The agency should be able to give information on the training of staff and how the background and references of staffers is checked. Some agencies simply act as brokers in connecting the consumer with a service provider and do not take responsibility after the connection is made. Most people with Alzheimer's disease are cared for at home by their families for the major part of their illness. If care is to continue at home, it is necessary for the caregiver to get a regular break from the daily demands imposed by the disease. The person with the disease also benefits indirectly by having a caregiver who is routinely refreshed.
Caregivers initially turn to their families and friends for respite.
However, this informal network of helpers may prove insufficient over time, so outside resources such as adult day care and in-home care may be needed. Subsidies may be available for those with low incomes and assets through state funded programs or the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Although financial cost is an important consideration, distrust of strangers and worry about the quality of care are the most common barriers to using in-home services. Prepare a schedule with the days and hours needed in a given week. Home care agencies usually require a minimum of four hours per day.