Making the choice to have a caregiver in your home is a big decision, whether it be for an aging family member, someone recovering from a medical procedure, or daily childcare. Doing your homework, planning, and putting in some thought can spare you and your loved ones from any unnecessary stress in the future. Here are a few tips, hints, and suggestions that will help you be more informed as you make your choice for home care in Columbia and Mid-Missouri. 
Please take a moment and consider what the needs of your loved ones are, and do your best to be realistic. It is easy to over simplify or even overcomplicate home care needs. If you do this right, you’ll be able to be paired with the right caregiver for your situation and needs, which makes a world of difference. 
There are many home care agencies servicing mid-Missouri, and it is vital for you to choose the best one for YOU. Focus on asking these key questions to weed out any under qualified organizations and identify the bright stars. 
As you move forward to make you choice in caregiver and agency, please consider these last few pieces of advice. We hope they will help for a smooth transition and a pleasant home care experience.
Preparation
Please take a moment and consider what the needs of your loved ones are, and do your best to be realistic. It is easy to over simplify or even overcomplicate home care needs. If you do this right, you’ll be able to be paired with the right caregiver for your situation and needs, which makes a world of difference. - What type of help do you need? Do you simply need a companion (someone to help with groceries, cooking, and assist in daily tasks and chores)? Or, do you require a more hands-on caregiver to help with everyday tasks like lifting, getting in and out of the tub, or walking?
- Do you have any language requirements, such as,a bilingual caregiver?
- Does your caregiver need specific medical training? Will you be requiring regular blood pressure or blood sugar testing? What about medicinal administration or tube, bag, or drain assistance?
- Will you require transportation? Is your caregiver expected to have their own car and use it to drive you or your loved one to appointments or other events?
- Do you want someone with specialized training for care of individuals with specific conditions like, memory loss, Dementia, Alzheimer’s, hospice care, or severe mobility issues?
Get to Know the Agency
There are many home care agencies servicing mid-Missouri, and it is vital for you to choose the best one for YOU. Focus on asking these key questions to weed out any under qualified organizations and identify the bright stars. - Do you provide insurance for accidents occurring in the home?
- Are you licensed for both medical and non-medical care?
- Do you have a process to ensure the plan of care is properly carried out?
- Do you conduct a thorough and professional assessment prior to each engagement?
- Are your employees properly vetted? (drug tested, background checks, licensed, bonded etc.)
- Do you pay your caregivers and handle all payments and tax related items?
- Will you substitute a caregiver if they are unable to perform due to an emergency?
- May I interview a caregiver before they are paired with my loved one or me?
- Do you have a guaranteed compatibility system in place to ensure a caregiver is compatible with my loved one or me?
- Can you accommodate any length of visit requested? Even one hour per day?
- Can I get a caregiver who has experience with certain conditions or illnesses?
Final Tips and Hints
As you move forward to make you choice in caregiver and agency, please consider these last few pieces of advice. We hope they will help for a smooth transition and a pleasant home care experience. - Make a weekly schedule for your caregiver to follow
- Make a list of the client’s likes and dislikes with respect to food and activities
- Always be vocal if you are ever dissatisfied with service.