Inhome caregiving allows seniors to age in place

Every time Santa Rosa resident Earl Couey walks his rescue dog, Hairy, down the narrow country lane he lives on, he thinks how lucky he is to still be living in his own home. At 85, he is nimble and fit, works in his garden, visits with his neighbors and takes his beloved pet on strolls several times a day.

Back in 1995, Couey had started thinking about assisted living facilities, as part of his life planning process. It just seemed what everybody did.

“I did not visit one until a couple of years ago, however, when I went with my children, because my friend and his wife had recently put their house up for sale and became members of a facility in Santa Rosa,” he said.

Every week or so, Couey would see the couple at various social gatherings, and the move seemed to be going very well. But it soon it became clear that the financial reality was taking its toll.

“Three months into the membership, they realized that even if they did sell their home, they would not be able afford the facility for their lifetime,” Couey said.

The couple took their home off the market, moved back and now say it was an excellent decision. And these days, Couey has been funneling his own funds into renovating his farm property to make it safer and more accessible for him — he has owned the bucolic parcel since 1963 and never wants to leave.

According to a 2017 AARP study, 90% of people age 65 and over would prefer to stay in their own homes as they get older, rather than going to a nursing home or assisted living facility.

Certainly not every senior remains mobile or healthy enough to age at home — aging in place is defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as “the ability to live in one’s own home and community safely, independently and comfortably, regardless of age, income or ability level.”

Couey is fortunate that his daughters live nearby and can help with tasks.

But with numerous inhome care options, many seniors are choosing to hire out, for services ranging from basic support, to shortterm respite care or medical assistance complete with overnight stays. Choosing inhome care can be a lifeline for busy and/ or distant family members, as

There are numerous inhome care options for seniors ranging from basic support, to shortterm respite care to overnight medical help.

well, who often help coordinate arrangements.

“It is very common for adult children to make decisions on behalf of their parents,” said FirstLight Home Care of the Peninsula General Manager/ Owner Jim Carteris. “In so many cases, the children end up taking on most of the care for their parents, so hiring a caregiver allows them to enjoy their parents for as long as possible without having to assume the huge burden.”

Carteris and his wife, Lynn, have operated their Bay Area service for more than a decade, and FirstLight and its franchises now serve San Francisco, San Mateo County, Silicon Valley, Sonoma County and the East Bay.

The programs are broad, be it as basic as light housekeeping, administering medication or driving a client to appointments and recreation. More complex options can involve full days and nights of care for people with disabilities or recovering from surgery. Some clients simply crave an hour or so of friendship each day.

“In so many cases, the clients want someone to care for them and be a companion at the same time, so caregivers are assigned to clients for longterm where

FirstLight Home Care of The Peninsula:

Homecare California:

possible,” said Carteris, adding that FirstLight caregivers can also offer cultural support, as they are hired from across the U. S., Latin America, Asia and Europe. “The best results are when the long term, strong relationship and trust is built.”

Homecare California is another agency where adult children and seniors can turn for more information. To get started, potential clients can find helpful guides such as “The 7 Key Things to Know Before Hiring InHome Care In California” booklet posted on the Homecare California website. The agency focuses on the Peninsula, South Bay, Alameda County and Contra Costa County.

One important distinction covered is the difference between a licensed, fullservice agency, a directhire private caregiver and a referral agency. Homecare California founders Greg and Lisa Hartwell delve into details like the legal and tax issues of inhome care, noting that a full service, licensed agency such as theirs guides clients though protecting their homeowners insurance and liability for caregiver injuries, caregiver paycheck tax filing and criminal background checks, and compliance with city, state and federal laws.

They also address general costs, with the booklet listing a lowend of $ 20 to $ 22 per hour for an independent caregiver secured through a referral agency, versus $ 26 to $ 32 for a licensed agency caregiver ( all reputable agencies should offer free price quotes).

Having a fullservice agency can also provide protection and reliability for its clients, FirstLight’s Carteris said.

“What if the independent caregiver gets sick, or quits, or you simply do not like them? We will send a fillin. How do you know your family is safe? We drug test and background check every caregiver with the FBI and U. S.

Department Of Justice.”

In addition, a reputable agency’s caregivers are professionally trained, with ongoing education, such as how to safely handle the current pandemic. FirstLight’s infection control practices conform to Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations, CDC guidelines, the Accreditation Commission for Health Care Standards, and state and local regulations, Carteris said.

Sometimes, the Hartwells noted, companionship can be one of the most valuable benefits of inhome care. Their caregivers provide clients with conversation and reminiscing, and participating in hobbies, recreation and comforting activities like cooking meals.

For Couey, after enjoying his rural property for the past 57 years, leaving it is not an option, and should he ever need it, he would turn to inhome care.

“I’m very happy that I came to the same decision as my friends after realizing that I, too, could use my money for doing repairs around my house, allowing me to continue living here instead of going to a facility,” he said. “My daily activities keep me from turning into a couch potato.”

Left: Licensed, fullservice agencies can provide inhome caregivers. Right: Caregivers can help seniors participate in hobbies or comforting activities like cooking meals.

PHOTOS BY SHUTTERSTOCK