Many Americans regard Memorial Day Weekend as the unofficial start of summer. And some families also view seasonal transitions as an opportunity to make lifestyle changes that improve quality of life. Securing professional caregiver services is one such consideration that is becoming front-and-center for many folks as life resumes from COVID-19 lockdowns. And in-home care can be especially beneficial for those in the “sandwich generation” (adults who care for both aging parents and their own children).
As the country celebrates Memorial Day and the approach of summer, here are 5 critical questions anyone seeking Marina del Rey home care services should ask prospective agencies.
1) Do you provide a free start-of care-assessment, and who leads that?
Most caregiver companies provide some sort of “assessment” or “evaluation” prior to start of care. These are usually complimentary and are critical to ensuring great quality of care. However, families should know many home care agencies in Santa Monica and the nearby regions delegate these crucial activities to non-licensed, non-clinical “representatives.”
It’s important to ask prospective home care agencies who will be leading the start-of-care assessment/evaluation. If the company says, “a manager” or “a representative,” then the caller should ask about the medical licensing and background of that person. Ultimately, an office worker’s patient evaluation will never be as thorough or accurate as one conducted by a registered nurse (RN). It’s worth noting BrightStar Care of Marina del Rey has a Director of Nursing (Registered Nurse) who leads all start-of-care assessments.
2) Do you include ongoing “care management,” and what does that look like?
Most home care agencies in Santa Monica, Marina del Rey, Brentwood, Pacific Palisades, and the nearby communities conduct some level of management oversight. However, the folks leading it are typically non-clinical representatives that lack nursing licenses or other medical credentials. In fact, many home care agencies do not even have one licensed nurse or doctor in their entire staff!
True care management should be conducted by a licensed nurse, case manager, doctor, or similar medical professional. These experts will periodically reassess clients in their homes to adjust care plans and monitor changing health conditions. They will also check vital signs to compare them with baseline readings taken at the initial start-of-care assessment. BrightStar Care of Marina del Rey, for example, has a Director of Nursing (Registered Nurse) who provides complimentary care management for every client.
3) What resources do you have if my loved one needs care beyond the scope of non-medical caregivers?
Home care agencies in Marina del Rey, Santa Monica, Brentwood, and the nearby areas typically provide “non-medical” caregivers who serve as highly-valuable professionals. However, they are not usually licensed nurses. So, their scope of care, legally and practically, is limited.
In many situations, these non-medical aides can complete all necessary duties. But in some situations, they are not up to the task. Agencies that lack licensed, skilled nurses (RNs and LVNs) are not equipped to help with more complex care needs.
Fortunately, BrightStar Care of Marina del Rey is one of the few home care companies that can address all home-based nursing needs. In addition to providing non-medical caregivers (like other agencies), BrightStar Care also has licensed nurses that can assist with medical duties, including:
Naturally, most companies sing their own praises when highlighting services on websites or during meetings with prospective clients. But third-party accountability fortifies such claims. Online reviews, including those from Google, can be a great starting point for vetting caregiver companies. But there are other ways as well.
For example, Home Care Pulse is a third-party firm that surveys the clients and staff of home care agencies. They interview folks to get objective feedback on these companies, which opt-in. However, Home Care Pulse survey services are completely voluntary. So, many caregiver companies do not participate.
Families are wise to prioritize home care agencies that can reference Home Care Pulse or similar third-party survey results. And BrightStar Care of Marina del Rey has been honored with the Home Care Pulse “Best of Home Care – Leader in Excellence” award for three years running!
5) How do you ensure caregiver and nurse reliability?
Home care clients’ top complaints often center on issues of poor caregiver or nurse reliability. After all, these services are sensitive and essential to the well-being of many vulnerable seniors. So, a caregiver’s missed shift is far more consequential than that of a housekeeper or other domestic worker.
Families should always ask specific questions on how agencies promote staff reliability. Here are two great starters:
Final Take-Aways
Summer is a busy season for most families, and this year is shaping up to be particularly active. Children are returning to in-class schooling, parents are back at work, and many families are scheduling long-overdue vacations. With Memorial Day as the unofficial start of summer, now’s a good time to explore home care services for vulnerable loved ones. And folks who remember to ask prospective agencies key vetting questions will ensure they secure the best possible care!
If you’re seeking professional home care for a vulnerable loved one in Santa Monica, Brentwood, Pacific Palisades, or any of the Westside areas, be sure to contact BrightStar Care of Marina del Rey today for a free nurse assessment!
As the country celebrates Memorial Day and the approach of summer, here are 5 critical questions anyone seeking Marina del Rey home care services should ask prospective agencies.
1) Do you provide a free start-of care-assessment, and who leads that?
Most caregiver companies provide some sort of “assessment” or “evaluation” prior to start of care. These are usually complimentary and are critical to ensuring great quality of care. However, families should know many home care agencies in Santa Monica and the nearby regions delegate these crucial activities to non-licensed, non-clinical “representatives.”
It’s important to ask prospective home care agencies who will be leading the start-of-care assessment/evaluation. If the company says, “a manager” or “a representative,” then the caller should ask about the medical licensing and background of that person. Ultimately, an office worker’s patient evaluation will never be as thorough or accurate as one conducted by a registered nurse (RN). It’s worth noting BrightStar Care of Marina del Rey has a Director of Nursing (Registered Nurse) who leads all start-of-care assessments.
2) Do you include ongoing “care management,” and what does that look like?
Most home care agencies in Santa Monica, Marina del Rey, Brentwood, Pacific Palisades, and the nearby communities conduct some level of management oversight. However, the folks leading it are typically non-clinical representatives that lack nursing licenses or other medical credentials. In fact, many home care agencies do not even have one licensed nurse or doctor in their entire staff!
True care management should be conducted by a licensed nurse, case manager, doctor, or similar medical professional. These experts will periodically reassess clients in their homes to adjust care plans and monitor changing health conditions. They will also check vital signs to compare them with baseline readings taken at the initial start-of-care assessment. BrightStar Care of Marina del Rey, for example, has a Director of Nursing (Registered Nurse) who provides complimentary care management for every client.
3) What resources do you have if my loved one needs care beyond the scope of non-medical caregivers?
Home care agencies in Marina del Rey, Santa Monica, Brentwood, and the nearby areas typically provide “non-medical” caregivers who serve as highly-valuable professionals. However, they are not usually licensed nurses. So, their scope of care, legally and practically, is limited.
In many situations, these non-medical aides can complete all necessary duties. But in some situations, they are not up to the task. Agencies that lack licensed, skilled nurses (RNs and LVNs) are not equipped to help with more complex care needs.
Fortunately, BrightStar Care of Marina del Rey is one of the few home care companies that can address all home-based nursing needs. In addition to providing non-medical caregivers (like other agencies), BrightStar Care also has licensed nurses that can assist with medical duties, including:
- Catheter Care
- Wound Care
- Ventilator Care
- Trach Care
- G-Tube Care
- Infusion Treatments
- Blood Draws (for lab testing)
- Injections
- Etc.
Naturally, most companies sing their own praises when highlighting services on websites or during meetings with prospective clients. But third-party accountability fortifies such claims. Online reviews, including those from Google, can be a great starting point for vetting caregiver companies. But there are other ways as well.
For example, Home Care Pulse is a third-party firm that surveys the clients and staff of home care agencies. They interview folks to get objective feedback on these companies, which opt-in. However, Home Care Pulse survey services are completely voluntary. So, many caregiver companies do not participate.
Families are wise to prioritize home care agencies that can reference Home Care Pulse or similar third-party survey results. And BrightStar Care of Marina del Rey has been honored with the Home Care Pulse “Best of Home Care – Leader in Excellence” award for three years running!
5) How do you ensure caregiver and nurse reliability?
Home care clients’ top complaints often center on issues of poor caregiver or nurse reliability. After all, these services are sensitive and essential to the well-being of many vulnerable seniors. So, a caregiver’s missed shift is far more consequential than that of a housekeeper or other domestic worker.
Families should always ask specific questions on how agencies promote staff reliability. Here are two great starters:
- “What is your discipline policy relating to unauthorized missed shifts?"
- “Do you leverage technology that promotes reliability?”
Final Take-Aways
Summer is a busy season for most families, and this year is shaping up to be particularly active. Children are returning to in-class schooling, parents are back at work, and many families are scheduling long-overdue vacations. With Memorial Day as the unofficial start of summer, now’s a good time to explore home care services for vulnerable loved ones. And folks who remember to ask prospective agencies key vetting questions will ensure they secure the best possible care!
If you’re seeking professional home care for a vulnerable loved one in Santa Monica, Brentwood, Pacific Palisades, or any of the Westside areas, be sure to contact BrightStar Care of Marina del Rey today for a free nurse assessment!