With each passing day, it seems the world gets smaller and smaller. First came automobiles and highways that connected cities and suburbs, allowing families to live and work miles apart from each other. Then came airline travel, which empowered folks to travel from one end of the country to the other in a matter of hours. Now, high-speed internet and technological tools mean millions of Americans work “virtually” from places all around the globe.
But despite our new world that seems smaller and is more technologically connected, certain aspects of life remain traditional. And Marina del Rey home care services are one of these. Unfortunately, bicoastal families and folks that live far from their aging loved ones often have trouble securing reliable caregiver services.
Here’s why the right Santa Monica home care agency makes all the difference for families scattered in different locations and ways to vet caregiver companies relative to proximity challenges.
Communication
Patients and families usually expect strong communication from healthcare providers. But this element of service is even more critical when concerned relatives do not live locally. After all, adult children can check up on “Mom” or “Dad’s” caregiver if they live nearby. But those who reside hundreds or thousands of miles away must rely on feedback provided by home care agency representatives.
A well-matched West Los Angeles caregiver company will communicate proactively rather than passively responding to family inquiries. A “care manager” will call or email family members with updates on their loved one’s status and changes in condition. And when concerned parties do contact the agency with questions or concerns, a company representative is available to answer them. In fact, bicoastal families should always ensure a prospective agency has representatives available 24/7 in the event of emergencies.
Local Presence
Family members may not live within the vicinity of loved ones, but it’s critical their Santa Monica home care agency has a local presence. Companies with community ties are more likely to attract and employ nearby caregivers. They are also usually more hands-on and can perform quality assurance visits while also assessing staff performance.
A variety of needs can spring up unexpectedly when delivering care. A patient may require medical supplies, or the caregiver might need extra personal protective equipment (PPE) considering COVID-19. Ultimately, an agency’s supervisors or representatives should work relatively close to a client’s home so they can pay in-person visits if necessary.
Times have changed, and technology has bridged the proximity gap in many ways. But great home care service still requires local caregivers and management. As of yet, innovation has not diminished the “hands-on” component of home care, and it’s unlikely to anytime soon.
Technology & Tools
As stated, certain attributes of great Marina del Rey home care services remain unchanged over the years. Slick technology cannot replace quality caregivers and great management. And agency proximity will always be critical. But innovative tools can make a difference and improve the quality of care and customer service.
Despite technological advancements within the home care industry, many agencies have been slow to change. Some still use old-fashioned paper timesheets that are unreliable and unverifiable. Others lack mobile applications that allow on-call staff to reliably address afterhours needs and emergencies.
Bicoastal families should especially vet prospective caregiver companies with technology in mind. After all, a relative who lives in a different time zone may need to connect with the office afterhours. And relatives who reside far away may need reliable electronic invoicing and electronic fund transfer (EFT) payment options. Here’s a partial (though not complete) list of questions particularly relevant to bicoastal families:
All Santa Monica home care agencies provide caregivers that work in clients’ homes to assist with activities of daily living (ADLs), such as bathing, dressing, grooming, meal preparation, light housekeeping, supervision, fall prevention, and other common needs. However, they are vastly different in how the perform “care management.” In fact, many companies simply ignore it altogether.
Great home care is about more than just staffing aides. It is comprehensive and manages clients’ needs more holistically. The best agencies employ “care managers” who actively assess clients’ changing needs while supervising the staff. And a handful of rare companies, such as BrightStar Care of Marina del Rey, even employ licensed Registered Nurses (RNs) to conduct care management in accordance with advanced training and licensure.
RN-led care management is a benefit to all home care clients, but it is especially helpful to bicoastal families and folks who cannot visit vulnerable loved ones as frequently as desired. And active care management from true medical professionals (RNs) is even more imperative for patients with complex diagnoses, such as Alzheimer’s, dementia, Parkinson’s, MS, ALS, CHF, and COPD. It helps ensure high-risk/home-bound seniors are monitored for changes in conditions and needs despite living in relative isolation.
Summary
Societal dynamics continue to evolve due to advances in workplace tools, communication mediums, and transportation logistics. And with these changes, families often find themselves spread out across states and even countries. But folks seeking home care in Santa Monica, Marina del Rey, Brentwood and the adjacent communities should remember agency proximity still matters.
The right home care company should have a local office and presence within the community. And the further away loved ones live from the patient needing care, the more important agency proximity is. Ultimately, the right home care company will combine the best traditional qualities, such as having a local office and hands-on care management, with helpful innovations that aid relatives from afar, such as digital timesheets, electronic billing options, and 24/7 availability.
If you’re seeking caregiver services for a loved one in Santa Monica, Marina del Rey, Venice, Brentwood, Pacific Palisades, or the nearby communities, be sure to call BrightStar Care today for a free assessment from our Director of Nursing!
But despite our new world that seems smaller and is more technologically connected, certain aspects of life remain traditional. And Marina del Rey home care services are one of these. Unfortunately, bicoastal families and folks that live far from their aging loved ones often have trouble securing reliable caregiver services.
Here’s why the right Santa Monica home care agency makes all the difference for families scattered in different locations and ways to vet caregiver companies relative to proximity challenges.
Communication
Patients and families usually expect strong communication from healthcare providers. But this element of service is even more critical when concerned relatives do not live locally. After all, adult children can check up on “Mom” or “Dad’s” caregiver if they live nearby. But those who reside hundreds or thousands of miles away must rely on feedback provided by home care agency representatives.
A well-matched West Los Angeles caregiver company will communicate proactively rather than passively responding to family inquiries. A “care manager” will call or email family members with updates on their loved one’s status and changes in condition. And when concerned parties do contact the agency with questions or concerns, a company representative is available to answer them. In fact, bicoastal families should always ensure a prospective agency has representatives available 24/7 in the event of emergencies.
Local Presence
Family members may not live within the vicinity of loved ones, but it’s critical their Santa Monica home care agency has a local presence. Companies with community ties are more likely to attract and employ nearby caregivers. They are also usually more hands-on and can perform quality assurance visits while also assessing staff performance.
A variety of needs can spring up unexpectedly when delivering care. A patient may require medical supplies, or the caregiver might need extra personal protective equipment (PPE) considering COVID-19. Ultimately, an agency’s supervisors or representatives should work relatively close to a client’s home so they can pay in-person visits if necessary.
Times have changed, and technology has bridged the proximity gap in many ways. But great home care service still requires local caregivers and management. As of yet, innovation has not diminished the “hands-on” component of home care, and it’s unlikely to anytime soon.
Technology & Tools
As stated, certain attributes of great Marina del Rey home care services remain unchanged over the years. Slick technology cannot replace quality caregivers and great management. And agency proximity will always be critical. But innovative tools can make a difference and improve the quality of care and customer service.
Despite technological advancements within the home care industry, many agencies have been slow to change. Some still use old-fashioned paper timesheets that are unreliable and unverifiable. Others lack mobile applications that allow on-call staff to reliably address afterhours needs and emergencies.
Bicoastal families should especially vet prospective caregiver companies with technology in mind. After all, a relative who lives in a different time zone may need to connect with the office afterhours. And relatives who reside far away may need reliable electronic invoicing and electronic fund transfer (EFT) payment options. Here’s a partial (though not complete) list of questions particularly relevant to bicoastal families:
- What forms of payment do you accept (credit card, EFT, check, etc.)?
- How do you track caregiver hours (paper timesheets, electronic/telephony, phone app, etc.)?
- Is your office fully operational afterhours (replacing caregivers last minute, cancelling service, caregiver questions, other emergencies)?
- Can we complete the start-of-care assessment/evaluation virtually, if necessary (video call, e-signature options for paperwork, etc.)?
All Santa Monica home care agencies provide caregivers that work in clients’ homes to assist with activities of daily living (ADLs), such as bathing, dressing, grooming, meal preparation, light housekeeping, supervision, fall prevention, and other common needs. However, they are vastly different in how the perform “care management.” In fact, many companies simply ignore it altogether.
Great home care is about more than just staffing aides. It is comprehensive and manages clients’ needs more holistically. The best agencies employ “care managers” who actively assess clients’ changing needs while supervising the staff. And a handful of rare companies, such as BrightStar Care of Marina del Rey, even employ licensed Registered Nurses (RNs) to conduct care management in accordance with advanced training and licensure.
RN-led care management is a benefit to all home care clients, but it is especially helpful to bicoastal families and folks who cannot visit vulnerable loved ones as frequently as desired. And active care management from true medical professionals (RNs) is even more imperative for patients with complex diagnoses, such as Alzheimer’s, dementia, Parkinson’s, MS, ALS, CHF, and COPD. It helps ensure high-risk/home-bound seniors are monitored for changes in conditions and needs despite living in relative isolation.
Summary
Societal dynamics continue to evolve due to advances in workplace tools, communication mediums, and transportation logistics. And with these changes, families often find themselves spread out across states and even countries. But folks seeking home care in Santa Monica, Marina del Rey, Brentwood and the adjacent communities should remember agency proximity still matters.
The right home care company should have a local office and presence within the community. And the further away loved ones live from the patient needing care, the more important agency proximity is. Ultimately, the right home care company will combine the best traditional qualities, such as having a local office and hands-on care management, with helpful innovations that aid relatives from afar, such as digital timesheets, electronic billing options, and 24/7 availability.
If you’re seeking caregiver services for a loved one in Santa Monica, Marina del Rey, Venice, Brentwood, Pacific Palisades, or the nearby communities, be sure to call BrightStar Care today for a free assessment from our Director of Nursing!