If you have a loved one, a parent for example, who is now living alone now, he or she may need help with housework. If he or she faces illness or natural weakness from age, taking care of an entire house is overwhelming, and sometimes even impossible. You might stop by as often as you can to tidy up and do some laundry, but certain processes need to be done more often, like cooking and cleaning areas that need to be clean for safety, including the kitchen and bathroom. You could hire a housekeeper, who would would take care of all of this and would come as often you and your parent decide on. But, if your parent is older or is ill, there is another aspect of worry in leaving him or her alone besides just wondering if his or her house is clean. Rather than hiring a housekeeper, a caregiver from an agency like Right At Home in Tacoma, Washington, run by president Dale Anderson, would be the right choice for a combination of housework and medical attention/preparation.
Agencies like Right At Home staff different levels of caregivers for different levels of need, but all are trained and certified to offer medical assistance. While Right At Home keeps licensed practical nurses and registered nurses on hand for more medical care that requires expertise and more advanced ability, it also staffs certified nursing assistants, or CNAs, who would handle more basic, non-skilled care like this housework service. However, they are thoroughly trained by Right At Home to be certified to handle different medical emergencies.
This is a huge and valuable difference from an average housekeeper, who, let’s face it, wouldn’t know what to do if your mom or dad started having trouble breathing or began to experience tremors. A CNA would. While they are not nurses, they know how to keep your loved one safe at all times, and who to call immediately when something extends past their own capabilities – all in addition to performing the housework your parent needs done. Furthermore, on top of the training that an agency like Right At Home would offer, certain states like Washington offer something called the Nurse Delegation Program, which allows CNAs to be certified to perform certain tasks a registered nurse might perform – but under a registered nurse’s direction.
A CNA offers the same benefits and services as a housekeeper. Services include vacuuming, mopping, sweeping, dusting, tidying up, laundry, grocery shopping, cooking, washing dishes, cleaning the kitchen and bathroom, making beds and changing sheet, and other services that you may decide. Also like a housekeeper or maid, a CNA can offer a flexible schedule, from once a week all the way to live-in. However, a CNA offers care your housekeeper just can’t. A CNA can add personal care services to his housework. He can help your parent with errands, spend time with your parent and offer his company. And most importantly, he knows what to do to keep your parent safe and healthy. He can help your parent remember when to take his medication, and help him or get around the house, as well.
When it comes to a family member who is ill, elderly, or both, a housekeeper just isn’t enough. If you are having someone come into the home every week or everyday, it should be someone who can actually offer care, experience, and expertise for not just the house, but your loved one.
