How To Choose Home Care Services – Consumer Guide

1- How could you find the home care service provider that is right for you?

How To Choose Home Care Services? The first step to finding a home care service provider is to ask your doctor or other health care providers about what services you will need. You may only require casual services from a nurse or a caregiver or you may need more complex care services.

Your doctor, nurse, social worker, discharge planner, government agency staff, and other stakeholders maybe able to recommend some reputable home health care service providers. Your family or friends may be able to provide some insight into which home care service company provides the best home health care services.

2- What should you ask from a potential home care agency?

To help you determine which home health care provider is the right fit for you, you should ask the following questions :

How long has the agency been in business?

Is the agency licensed, accredited, and has been in good standing with Better Business Bureau (BBB)?

Our caregivers and nurses bonded and insured?

Can the agency provide medical and non-medical services?

What is the professional training of the staff?

Will there be an individualized care plan for the client?

Can the agency provide references?

How does the agency protect client information and confidentiality?

Has the home care agency able to provide the expertise to manage your care needs. Are they employ experienced staff?

Is the home care provider able to provide you with a sense of security and assurance throughout the course of an illness or a long term condition?

3- Who should consider home care services?

You may consider home care services if you need caring for others or yourself because;

You are unable to carry on your daily task due to your age

You have disability

You are recovering from an illness, surgery, or post-hospital discharge

You are living with a chronic illness

You are dealing with a terminal illness

Or, you may simply need a companion or someone to prepare your meals, assist with laundry, cleanups, medication administration, mobility, exercises, personal care, to run errands, and accompany you to your appointment

4- Monitor the quality of home care services

After you chose the care provider, you need to monitor the performance and the consistency of the care services. Any short comings must be communicated to the home care company.