Considerations when hiring an in-home caregiver

Taking care of a loved one who is recovering from a surgery or suffering from chronic conditions can be physically demanding and emotionally draining for the family. Oftentimes, family members have to work outside of their homes, which impedes their ability to efficiently care for the individual’s daily necessities. It is also common for family members to experience caregiver burnout and especially when he or she requires professional help for specific medical conditions, families should therefore consider hiring an in-home caregiver for their loved ones.

As one is able to receive care in the comfort of their own home, surrounded by their familiar settings, the option of hiring an in-home caregiver may aid in the individual’s physical recovery and mental wellness. Depending on the conditions of your loved one, some individuals may not require intensive care that demands them to stay in the hospital. As such, hiring an in-home caregiver can allow your loved one to maintain their independence while receiving the necessary care and support.

What you should look out for when choosing your in-home caregiver?

Choosing an in-home caregiver is not an easy task. There are many aspects for you to consider, which is why Timeliss has created a general guideline to help your decision-making process in choosing the most suitable caregiver.

Here are some questions you choose should ask yourself when choosing a caregiver:

1. What are the areas in which your loved one requires caregiving assistance?

• Does your loved one face difficulties in performing daily functional activities such as eating, bathing, dressing and using the washroom by themselves?
• Does your loved one require medical caregiving services— this will determine if you should hire a private nurse or medically trained caregiver instead of someone that focuses more on daily caregiving services.
• What are the professional qualifications that you should look out for when choosing your caregiver?
• Is your loved one living by himself or herself? How frequent does your loved one require the caregiving services— this will determine if you should engage in a part-time caregiver or someone who is able to live in your home.

2. Do you have any financial constraints that will influence your choice of caregiving services?

• Does your budget allow you to hire certified caregivers or private nurses from healthcare agencies? If not, are freelance caregivers a reliable and dependable alternative for you to consider?
• Are you looking for an interim caregiver or someone who can offer more long-term caregiving services? For the latter, it may be more economical for you to subscribe to caregiving packages for the long term.
• Who are the stakeholders that are contributing to the financial payment of your loved one’s caregiving services?
• Are there any government subsidies that can help offset the cost of your loved one’s caregiving services? In Singapore, there are some government subsidies and financial assistance available.
• Home Caregiving Grant: Eligible families may receive a monthly grant payment of $200 to defray the costs of caregiving expenses, such as the cost of caregiver support services in the community, or hiring a Foreign Domestic Worker (FDW).
• Seniors' Mobility and Enabling Fund: The SMF provides subsidies which will offset the costs of assistive devices and home healthcare items for senior citizens.
• Caregivers Training Grant (CTG): The CTG provides financial assistance for caregivers, including family members and Foreign Domestic Workers (FDW), to attend training courses which can help them to upgrade their skills to better take care of the care recipient. For every financial year, the CTG provides subsidies of up to $200 per eligible care recipient.

3. What are the preferences of your loved one?

• On the most basic level, is the caregiver able to communicate smoothly with your loved one? Are there any language or cultural barriers that may impede daily communication between them?
• Is your loved one more comfortable with a local caregiver or a foreigner?

Where can you source for these in-home caregiving services?

Currently in Singapore, there are many agencies available that provide in-home caregiving services. As they have already conducted qualification checks and trained their staff, this better ensures the quality and competence of the caregivers available, hence reducing the administrative hassle for you when choosing your needed help. Indeed, some may prefer hiring a freelance caregiver as it undercuts the administrative costs of engaging in these agencies. However, this also means that one has to be responsible in checking the professional competence of these freelancers.

Whether you engage in agencies or freelancers, you should always check for reviews from trusted sources and consult your doctors before engaging in these services.

Here are 5 agencies that provide in-home caregiving services for you to consider: