It’s the little things that take in-home care from good to great. A game of cards on the back deck. Fresh air on a walk around the block. Special outings to enjoy Alberta’s scenic views. Moments like these create opportunities for seniors to connect, stay sharp and incorporate a little bit of happy variety into the day.
Incorporating these elements into in-home care can help seniors at any age or stage. By 2051, one in five Albertans will be a senior, making it essential for families to plan ahead for caregiving needs and establish a shared vision for what good looks like. At TheKey Calgary, we encourage folks to ask five questions as part of that process:
- How do we pick the right care solution? It takes a special kind of person to provide gold-standard care at home. When we hire, we think beyond the basics, get to know our caregivers and ensure they’re as passionate about providing personalized care as we are. Explains Chuck Terlesky, General Manager, TheKey Calgary: “Caregiver fit is so important. When we hire, we look for people who will think holistically about what a good day looks like for a senior at home. Then, we’re thoughtful about matching caregivers and clients based on personal needs, interests and priorities.”
- Why is balanced care so important? Great caregiving doesn’t happen by chance. “The feedback we get from clients’ families tells us that our Balanced Care MethodTM approach to caregiving sets us apart in Alberta,” explains Terlesky. “Our caregivers support a senior’s healthy mind, body and spirit. Through ongoing training, we make sure everyone who works within our caregiving teams understand what’s required, and has the skills to create those factors for seniors.”
- How much care is enough care? In Canada, older people want to have choices about their living arrangements. That includes aging in place, where many seniors believe they’ll be able to maintain social connections and continue feeling a sense of community and social belonging. Our caregivers help families balance that goal. Our services are flexible. We offer personal, companion, dementia or other forms of care for just a few hours or 24/7. Says Terlesky: “Behind every caregiver is a full-time Care Team. That’s how we provide oversight and guidance to caregivers, and support you and your family at the very same time.”
- How will we manage a caregiver on top of so many other responsibilities? Hiring a caregiver independently can be hard. By taking on the management piece for families in Calgary and beyond, we make it easier for seniors to get the quality care they need and deserve. At TheKey, we hire caregivers as employees — not contractors. Our team is vetted, trained and well-supported by us, so families can focus on enjoying time together instead of administration. We build a care plan around clients’ individual needs, accounting for the tasks that must get done as well as the little touches that make life enjoyable. Then, we keep families posted along the way.
- What kind of support and funding is available to us? Many families we work with are eligible for the Alberta Paid Client-Directed Home Care benefit. These programs can offer basic coverage at no out-of-pocket costs, and premium coverage at significantly reduced rates. At TheKey, we help families demystify benefits and tailor in-home caregiving to exact needs. As an approved provider of the Client Directed Home Care Invoicing Program, families can now use funds to heavily subsidize the care a loved one needs to remain safe, comfortable and happy in their own home as they age.
Considering in-home dementia care or have questions about the types of support we offer? Our specialists are here to help determine the best plan to meet your parent’s or loved one’s needs. Contact TheKey today to get started.