Everything You Need to Know About Sitter Agencies
As the primary caregiver for an aging or disabled individual, it can be challenging to maintain a healthy balance in your life. Many times, family members feel guilty about working with a professional to provide care services for their loved ones.
However, in most cases, working with an in-home healthcare professional from a sitter agency is the best way to care for your loved one in the comfort of their own home.
What services do sitter agencies provide? Sitter agencies provide a wide variety of in-home healthcare services including personal hygiene assistance, meal preparation and planning, light housekeeping, companionship, overnight care, errand running, exercise assistance, and so much more.
Many sitter agencies also have registered nurses on staff, allowing them to offer several skilled nursing services.
The professional care provided through a sitter agency can help you as you work to protect the physical, mental, and emotional health of your aging or disabled family member.
The benefits of working with a professional sitter agency are countless. However, in this article, we will look at just a few of the ways this partnership can benefit both you and your loved one.
Finding care for your aging parents or disabled family member is no simple task. Especially in a situation where the caregiver will be spending time in your home, you must be able to trust them completely. While there are many options available for in-home care, we believe that working with a sitter agency is often the most beneficial.
What is a Sitter Agency?
An adult sitter agency works to connect family members of aging or disabled individuals with qualified and trained in-home caregivers.
While sitter agencies vary slightly in the services they provide, most sitter agencies offer a wide variety of services that protect the mental, physical, and emotional health of their clients.
Although you can find in-home caregivers who do not work for a sitter agency, this often involves a higher level of risk.
A sitter agency provides continued training and education, holding each of its sitters to a high standard. Additionally, caregivers that work with an adult sitter agency are licensed and insured through the agency. This provides a higher level of protection should an accident occur on your property.
Sitter agencies are quite selective in who they hire. Because of this, you can have confidence in knowing that your loved one’s caregiver has passed several background checks verifying their career experience and legitimacy.
By working with a sitter agency, you can provide your loved one with access to the high-quality in-home healthcare services they deserve.
Adult Sitter Agency Services
Each sitter agency varies a bit in the services they provide. However, there are some general services that you can expect from your local sitter agency.
The best sitter agencies will conduct a thorough assessment of your loved one’s abilities and desires at the onset of their service. In doing so, they can provide a customized care plan to best meet their needs.
Personal Care Services
Personal care tasks are perhaps the most popular service provided by adult sitter agencies. Things such as personal care and hygiene are often the first to suffer when an individual is experiencing a shift in their abilities. However, for physical, mental, and emotional health, it is important to maintain a routine in this area.
A few of the most common personal care services offered through adult sitter agencies include the following:
- Dressing & Grooming
- Personal Hygiene
- Bathing Assistance
- Meal Preparation
- Restroom Assistance
- Walking & Exercise Assistance
- Regular Vital Signs
- Medication Reminders
- Hospice Assistance
It is important to note that although your loved one may struggle with personal care tasks one week, they may be able to safely complete these tasks the next week.
It is best to find an adult sitter agency that works to encourage independence when feasible and safe. This is especially important in areas of personal care and provides a boost in self-confidence for your loved one.
Companion & Homemaker Services
Companion and homemaker tasks are also important services provided by adult sitter agencies. Many times, individuals struggle with intense loneliness that can lead to a decline in their physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
By partnering with a professional caregiver through a sitter agency, you can ensure that your loved one is both safe and happy at all times.
In the same way, homemaking tasks are often the most frustrating responsibility for family members of aging or disabled individuals.
Unfortunately, this leads to many individuals having to move to a nursing home or assisted living facility. A sitter agency can assist in this area, allowing your loved one to remain in the safety and comfort of their own home.
A few of the most common companion and homemaker services offered through adult sitter agencies include the following:
- Light Housekeeping Tasks
- Meal Planning, Preparation, & Cooking
- Transportation for Doctor’s Appointments or Shopping
- Writing Letters
- Playing Games, Reading, & Art
- Accompanying on Walks
- Hospital Accompaniment
- Caregiver Relief
- Live-in Care
Companionship and homemaker services will help you ensure that your loved one is safe, healthy, and happy in an environment in which they will thrive.
Skilled Nursing Services
Many adult sitter agencies also hire registered nurses who can provide skilled nursing services as needed. Whether your loved one suffers from a chronic condition such as Parkinson’s Disease or they require additional assistance during a long recovery, skilled nursing services are a great way to ensure an added level of care.
Through skilled nursing services provided by a sitter agency, you can save yourself and your loved one the inconvenience of frequent trips to the clinic for simple testing or observation.
A few of the most common skilled nursing services offered through adult sitter agencies include the following:
- Vitals & Assessments
- Medication Management
- IV Therapy
- Catheter Care
- Infection Control
- Wound Care
- Lab Draws & Specimen Collection
By working with an adult sitter agency that offers a wide variety of services, you can ensure that your loved one has access to the very best care, both now and in the future.
Benefits of Partnering With an Adult Sitter Agency
There are countless benefits to partnering with an adult sitter agency, both for yourself and for your loved one.
Provides Support for Mental, Emotional, & Physical Wellbeing
A professional caregiver from an adult sitter agency will care for your loved one’s physical health. However, they will also care for their mental and emotional well-being.
You can have confidence in knowing that you are doing everything you can to provide a positive environment in which your loved one can thrive.
Prevents Caregiver Burnout
Unfortunately, many family caregivers suffer from burnout. Acting as the primary caregiver is a time-consuming and exhausting task. This is especially true if you are working outside of the home as well.
By partnering with a sitter agency, you can prevent caregiver burnout, allowing you to thoroughly enjoy the time you have to spend with your loved one.
Provides Opportunities for Growth & Independence
Regardless of the age or physical abilities of your loved one, there are always opportunities for growth and independence. By partnering with a professional caregiver, you can provide these opportunities in a safe and positive environment.
You must partner with a sitter agency that is committed to finding new and exciting ways for your loved one to contribute to society in a way that suits their current condition.
Finding the Best Sitter Agency in Broken Arrow
Finding a caregiver for your aging or disabled loved one is no small task. This process must be taken seriously. Bright Home Health is proud to be the best sitter agency in Broken Arrow.
With a wide range of services and a team of professional caregivers, they can ensure that your loved one is receiving the quality care they deserve. Contact our Broken Arrow sitter agency here for more information!