Finding a “House Call” in
the Twin Cities
by Lisa Schmidtke
Previous “House Call” columns on grocery delivery and
cleaning services might benefit an audience far beyond the disability
community. This month we’ll narrow the focus and talk about
how people with disabilities can live more independently. There are
some basic needs that must be met for a person with physical limitations
to live in his or her own home. Family members and neighbors often
help with household tasks, such as shoveling snow or picking up prescriptions.
For private needs, such as bathing and dressing, a trained professional
might be a good option. People who need help with day-to-day assistance
to meet their personal care needs should consider hiring a personal
care attendant (PCA).
Personal Care Attendants
One
day at work, I had to laugh at my co-worker’s frustration
when her ailing mother-in-law called to “tell” her to
bring her some bananas. This may seem like a simple request or a
demand in this case, but sometimes the help needed by people with
limited mobility isn’t so simple. Hygiene assistance, wound
care and medication distribution can potentially harm the recipient,
if not performed by a trained or careful person.
If you consider hiring a PCA, first determine what level of care
is needed. It might be helpful to review your needs through discussions
with involved family members. When necessary, consult your physician(s),
social worker, hospital, or nursing-home staff. Personal care attendant
services vary widely.
If you’re looking for someone to perform light housekeeping,
try HomeWatch or Comfort Keepers. For companion care and help with
household duties, contact Home Instead Senior Care. Maybe just having
someone from Visiting Angels or City Zen Concierge check on you will
provide the companionship you need. The Alzheimer’s Association
has an extensive list of specialized home companions for individuals
afflicted with the disease.
If it is important to take your vital signs or monitor your oxygen
use, make sure that these tasks are performed by a registered nurse.
In-Home Personal Care offers home health aides (HHA) and supervision
by registered nurses (RN). Some people may choose to have a live-in
PCA from A+ Home Care, while others may be comfortable with on-call
24/7 emergency help from HomeWatch Caregivers of Minnesota. In all
cases, make sure that a background check has been done on helpers
coming into your home.
Your relationship with your personal care attendant should be comfortable
and trusting. Most companies offer a free home assessment, but you
should also consider it an interview. Once you find a PCA to help
with daily activities, you may also have found a friend.
Lisa Schmidtke is the President
and Founder of House-calls Network. She can be reached by email at
lisa@housecalls-network.com or by phone at 952-221-0722. Housecalls
Network does not endorse any particular provider. They assume no
responsibility for transactions between the readers of this article
and listed organizations.
