It’s no secret to most people that COVID-19 has fundamentally changed the healthcare industry. From “virtual” doctors’ appointments to “hospital-at-home” programs, medical professionals and patients are leveraging innovative technologies while staying open-minded to new care delivery options. And though home care has also faced disruption amid the pandemic, certain fundamental practices and standards should never change.
Here are the top 7 considerations for people seeking home care in Santa Monica, Marina del Rey, and Los Angeles that should always stay top of mind:
1) California’s “employer” dilemma
Honest folks are often comfortable conducting business with a blunt conversation and handshake agreement. Unfortunately, California employment law is more complicated than good-faith traditions. And families that secure caregiver services outside the context of a licensed home care agency are at legal and financial risk.
There are two main ways people unwittingly assume the role of home care “employer.” The first is when a well-intentioned family offers work to a similarly well-intentioned caregiver under a 1099 (independent contractor) arrangement. Simply put, the state of California doesn’t recognize caregivers as freelancers under any circumstances. So, the client/patient becomes the default employer whether she realizes it or not.
The second is when a family obtains a caregiver through a “registry.” Registries in Marina del Rey, Santa Monica, and elsewhere are essentially match-making services that connect clients/patients with caregivers but don’t serve as employers. Since these companies don’t act as actual employers, families [again] assume the role by default.
2) Beware opportunists
Healthcare professionals and others will sometimes refer their sisters, cousins, friends, etc. who happen to work as caregivers or are even said to own “agencies.” Families can certainly pursue these types of leads, but under no circumstances should they let down their guard down. A “sister” may actually be a sister, but the claim is hard to verify. And even if someone is a blood relative, that doesn’t mean the person referring isn’t conflicted.
The sad truth is some people receive financial “kick-backs” for referrals, despite laws designed to prevent impropriety. Every potential caregiver and agency lead needs to be independently vetted regardless of the source. Families should research agencies online to ensure they’re licensed with the state of California and have favorable client/patient reviews, such as BrightStar Care of Marina del Rey.
3) Attitude matters
Many families seeking home care services run their own businesses or serve as managers in other companies. With that in mind, most would agree attitude matters when interviewing prospective employees. Well, the same holds true for people vetting Santa Monica and Los Angeles home care agencies.
Dismissive and rude behavior from office staff should be viewed as red flags. A company that sounds indifferent during an inquiry call will treat clients and patients far worse—especially when addressing complaints and negative feedback regarding caregiver performance. There are plenty of home care agencies in Los Angeles from which to choose, so it’s unwise to gamble with those that don’t put their best foot forward.
4) Reliability as product
Great home care agencies shine over competitors by offering superior service and reliability. After all, caregiver companies supply a human product (home care aides). So, providers with great hiring practices, accountability systems, training, and management ultimately deliver the best value.
However, some agencies distract families with too much focus on special technologies, fancy marketing campaigns, and mission-focused slogans. While these can be great attributes that help improve quality of care and service, they are not substitutes for well-trained and reliable caregivers. The ultimate purpose of home care is to address patient needs, and families should always seek substance over hype.
5) Penny wise and pound foolish
Most people like to get a “good deal” on purchases and services. But value matters more than price, and shopping home care is an especially sensitive endeavor. There are huge differences between companies, including quality of care, customer service, and available resources. Agencies with prices “too good to be true” (well below market average) should be viewed skeptically.
Licensed California home care agencies operate under similar market conditions. They navigate the same employment laws and hire from the same pool of caregivers. There’s simply not much wiggle room in what they can charge clients while still covering overhead. So, companies with unusually low rates are probably cutting corners, which puts everyone at risk.
6) Location
It’s 2021, and the world seems quite small. Everyone is connected digitally in a myriad of ways, and business and education are largely conducted through video conferencing. But when it comes to home care, proximity still matters.
Families are wise to avoid home care agencies without local offices in the Santa Monica, Brentwood, or Marina del Rey areas. The nature of the business is still hands-on, and it’s hard for a company to properly recruit, screen, and train great caregivers without a regional presence. With that said, some companies present an illusion of locality by leveraging area phone numbers that route to a far-off office. So, families should always ask about office location specifically when calling prospective care providers.
7) Care management
The primary role of home care agencies is to staff reliable caregivers who deliver great quality of care. But these companies are also tasked with providing “care management.” Most Santa Monica and Los Angeles home care agencies rely on non-medical “representatives” to conduct start-of-care assessments and oversee care management. They conduct periodic home visits, check in on caregivers, and perform basic quality assurance. And although well-intentioned, they typically lack nursing licenses and medical expertise.
However, a small minority of companies, such as BrightStar Care of Marina del Rey, go above and beyond with “true” care management conducted by licensed Registered Nurses (RNs). In addition to performing general quality assurance, these healthcare professionals also monitor disease progression, changes in condition, and even check vital signs during visits.
Tying it all together
Ultimately, it’s clear to most people that COVID-19 has dramatically changed the healthcare industry and home care, specifically. And while it’s important for families to understand the new landscape, it’s also critical to keep a focus on the fundamentals. Quality caregiver services will always rely on a human touch, rooted in reliability, compassion, expertise, and accountability.
If you’re a family or healthcare professional seeking home care services for a loved one or patient in Santa Monica or the surrounding communities, be sure to contact BrightStar Care of Marina del Rey today for a free assessment from our Director of Nursing (Registered Nurse)!
Here are the top 7 considerations for people seeking home care in Santa Monica, Marina del Rey, and Los Angeles that should always stay top of mind:
1) California’s “employer” dilemma
Honest folks are often comfortable conducting business with a blunt conversation and handshake agreement. Unfortunately, California employment law is more complicated than good-faith traditions. And families that secure caregiver services outside the context of a licensed home care agency are at legal and financial risk.
There are two main ways people unwittingly assume the role of home care “employer.” The first is when a well-intentioned family offers work to a similarly well-intentioned caregiver under a 1099 (independent contractor) arrangement. Simply put, the state of California doesn’t recognize caregivers as freelancers under any circumstances. So, the client/patient becomes the default employer whether she realizes it or not.
The second is when a family obtains a caregiver through a “registry.” Registries in Marina del Rey, Santa Monica, and elsewhere are essentially match-making services that connect clients/patients with caregivers but don’t serve as employers. Since these companies don’t act as actual employers, families [again] assume the role by default.
2) Beware opportunists
Healthcare professionals and others will sometimes refer their sisters, cousins, friends, etc. who happen to work as caregivers or are even said to own “agencies.” Families can certainly pursue these types of leads, but under no circumstances should they let down their guard down. A “sister” may actually be a sister, but the claim is hard to verify. And even if someone is a blood relative, that doesn’t mean the person referring isn’t conflicted.
The sad truth is some people receive financial “kick-backs” for referrals, despite laws designed to prevent impropriety. Every potential caregiver and agency lead needs to be independently vetted regardless of the source. Families should research agencies online to ensure they’re licensed with the state of California and have favorable client/patient reviews, such as BrightStar Care of Marina del Rey.
3) Attitude matters
Many families seeking home care services run their own businesses or serve as managers in other companies. With that in mind, most would agree attitude matters when interviewing prospective employees. Well, the same holds true for people vetting Santa Monica and Los Angeles home care agencies.
Dismissive and rude behavior from office staff should be viewed as red flags. A company that sounds indifferent during an inquiry call will treat clients and patients far worse—especially when addressing complaints and negative feedback regarding caregiver performance. There are plenty of home care agencies in Los Angeles from which to choose, so it’s unwise to gamble with those that don’t put their best foot forward.
4) Reliability as product
Great home care agencies shine over competitors by offering superior service and reliability. After all, caregiver companies supply a human product (home care aides). So, providers with great hiring practices, accountability systems, training, and management ultimately deliver the best value.
However, some agencies distract families with too much focus on special technologies, fancy marketing campaigns, and mission-focused slogans. While these can be great attributes that help improve quality of care and service, they are not substitutes for well-trained and reliable caregivers. The ultimate purpose of home care is to address patient needs, and families should always seek substance over hype.
5) Penny wise and pound foolish
Most people like to get a “good deal” on purchases and services. But value matters more than price, and shopping home care is an especially sensitive endeavor. There are huge differences between companies, including quality of care, customer service, and available resources. Agencies with prices “too good to be true” (well below market average) should be viewed skeptically.
Licensed California home care agencies operate under similar market conditions. They navigate the same employment laws and hire from the same pool of caregivers. There’s simply not much wiggle room in what they can charge clients while still covering overhead. So, companies with unusually low rates are probably cutting corners, which puts everyone at risk.
6) Location
It’s 2021, and the world seems quite small. Everyone is connected digitally in a myriad of ways, and business and education are largely conducted through video conferencing. But when it comes to home care, proximity still matters.
Families are wise to avoid home care agencies without local offices in the Santa Monica, Brentwood, or Marina del Rey areas. The nature of the business is still hands-on, and it’s hard for a company to properly recruit, screen, and train great caregivers without a regional presence. With that said, some companies present an illusion of locality by leveraging area phone numbers that route to a far-off office. So, families should always ask about office location specifically when calling prospective care providers.
7) Care management
The primary role of home care agencies is to staff reliable caregivers who deliver great quality of care. But these companies are also tasked with providing “care management.” Most Santa Monica and Los Angeles home care agencies rely on non-medical “representatives” to conduct start-of-care assessments and oversee care management. They conduct periodic home visits, check in on caregivers, and perform basic quality assurance. And although well-intentioned, they typically lack nursing licenses and medical expertise.
However, a small minority of companies, such as BrightStar Care of Marina del Rey, go above and beyond with “true” care management conducted by licensed Registered Nurses (RNs). In addition to performing general quality assurance, these healthcare professionals also monitor disease progression, changes in condition, and even check vital signs during visits.
Tying it all together
Ultimately, it’s clear to most people that COVID-19 has dramatically changed the healthcare industry and home care, specifically. And while it’s important for families to understand the new landscape, it’s also critical to keep a focus on the fundamentals. Quality caregiver services will always rely on a human touch, rooted in reliability, compassion, expertise, and accountability.
If you’re a family or healthcare professional seeking home care services for a loved one or patient in Santa Monica or the surrounding communities, be sure to contact BrightStar Care of Marina del Rey today for a free assessment from our Director of Nursing (Registered Nurse)!