Finding The Right Home Care Options
Whether you are in a moment of “crisis” or planning ahead, oftentimes it can be very difficult to start the process of looking for the right Home Care agency for yourself or a loved one. We have all heard our fair share of horror stories and our fair share of success stories; so, how do you ensure that your journey will be successful?
It truly starts with understanding what the needs are, such as:
- Day-to-day routines including facilitating transportation to appointments and preparation of meals to determine how many hours are needed.
- Current successes and challenges to determine what type of assistance to pursue – are medications being taken regularly and on-time; is it easy or stressful to prepare a meal, is loneliness a factor?
- Affordability and resources available
All of the above can be used to determine the type of care is that is needed whether it be skilled care, which provides medical needs or custodial care that offers assistance or help with housekeeping, shopping, meal preparation and personal care assistance such as bathing, dressing, feeding.
Types of Home Care Agencies
- Home health agencies
- Homemaker and home care aide (HCA) agencies
- Private duty agencies
- Hospice
Learn more about types of Home Care Agencies >
Commonly asked questions to find the right Home Care Agency
Much like a job interview, you must make sure that this home care solution is going to be the right fit for you and/or your loved one. Don’t be afraid to ask questions to get to know the provider, or individual, that will be providing the care and/or companionship.
- Find a care provider or companion that understands your needs or diagnosis.
- How does the agency vet their home care professionals; do they complete background checks?
- Is the agency licensed by the state?
- What type of training have the home care specialists received; are they required to keep up-to-date with new advances?
- How are the client’s care plan and progress documented? What does communication to family, etc. look like?
- How does the agency solve problems with caregivers that are not a good match; how do they handle a poor performing caregiver?
- What is the process for any emergencies or caregiver callouts?
Lastly, ask the home care agency to meet with a potential caregiver to get a feel for the fit and/or to provide you with a list of references. It is important you feel comfortable and know that you are receiving the highest quality of care in your home.
