Finding Excellent Home Health Care Services

If you or your loved one is in need of in-home care, you may be wondering how to go about finding the right person for the job. As you look for home care providers, it's a good idea to know what criteria the agency and its workers should meet. Here is a guide to help you find the right caregiver for you or your loved one.

Consistent Caregiver Access

Having a consistent caregiver can be important to some people, particularly those with dementia or who are not able to adapt to change. Ask if the same caregivers will visit consistently or if there will be a rotating team of care providers. In some cases, you may prefer to have the same one or two people come into the home every day. Be sure to ask what the contingency plan is if a caregiver is unable to come to the home, as you may be able to arrange a meeting with substitute caregivers in advance. This will help you get to know everyone coming to provide care on a routine basis.

Caregiver Credentials

There are many different types of in home senior care to choose from. This includes in-home nurses, housekeepers, nursing assistants, and therapists. Talk to your primary caregiver to determine what your needs are before looking for in-home care. If you or your loved one needs routine nursing care, you'll want to make sure that the people coming to provide care are licensed nurses. The agency should also provide background checks as an added precaution when hiring staff, so make sure you ask about the company's policy on background checks as well.

Caregiver Responsibilities

Get a clear understanding of what the caregiver's responsibilities will be when coming to the home. In-home care isn't the same as hiring a maid, so you may need to adjust your expectations before the care services begin. Some agencies provide light housekeeping and cooking, while others focus on personal needs, such as dressing and bathing. Knowing which services to expect can help you to make other arrangements for those services that are not included. For example, you may want to hire a maid service to handle day-to-day cleaning, while the home care provider may tackle nutrition and food preparation.

Caregiver Cost

The cost for in-home care can be a concern for some families. Talk to your doctor about this concern, as there may be local services that can help offset the cost. In some cases, your insurance provider may provide some coverage for the cost of in-home care, particularly if it is a cost-efficient alternative to placing you or your loved one in a nursing home. If you aren't sure about how to handle your finances while seeking the help of an in-home care provider, partner with a lawyer and an accountant to make sure you are covering all of your legal and financial bases.

Once you've found a care provider you like, work with the agency to create a schedule for daily or weekly care that meets your needs and the needs of your family.