Many of us will choose to step up and take on the role of care provider when a loved one is in need. Afterall, no one knows them and their needs better than those closest to them, right? Yet, it is important to recognize when professional assistance is needed to protect your loved one’s mental, physical, and emotional health.
Bringing in a professional in-home caregiver to assist both you and your loved one may seem a bit nerve-wrecking. Knowing what, where, and how to identify the appropriate in-home caregiver can be a daunting task. However, we are here to provide you with an outline. Following these steps can make choosing the right in-home care agency to work with a little more manageable.
Bringing in a professional in-home caregiver to assist both you and your loved one may seem a bit nerve-wrecking. Knowing what, where, and how to identify the appropriate in-home caregiver can be a daunting task. However, we are here to provide you with an outline. Following these steps can make choosing the right in-home care agency to work with a little more manageable.
Assess Your Needs
Home care providers can assist with activities ranging from companionship to more specific personal care needs such as medication reminders and daily hygiene upkeep. By prioritizing what’s best, it is important that you understand the level of care your loved one requires using questions like these as a guide: Is cost an important factor? Does diversity (cultural etc.) matter? Is quality of care of importance to you and your loved one? Having an understanding of your care needs will make researching and getting answers to your questions a lot easier.
Do Your Research
Once you have identified your primary needs, it is time to begin researching. You can ask for references from friends, or healthcare providers or use the internet. Chances are a healthcare provider will have a list of agencies they refer patients to or recommend. Testimonies and online reviews can also be informative. Compile a short list of the agencies that you would like to contact to discuss their services. If one or more of the agencies you have on your list matches one that was suggested to you, this may be an agency worth speaking with.
Contact Agencies
Once you have curated a list of the agencies you think are a good fit for your home care needs, contact them, and set up a time to discuss your specific requirements with the management team. Some topics that we recommend you talk about during your discussion should include:
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Selection/matching process *This should be based on shared interests such as affinity for pets, puzzles, etc.
- Caregiver oversight process *Is there supervisory oversight for the plan of care provided by a registered nurse?
- Mode of payment/affordability *Does the agency only accept private pay, or do they accept insurance?
- Communication Protocol *There should be a designated point of contact between the family and the agency to streamline communication.
Focus on responsiveness, you want to be sure the agency can meet your expectations and make accommodations as needed. You can view recommended questions to ask and information to seek out during phone and in person interviews in our Home Care Planning Guide.
Choosing the right home care agency for your loved one can be daunting and we want to make sure you are prepared when the time comes to make an informed decision by using these pointers as a guide. For more information regarding the services Brightstar Care of City Center provides, visit our website or contact us today.