How to Become a Home Health Provider for My Mother

More adult children are becoming caregivers for aging parents. The thought of putting your mother into a nursing home is unthinkable for some and too costly for others. The decision to care for a loved one at home should be made after thoughtful consideration. Caregivers suffer emotional stress and physical exhaustion when the parent has a lot of health problems. If you choose to become a caregiver, remember that you are just one person, and you will need breaks to keep yourself healthy as well. It is a good idea to have another family member willing to pitch in sometimes to avoid caregiver burnout.

Instructions

• 1

  Assess your mother's physical condition. Have an honest conversation with your mother's doctor about her health-care needs. You will need to know her physical limitations and what medication and treatments are needed. The doctor's nurse can train you to perform certain medical treatments. Family caregivers do not have to be certified or have any formal training. If your mother requires wound care, breathing treatments or assistance walking, the nurse can instruct you on how to perform these duties.

• 2

  Educate yourself on the financial, medical and legal aspects of home care. You will need to have an idea of the cost of acquiring equipment like a wheelchair, hospital bed and caregiving supplies. You may need to get your mother to grant you medical power of attorney. This means that if she is unable to make her own medical decisions, you can make those decisions in her place.

• 3

  Discuss the situation with your mother. Tell her about your plans, and emphasize that she will be with family members who love her. It is hard for a parent to give up their independence, and having to let someone else provide basic care is often embarrassing and demeaning. Give her as much control over her own life as possible.

• 4

  Learn some caregiving skills. Get information and tips for caregivers through books and videos. You can purchase these materials or borrow them from the library.

• 5

  Make needed modifications to the home. If your mother uses a wheelchair you may need to widen doorways and halls. A ramp can be installed for easy access in and out of the house. Handrails are easy to install in shower stalls and near toilets for safety in the bathroom. Homeowners can do many of these projects with no need for permits, but structural changes will require a contractor and building permits.

• 6

  Plan a caregiving schedule. It is easy to make time for everything when you have a schedule. Include time for fun activities to break up the boredom. Playing cards, board games and cooking together makes the time spent between you and your mother special.

• 7

  Take some time off. Caregiving is a hard job sometimes and caregivers need to take time for themselves. The best caregivers occasionally experience caregiver burnout. It is easy to put your own needs aside to care for others, but who will care for you? You must make time for yourself, and if you can afford it, hire a substitute caregiver to give you a break one or two days a week. You can also network with other family members to create a rotating schedule.