care for a patient ranges from $560-$600 per day. These rates are determined by a patient's needs and level of care, and the specific region in which a senior lives.
ML: Are these services ever furnished in other settings like a nursing home?
CO: Yes, it is not uncommon to provide supplemental and respite care for a senior living in an assisted living, skilled nursing, or independent living facility. In some cases, the facility may be understaffed, or the family members want personalized care for a loved one. (Continue Reading)
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Need Help Caring for a Loved One? Here Are Tips for Finding a Professional Caregiver
My family had good luck hiring nursing and therapy students who were eager to learn.
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