When is it Time for You to Consider Non-Medical Home Care?

One dilemma often faced by families is deciding when elderly parents require the help of senior caregivers. It can be easy to miss the signs that your parents are struggling to cope with daily living. Of course, nobody enjoys being told that they are incapable of caring for themselves. Furthermore, many seniors are reluctant to request assistance, out of concern they will be taken from their homes.

Grown children should involve their parents in the decision to use a senior care franchise. This way, the parents will feel in control rather than powerless. Fortunately elderly people can still live independent, active lives at home, with the help of a home care professional. These compassionate workers provide the one to one assistance that allows favorite activities and essential tasks to be completed easily.

So, how do you know when it’s time to consider in-home care? There are numerous warning signs to be aware of that suggest your parents may need a senior caregiver. These include a decline in personal cleanliness, such as body odor, fewer showers, and a more unkempt physical appearance. Also, if your parents are ill, they might not be eating properly. Check their fridge for junk food, or food past the sell by date. They might have an empty fridge as well, or experience unexpected weight gain or weight loss. Booking an appointment with your parent’s doctor is recommended, if you notice any of the above signs.

As we get older, completing household chores often becomes more of a challenge. If your parent’s house starts to look untidy, or smells unclean, it may indicate that they require a bit of help. Also, many people have to manage their time carefully, to pay bills, keep appointments, open mail and pursue hobbies etc. If your parents are struggling to get everything done, this could be cause for concern. Moreover, if your elderly loved ones have been recently diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, a home care franchise can be particularly helpful. These agencies specialize in caring for those suffering from various forms of dementia.

Professional care for seniors provides real hope to older people who need a little help with their daily lives. Often, with this kind of non-medical assistance, seniors can retain their independence and enjoy life to the fullest. Obviously, this is the type of thing you can't put a price on, although thankfully in most situations in-home care is a very affordable option when compared with the alternatives.

5 Helpful Tips for Hiring In-Home Caregivers

When running a senior care franchise, one immediate challenge you will face is the need to hire staff. Throughout the first phase of your venture, you will probably end up completing a whole range of tasks, until your business takes off. Ultimately however, you will have to hire staff, because you only have one set of hands. Here is some proven advice on how to recruit the most suitable employees for your senior care franchise.

Plan Your Strategy Correctly

All good entrepreneurs realize that success is normally achieved only when an effective plan is in place. This certainly applies to recruiting caregivers for your company. Prior to the recruitment process, decide how you will choose the people you work with. You should research salary and benefits packages, because this will attract better quality applicants. You could also use an incentive program, because this will improve your staff retention rate immeasurably.

Know the Needs of Seniors

Take the time to learn what your customers need and want, with regards to their care. Listen to what they ask for. Note the types of personalities they react well to. Be aware of the particular challenges faced by your group of seniors. By evaluating and comprehending the unique requirements of your customers, you can recruit caregivers who are best qualified to satisfy those requirements.

Get as Much Exposure as Possible

Although you will save money and time by restricting your marketing and hiring efforts, you will only sabotage your home care franchise over the long term. Find out where best to hunt for new recruits, and exploit these marketing avenues as much as possible. Don't forget that you should use both conventional media platforms (such as employment publications and newspapers), as well as more modern methods (online job boards, forums and social media, etc). This way, you will be found by a large number of high caliber candidates.

Prepare for Interviews the Right Way

Decide what questions to ask, and be ready to respond to the applicant's questions about your company with confidence and an abundance of knowledge. However, do not spend the whole interview looking down at your notes, because it is important to maintain eye contact and engage with candidates directly. By doing this, you can judge whether they have the necessary people skills to add value to your organization. Take heed of the above advice, and you will be well on your way to finding the top talent, who can take your business to the next level.