As our loved ones age, we’re faced with a series of challenging choices. Among these is finding a home care service to help with basic tasks while ensuring that the senior in question can stay in their own home. A home care service can help with personal care, food preparation, errands, light housekeeping, or medical care. However, it’s a very personal decision, so what’s the most effective way to choose a home care service? While there are no hard and fast guidelines, here are some things to consider when looking for a home care service.
The first thing to consider when choosing a home care service or agency is your own needs or the needs of your loved one. Different home care providers offer different services, so it’s imperative to find one that’s right for you. Is your loved one basically independent, only needing some help occasionally with medical care or light housekeeping? Do they have dietary needs that they could use some help with? Are there other personal care needs involved? Talking to a physician or other specialist to determine what you need is the first step in finding the right home care service for you.
Well or ill, the next thing to consider is your insurance and financial situation. Home care isn’t necessarily expensive, but it’s helpful to know what your insurance will pay for, what your financial situation is, and what you can afford to spend. This is before exploring which service is right for your needs. Different home care services accept different insurances, and different supplemental programs, and offer different cost scales, so determine your situation carefully and then do your research.
When assessing different home care services, consider their certifications and qualifications. Different states have different standards for certification. Therefore, you may need to do a little research to find out what various certifications mean and how they work within state standards. It should go without saying but always go with a certified home care service that is fully registered with the appropriate state agencies. Home care is a personal thing, providing care for some of the more vulnerable members of our society. Thus it’s important to find the right home care service–one that is fully qualified and certified. This should include vetting their employees carefully to ensure that only the most qualified people are working with your loved ones.
A final step is ensuring that you’ve considered a long-term care plan and the role that your home care service will fill within it. As we age, our needs change, and for many folks in their golden years, those needs can change rapidly. By identifying likely future needs, setting up a plan of action, and then finding a home care service that can adapt accordingly, you’ll help ensure that your loved one gets the most out of their home care both now and in the future.
The best way to choose a home care service is a big decision. Still, with due consideration of the factors and details involved–along with a little bit of planning–you’ll be better able to identify the right choice for you and the senior in your life. Here at Seniors Helping Seniors, we understand that one’s golden years should be a chance to explore, grow, and connect with loved ones. By helping seniors lead independent lives, we at SHS ensure that everyone involved gets the most out of this wonderful phase of life. For questions about home care or getting involved with Seniors Helping Seniors, please reach out today!