The New York Times published an article today on the increasing popularity of programs where non health care providers are hired to provide care for declining loved ones. Sure, I could have helped my grandmother turn over in bed, take her medications, and made her meals and kept her company – but wouldn’t it be better if I was trained to turn, or, had some experience with medications, wound care etc?
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/01/us/01aides.html?_r=1&ref=us&oref=slogin
Many families would argue the benefit of someone staying in their home, far outweighs the benefit of having an RN on staff at the nursing home. And you know what, I agree, to a point. If you loved one needs monitoring, encouragement, help getting to and from the restroom, a non-trained companion may be just fine. At least that person will be present to witness a fall, or skin tear. At least that person will provide the one on one care to notice change in attitude, condition, mental state – fever, etc. So if you can find a reliable person you and your loved one trust, I say go for it. But you run the risk of your care-taker companion, taking off mid-day, leaving, ignoring your loved one, or worse, abusing them. So its a balancing act, but one that millions of Americans are facing. For more information, investigate the agency – call your State Dept. of Health or Social Services.