Your Dad has Alzheimer’s.
You’ve got everything set with a caregiver, so you can head to a business meeting tomorrow. Only your caregiver calls to say he or she can’t make it…
When caregivers cancel, it can leave you in a bind, but there is help. Hang onto this list of agencies that offer assistance to people in this predicament.
The prices vary depending on the specific level of care your charge needs, and you may need to give the agency some background information before getting a quote for an hourly rate, but there are trained professionals who can provide the services you and your Alzheimer’s patient need.
Start with these…
Home Instead Senior Care; homeinstead.com; (800) 640-3914
Alzheimer’s-trained caregivers are available for a few hours and overnight stays. Services include providing meals, stimulating activities and encouraging social interaction. Use your postal or zip code to access a list of available care providers in your area.
Where are they? North America wide (the database turns up local offices).
How much? Prices vary.
Nurse Next Door; nursenextdoor.com; (877) 588-8609
This Vancouver-based franchised company offers services such as medication management, personal hygiene care and meal preparation. There are three levels of in-home service: “Taking Care,” “Enriched Care” and “Vital Care.” Caregivers are interviewed, insured and bonded, with background checks.
Where are they? Eighty-five locations, including British Columbia, Ontario, Alberta, Delaware, Illinois and California.
How much? Prices vary.
Right at Home Canada; rightathomecanada.com; (855) 983-4663
Alzheimer’s-trained care workers offer tasks such as helping with daily routines (like dressing and eating) to offering activities (like games that your loved one can manage). Nurse care managers are also available, and bring an extra level of medical expertise. Right At Home is an American franchise operation that recently expanded into Canada. All caregivers are screened with criminal history background checks and are covered with general liability and workers’ compensation insurance.
Where are they? Ontario and Alberta. Other locations include the United States, the U.K., Ireland and Brazil. Visit rightathome.net for more on those locations.
How much? Rates start at $26/hour. A minimum number of hours may be required.
Advanced Senior Care Services; advancedseniorcare.com; (800) 893-1996
These caregivers, including certified nursing assistants and home health aids, provide multiple services for those with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Caregivers are screened, licensed, insured and bonded.
Where are they? Virginia, Washington DC, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Vermont, New Jersey, New York and Connecticut
How much? Prices vary.
Special Touch Home Care Services Inc.; (855) 21-VISIT (84748); specialtouchhomecare.com
Multilingual caregivers provide a variety of services for those with Alzheimer’s or dementia, including personal care, companionship, treatment such as catheter removal, blood pressure checks and medication reminders, if needed.
Where are they? New York
How much? Prices vary.
Care.com (877) 227-3115
This online matching platform is for caregivers of all kinds: seniors is a growing category. Free memberships get you limited access to profiles; the address you include in your free registration will generate a list of caregivers working in that area, along with their contact information, relevant experience and hourly rates.
You can also post a job listing and wait for candidates to “apply.” Consider a posting that says “looking for occasional help tending to the personal care needs of an 80-year-old man in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease,” or whatever is relevant. Then you can vet the applicants and keep their numbers on speed dial.
Profiles aren’t verified, so interview your candidates thoroughly. Profile candidates don’t necessarily have experience with Alzheimer’s patients, but will list their areas of expertise and years of experience.
Paid registration to care.com will increase your options of caregivers.
Where are they? Sixteen countries, including United States, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Germany, Belgium
How much? Rates vary greatly, between $10/hour and $25/hour.
Astrid Van Den Broek is a Toronto-based reporter