{"id":630976,"date":"2025-01-09T13:57:15","date_gmt":"2025-01-09T18:57:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=630976"},"modified":"2025-01-21T12:43:16","modified_gmt":"2025-01-21T17:43:16","slug":"how-to-find-a-caregiver","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/how-to-find-a-caregiver\/","title":{"rendered":"How to find a caregiver"},"content":{"rendered":"

Providing care for a family member often feels like a full-time job. For many, it is: nearly 1 in 4 family caregivers spends<\/span> more than 41 hours per week<\/span> providing care, according to the Family Caregiver Alliance. That means balancing household responsibilities while tending to social, emotional, and medical needs\u2014often at the same time as working a separate job.<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s no wonder that many caregivers feel overwhelmed, according to AARP. Hiring help will ease the strain, but finding the right person may feel like a new burden. How do you make sure you find someone who is the right fit to care for your loved one? <\/span><\/p>\n

This guide will walk you through the process of finding a caregiver\u2014from determining your loved one’s needs to establishing a routine with your ideal caregiver. By the end, you\u2019ll know how to be sure you\u2019ve found the right person for the job.<\/span><\/p>\n

Types of caregivers<\/span><\/h2>\n

Caregivers generally fall into two categories:<\/span> informal and formal<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Informal caregivers are typically family members or friends who help with daily tasks or basic medical needs. Although there are <\/span>programs that may offer compensation<\/span> for informal caregivers, this role is usually unpaid.<\/span><\/p>\n

Formal caregivers<\/span> usually have professional experience and training in caregiving. Many are licensed, and their duties may extend beyond those of informal caregivers. Home health aides, for example, help care recipients with daily activities and monitor their conditions, while registered nurses provide more advanced medical care, like assessing health conditions and administering medications, amongst other skilled services.<\/span><\/p>\n

Determine care needs<\/span><\/h2>\n

The type of caregiver you should hire will depend on the specific needs of the care recipient.<\/span><\/p>\n

Medical and health requirements<\/span><\/h3>\n

Start by assessing your care recipient\u2019s medical and health needs. What is the person able to do on their own? Where does the recipient need extra help? If you are not sure what sorts of needs your care recipient may have, this may be formally assessed by professionals such as a nurse, physical or occupational therapist, or geriatric care manager.<\/span><\/p>\n

If the support the recipient requires is on the low-end, you might like to begin by searching within your family or local community for an informal caregiver. If the recipient needs regular medical attention or skilled nursing needs, it\u2019s best to seek a more qualified professional, such as a formally trained caregiver.<\/span><\/p>\n

Emotional and social support needs<\/span><\/h3>\n

Since people who need long-term care <\/span>often experience social isolation<\/span><\/a>, it\u2019s essential to consider your care recipient\u2019s non-medical needs as well. While formal caregivers will provide some companionship, their primary role is usually to focus on assistance with Activities of Daily Living, or \u201cADLs\u201d (bathing, toileting, etc.) or Instrumental Activities of Daily Living, or \u201cIADLs\u201d (bill paying, using the phone, etc), or various medical needs.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re worried your care recipient lacks emotional or social support, consider asking an informal caregiver\u2014like a friend or family member\u2014to help fill this gap. You also may want to consider looking into a volunteer \u201cfriendly visitor\u201d from your local <\/span>Area Agency on Aging<\/span><\/a> or look into Meals on Wheels, which may provide some additional social support.<\/span><\/p>\n

Financial considerations<\/span><\/h3>\n

Finally, you need to consider the cost.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The cost of caregiving across the United States varies depending on whether formal or informal care is needed. <\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>Informal caregivers:<\/strong><\/p>\n

According to an <\/span>updated report from AARP<\/span><\/a>, \u201cThe estimated economic value of family caregiving is $600 billion, based on about 38 million caregivers providing an average of 18 hours of care per week for a total of 36 billion hours of care, at an average value of $16.59 per hour.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

In 2021 alone, caregivers provided 36 billion hours of support\u2014that\u2019s the same as 4.1 million years spent caregiving.<\/span><\/p>\n

Formal caregivers:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Based on the most updated <\/span>cost of care survey<\/span><\/a> by Genworth Financial, the 2023 median hourly cost for home health aide services in the United States is $33 per hour\u2014making 24-hour care come to $5,544 per week or $22,176 per month.<\/span><\/p>\n

In-home care services might be covered in full or in part by a state\u2019s standard <\/span>Medicaid<\/span><\/a> plan, as well as through Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS), HCBS waivers, or Section 1115 demonstration waivers.<\/span><\/p>\n

Medicare<\/span><\/a> generally covers medically necessary care, but this will require an in-person assessment by a healthcare provider, and Medicare typically does not cover chronic care needs indefinitely. If the care is deemed unnecessary, you may have to cover the costs yourself.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Many private insurance companies and long-term care insurance policies offer coverage for skilled medical care or personal care. Whether care is covered depends on its medical necessity and the criteria set in your plan. Be sure to contact your insurance provider for specific details and check if pre-approval or an \u201celimination period\u201d is required.<\/span><\/p>\n

Where to look for potential caregivers<\/span><\/h2>\n

Once you\u2019ve taken your care recipient\u2019s needs into account, it\u2019s time for the search to begin. Some options to explore include the following.<\/span><\/p>\n

Family and friends<\/span><\/h3>\n

For the most cost-effective and personal approach, start by considering your own family and friends, especially if your care recipient\u2019s needs are minimal. A friend or family member might be willing to step in and help with small tasks, like household chores or the occasional social visit.<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s worth noting that this doesn\u2019t have to be unpaid work. Some government programs <\/span>offer compensation<\/span><\/a> for family and friends who step into caregiving roles.<\/span><\/p>\n

Local community resources<\/span><\/h3>\n

Consider looking within your community to find a caregiver with a personal connection to the recipient. Some<\/span> churches offer caregiving services, plus local Facebook groups and community centers are great places to network. You\u2019ll need to vet candidates yourself, but this may be a cost-effective alternative to larger agencies.<\/span><\/p>\n

Professional caregiving services<\/span><\/h3>\n

If you\u2019re hoping to hire someone with a little more experience, a professional caregiving service may be a good option. Agencies like<\/span> HomeInstead<\/span><\/a> provide trained caregivers for aging adults or individuals with chronic conditions. Although this may be more expensive than finding a caregiver on your own, the convenience this offers might justify the additional costs. Some of those conveniences may include:<\/span><\/p>\n