Five Tips On Choosing Senior Home Care

By Author: Robin Hewitt
Total Articles: 739
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Check the credentials of the senior home care agency that you are considering. The company should be licensed if required by your state as well as bonded and insured. Make sure the caregivers they hire are experienced and that the agency does background checks on their employees. In addition, they should be willing to provide you with references from past clients of the caregiver that will be with your senior. A premium agency will also monitor their senior home care providers by checking with you periodically to be sure the caretaker is performing all their duties in a satisfactory manner.

Research the services they offer to be sure they will provide the specific help your elderly parent requires. For example, a comprehensive home care agency will offer assistance with hygiene, light housekeeping, meal preparation and diet monitoring, and companionship as well as running errands and shopping. Make a list of things you need help with before interviewing each agency so you are sure the agency offers the exact elderly care that is needed.

Ask when caregiver service is available ...
... to be sure the agency covers your scheduling requirements. Look for a company that offers both live-in care and sleep-over as well as live-out, whether they will check in once or twice a day if needed, and whether they are available on weekends and holidays. The caregiver should also be available on a temporary or long-term basis.

Verify that the caregiver will work with your schedule as well as conform to your parent’s wishes. For example, a home care provider should not dictate a schedule but should adjust to the timetable of the person needing elderly care. You and your parent will be in charge, and the caregiver should be flexible as your needs change.

Compare the costs with the services provided by each agency. Inquire whether the company charges by the hour, day, or week and whether there are extra fees for specific services. Keep in mind that senior home care services should be about one quarter the cost of a full-service nursing home, and about one third the cost of an assisted living facility.

In conclusion, when looking for an elderly care agency you should pay attention to five key areas: the credentials of the agency and the people it hires, the services the company offers, the visiting schedules available, and the charges and fees that will be incurred for the home care being provided.

Robin Hewitt is a freelance writer working with Visiting Angels to help people learn what to look for when choosing senior home care. For more information on Home Health Care visit our site today!