Living Transitions

Arranging help for your care at home

If you plan to age at home, at some point you will likely need people to help care for you. For many, family members will provide care. If the task of caring for you is too big for family members, you will need outside help.

Relying on family members

Too often, care of an elder defaults to the closest family member. To prevent family fights or resentment, it is good to spell out in advance who will be responsible for providing care, what their responsibilities will be, and what financial consideration will be provided for their time.

Create a written agreement outlining the help your family will provide. It is best to pay a family member for help during your life, but if this is not possible, try to repay them for their time and effort by providing extra resources after you die. This can be done through your estate planning documents or by making them a beneficiary of life insurance or your retirement plans.

Hiring outside help

You can hire help directly or through an agency. There are pros and cons with either approach. An agency takes care of the logistics and makes certain the rules are followed for home care employees. This service makes using an agency more expensive but may prevent hassle for the person responsible for arranging your care. One drawback is you may get a variety of providers when one consistent person may be a better fit.

AARP provides a great resource on how to hire a home care worker directly and a guideline to finding a home care agency . You can also visit the Eldercare Locator from the Department of Health and Human Services to find resources in your area.