Considering In Home Senior Care? 3 Things to Look for in a Elder Care Agency
Considering In Home Senior Care? 3 Things to Look for in a Elder Care Agency
As we view their situation, it becomes obvious that their physical condition issues stop them from living like they once did. At this point, we are faced with 3 choices:
1. Place them in a nursing home.
2. Move in with them or move them in with us.
3. Hire an in home care or elder care company.
The first 2alternatives are wrought with challenges. We've all heard the horror stories of the treatment several elderly receive in nursing homes, so do we really want to take this type of risk with the very people that gave us life and raised us? Option two can be challenging as well if we are running a lot and/or have a extremely active family. It may also be tricky because of compatibility difficulties with in-laws, etc.
This leaves in home elder care as the ideal option to deal with the senior care needs of our aging loved ones. The problem here is that senior in home care is a fairly new and rising industry and many people are unfamiliar with what to look for in a high-quality senior care agency.
Here are 3 things you need to be aware of before hiring any company to handle the in home care of your loved ones:
1. Who is running the elder care organization you are taking into account?
This is a extremely imperative question because it gets to the heart of what the organization is all about. If you are dealing with an in home elder care agency that has a considerable and bureaucratic corporate structure, then there could be troubles with the quality of care you receive. It is best if the individuals running the elder care agency are living locally in your community and that they know how to administer proper care to their clients (your loved ones). The best case scenario would be an organization that is run by local registered nurses, since they would carry the expertise in the field to make certain that correct senior care is given.
2.Do they offer flexibility in their programs and services?
The last thing you need when entrusting your loved ones to elder care services is a company that uses a "one size fits all" approach to providing in home care. We all are aware that each individual situation is a bit different, and the elder care company you deal with needs to grasp that as well. Look for an company that is willing to modify their programs and services to fit the individual needs of your family.
3.Will they permit you to use their services month to month, or do they lock you into a long-term contract?
What if you determine that the in home senior care company you employed just isn't the accurate fit for your family? If you are locked into a long term contract, then you will most likely have to pay a penalty of hundreds or even 1000's of dollars to break it. Look for a senior care company that permits you to use their services month to month, so you have the flexibility to make a change if your circumstances warrant it.