Choosing a home health care aide for you or a loved one is likely one of the most important decisions you may make in your lifetime. At first it may seem like a daunting task but there are some guidelines that you can use to make the process much easier and ensure high quality care for you or your loved one.
Ensuring the agency is accredited and licensed.
Each state has its own legal requirements for in-home caregivers and home health agencies. When choosing a home care agency you should check to make sure they are abiding by the laws of the state. It is important to know if the agency is licensed by the state in which you reside. State agencies that regulate licenses are a great place to start researching care providers. You may be able to find out if there have been complaints made against a particular agency. Obtaining references is another smart way to get a full view of the type of care you can expect. You may also want to inquire about how the home care agency selects and trains their employees.
Does the agency provide the services you need?
Home caregivers are typically employed when someone is no longer able to care for themselves due to various circumstances such as failing health, a recent injury or surgery. There are many important factors to consider in choosing the best agency to meet your needs, assessing what types of services you or your loved one will need is high on the “to do” list.
Assisting Hands Home Care Livingston personnel can help with daily living activities including shopping and running errands, preparing meals, laundry, and other general light housekeeping duties. Certified home care workers also will be able to assist with bathing, dressing, and grooming as well as medication reminders.
Asking how activities performed by the home health aide are documented is another indication of how an agency functions. Knowing that there are organizational systems in places can help ease your mind. Detailing the specific tasks to be carried out, and logging activities ensures that clients’ needs are met each and every time they are visited by their caregiver. Another question to ask is whether a supervisor is assigned to oversee care to ensure quality assistance is always a priority.
Additionally, the availability of the caregiver is something to take into consideration. Depending on your needs you may want to know if the agency has a registered nurse on call and if they are available 24 hours a day.
When you meet a prospective caregiver, chatting with them can be a great way to access their attitude and how comfortable you may be with them helping you or your loved one.
Does the cost for services meet your budget?
Although at first this may seem like the most important factor, sometimes choosing an agency based solely on cost may lead to inadequate care. Ask the agency for literature explaining their services and fees, as well as explanations of costs associated with home care. Also knowledge of how they manage expenses and billing can be helpful. You should check to see what type of coverage your long term care insurance offers. The agency may have resources for financial assistance, if needed. For instance, a payment plan may be available or the agency may work with other organizations such as Veterans Home Care Assistance Program.
Assisting Hands Home Care is available around the clock to answer any questions you may have. Please call 973-970-2723 for more information.
