How to Get Help at Home for Aging Parents: A Complete Guide for Families

By admin | April 29, 2025 | Comments Off on How to Get Help at Home for Aging Parents: A Complete Guide for Families

Senior Care Services, Glen Cove, NY

As our parents age, many adult children find themselves navigating unfamiliar territory — juggling their own busy lives while trying to ensure Mom or Dad gets the care and support they need to stay safe, healthy, and happy at home.

If you’re starting to wonder whether your aging parent needs help at home, you’re not alone. Thousands of families each month search for answers, asking:

  • How can I tell if my parent needs home care?

  • What types of help are available?

  • How do I find trustworthy caregivers?

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know — and where to find the right resources — to make confident decisions for your loved one.

Signs Your Parent May Need Help at Home

Recognizing when your parent needs extra support is the first step. Some common signs include:

  • Forgetfulness that puts them at risk (e.g., leaving the stove on)

  • Frequent falls or balance issues

  • Difficulty managing medications or appointments

  • Poor personal hygiene or neglect of household chores

  • Withdrawal from social activities

  • Unexplained weight loss or malnutrition

If you’re noticing these warning signs, it might be time to explore options for in-home caregiver support.

Types of In-Home Care Services Available

In-home care isn’t one-size-fits-all. There are different levels of support depending on your parent’s needs:

  • Companion Care: Help with errands, transportation, socialization, light housekeeping, and meal preparation. Ideal for seniors who are mostly independent but need a little help.

  • Personal Care: Assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as bathing, dressing, toileting, grooming, and mobility support.

  • Dementia Care: Specialized caregivers trained to manage memory loss behaviors and provide cognitive stimulation for conditions like Alzheimer’s disease.

  • Overnight or Live-In Care: For seniors who need supervision or assistance around the clock.

At Family First Home Companions, we customize care plans based on the unique needs of each client and family. Whether your parent needs a few hours of help each week or 24/7 care at home, we’re here to support you.

How to Talk to Your Parent About Getting Help

Bringing up the idea of home care can be tricky. Many seniors fear losing independence. Here are a few tips:

  • Start early: Begin the conversation before a crisis occurs.

  • Focus on goals: Emphasize how home care can help them stay independent longer.

  • Offer choices: Involve them in selecting the caregiver or determining the schedule.

  • Use examples: Mention friends or neighbors who have caregivers and are thriving.

You might frame it like this:

“I want you to have the support you deserve so you can keep enjoying your home and hobbies.”

Our caregivers through CareMatch Plus are hand-selected to ensure the best possible fit for your loved one’s personality and needs.

Paying for Home Care: What Are Your Options?

Many families worry about the cost of in-home care. Fortunately, there are multiple ways to fund services:

  • Private Pay: Using savings, income, or family contributions.

  • Long-Term Care Insurance: Policies often cover home care services.

  • Veterans Benefits: Aid and Attendance benefits can provide financial help for qualifying veterans and spouses.

  • Medicaid Programs: Some state programs offer home care assistance for low-income seniors.

We recommend starting with a consultation to determine the right level of care and exploring your financing options.

Pro tip: Always ask providers if they offer free assessments — Family First Home Companions does!

Questions to Ask When Choosing a Home Care Agency

Not all agencies are created equal. When interviewing potential home care providers, ask:

  • Are your caregivers insured, bonded, and background-checked?

  • How do you match caregivers to clients?

  • What training do caregivers receive?

  • How do you monitor the quality of care?

  • Can services be adjusted if needs change?

  • What happens if a caregiver is sick or unavailable?

At Family First Home Companions, all our caregivers undergo thorough screening, receive ongoing training, and are supervised by a team dedicated to ensuring top-quality care.

Additional Resources for Families

Here are some helpful links to support you through the process:

Why In-Home Care is Often the Best Option

Many seniors express a strong preference to age in place — staying in their own homes where they feel comfortable, safe, and independent. In-home care supports this goal by providing:

With compassionate, professional help, older adults can truly thrive at home — living life on their own terms with dignity.

Ready to Get Started?

Finding the right help for your aging parent doesn’t have to be overwhelming. At Family First Home Companions, we’re here to walk beside you every step of the way — from the first conversation to building a customized plan of care.

Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about how we can support your family!
📞 Contact Family First Home Companions

At Family First Home Companions of Long Island, NY our mission is to provide an outstanding home care service that is professional and personalized.  We diligently hire attentive, qualified staff to meet each client’s unique needs and do so with compassion and integrity.  It is an honor and a privilege to help seniors at home to maintain their independence and quality of life in Long Island, NY.  If you or a senior loved one needs help with daily activities such as, meal preparation, household chores, errands, transportation, guidance and supervision for safety at home, please call Family First Home Companions at 631-319-3961.

Areas We Serve

We proudly serve seniors at home in Albertson, Amityville, Babylon, Baldwin, Bayport, Bay Shore, Bayville, Bellerose Terrace, Bellmore, Bellport, Bethpage, Blue Point, Bohemia, Brentwood, Brightwaters, Brookhaven, Brookville, Calverton, Carle Place, Cedarhurst, Center Moriches, Centereach, Centerport, Central Islip, Cold Spring Harbor, Commack, Copiague, Coram, Deer Park, Dix Hills, East Islip, East Marion, East Meadow, East Moriches, East Northport, East Norwich, East Patchogue, East Quogue, East Rockaway, East Setauket, Eastport, Elmont, Elwood, Farmingdale, Farmingville, Floral Park, Franklin Square, Freeport,  Garden City, Glen Head Glenwood Landing,  Great Neck, Great River, Greenlawn, Greenvale, Hampton Bays, Hauppauge, Hempstead, Hewlett, Hicksville, Holbrook, Holtsville, Huntington, Huntington Station, Inwood,  Island Park, Islandia, Islip, Islip Terrace, Jamesport, Jericho, Kings Park, Kings Point, Lake Grove, Lawrence, Levittown, Lindenhurst, Lloyd Harbor, Locust Valley, Lynbrook, Malverne, Manhasset, Manorville, Massapequa, Massapequa Park, Mastic, Mastic Beach, Medford, Melville, Merrick, Middle Island, Mill Neck, Miller Place, Mineola, Moriches, Mount Sinai, Nesconset, New Hyde Park, North Amityville, North Babylon, North Lynbrook, North New Hyde Park, North Patchogue, North Valley Stream, North Woodmere,  Northport, Oakdale, Oceanside, Old Bethpage, Old Westbury, Oyster Bay, Patchogue,  Plainview, Port Jefferson, Port Jefferson Station, Port Washington, Quogue, , Ridge, Riverhead, Rockville Centre, Rocky Point, Ronkonkoma, Roosevelt, Roslyn,  Roslyn Heights, Saint James, Sands Point, Sayville, Sea Cliff, Seaford, Selden, Shirley, Shoreham, Smithtown, Sound Beach, South Hempstead, Southampton, Stony Brook, Syosset, Uniondale, Upton, Valley Stream, Wading River, Wantagh, West Babylon, West Hempstead, West Islip, West Sayville, Westbury, Westhampton, Westhampton Beach, Williston Park, Woodbury, Woodmere, Wyandanch, Yaphank

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