A live-in aide provides personal care to an elderly or disabled tenant in their own home, offering them a viable alternative to assisted living or nursing homes.
Tenants may select friends, family members and healthcare workers as their aides as long as they meet HUD requirements. Unfortunately, this task may not always be straightforward.
Requirements for a Live-In Aide
A live-in aide is an individual who lives with a disabled or elderly person and provides them with supportive services necessary for their care. The aide must be an independent individual, not dependent on the client.
Family members can serve as live-in aides if they meet all HUD requirements. Unfortunately, adult children of disabled or elderly tenants are not permitted to live in housing units unless they can fulfill the duties of a live-in aide.
A disabled Section 8 resident requested his wife be considered as a live-in aide. Unfortunately, management denied his request due to HUD regulations stating she could not qualify as such an aid.
Assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
There are certain daily tasks that everyone must complete, such as getting out of bed, brushing their teeth, taking a shower and eating. These essential chores help us lead a healthy lifestyle and achieve independence later in life.
When someone begins to have difficulty with these activities of daily living (ADLs), family or friends may need to provide assistance. If you believe your loved one may have a disability or impairment, speak with their doctor about any changes in abilities they are noticing.
The initial step is to assess their capacity for performing basic ADLs, such as walking, dressing and personal hygiene. You can use the Barthel Index to estimate each activity’s difficulty level.
Personal Care
Personal care encompasses the physical, psychological and emotional wellbeing of the patient. This includes toileting, bathing and grooming the patient; helping with eating/drinking, dressing for work or leisure activities; as well as mobility needs like getting around.
Home Health Aides and Personal Care Aides provide personal assistance to elderly or disabled individuals with limited or no independence, as well as those recovering from medical conditions. This care may be temporary or permanent in nature and essential for the individual’s physical and psychological wellbeing.
In certain circumstances, a live-in aide may be required to sleep at the client’s residence. This can be accomplished by placing them in their own bedroom; however, it must be made clear that they won’t be available 24/7 for assistance.
Transportation
One of the greatest joys of being a live-in aide is having the chance to visit friends and family in your free moments. This may involve going for coffee at a nearby coffee shop, taking a quick jog around the block, or even going away with the kids for a weekend. But there may be situations where it may not be easy; thankfully most senior housing providers have social workers available who will gladly assist in making the most out of your free time. To maximize this arrangement effectively, research what clients and their caregivers expect from you before beginning any such arrangement.
Meal Preparation
Maintaining seniors’ wellbeing and appearance often involves providing them with nutritious meals that meet their dietary requirements. Unfortunately, cooking can be time-consuming and challenging for those with physical or cognitive limitations.
Caregivers can assist their loved ones by shopping and preparing nutritious foods they will enjoy. Examples include salmon, shrimp, pasta, fresh greens and black beans – all nutritious choices that will help seniors maintain a balanced diet while leaving them feeling full.
Light Housekeeping
A live-in aid may need to perform light housekeeping duties to keep the home tidy and organized. This could include tidying up after meals, sweeping and vacuuming floors, emptying trash cans, replenishing fridges with perishable items and organizing cupboards and drawers.
Light housekeeping is an integral part of senior in-home care, helping to prevent trips and falls and keep the home tidy. Furthermore, light housekeeping reduces the risk of food poisoning and other health problems by keeping surfaces free of dirt.