subject: Qualities Of Good Senior Home Care Providers [print this page] When your loved one needs home care at home medical or non-medical home care it can be a difficult and challenging decision for family caregivers to make. This knol talks about the factors family caregivers need to consider before making a decision. First decide and make it clear as to what kind of help you need from a senior home care provider.
Decision process
Thoroughly consider what care your loved one needs. Keep in mind your loved ones nature, temperament and personal choices. Make sure to paint a realistic picture of the patients needs so that the right caregiver match can be made:
Medical or non-medical home care or both
* Do you need a companion, or someone who can provide hands-on care (i.e. assisting getting in/out of bath, etc.)
* Do you need assistance with cooking and light housework?
* Do you need skilled medical assistance for things like blood pressure & blood sugar testing, medication administration, wound care or tube/drain/bag maintenance?
* Do you need a caregiver who can drive you to social events appointments or?
* Is a memory loss diagnosis (i.e. Alzheimers, dementia) a factor or is the patient becoming confused?
* Do you need a caregiver trained in a specialization such as hospice care or mobility needs?
* Do you need a caregiver that speaks a particular language or is versed in sign language?
Qualities of Good Senior Home Care Providers
Quality and Reliability
In order to protect yourself and your loved ones from potential liability, be sure to ask the following questions when selecting a homecare agency.
* What levels of care are available? Is the home care provider licensed for medical care or only companion care services?
* Are caregivers supervised by an RN? Who conducts the initial assessment before starting each case?
* Are all caregivers employees that are licensed, bonded, and insured? What happens if a worker is injured in my home?
* Do you take care of paying the taxes and withholdings for the caregiver?
* If there is a personality conflict or other problem with a worker, can a change be made? How is this handled?
* How much notice will you give me if a caregiver is leaving or will be unavailable for an extended period of time?
* What are your rates? Is there a minimum # of hours that I have to commit to each day/week/month?
* What happens if a caregiver calls out sick or has an emergency? Will you send another caregiver of equal skill and experience?
* Can I interview the caregiver(s) before I commit to using your agency? Do you check references, and can I get details of the caregivers experience and background? Can I get someone that has worked on similar cases / patients?
* What happens in case of an emergency? Can your caregiver provide hands-on help (i.e. lifting, CPR, etc.) or do they need to wait for emergency services?
Remember that you are the customer do not hesitate to express your needs and give feedback, especially if you are dissatisfied or worried. The matching of a caregiver to a patient is as much an art as a science, and clear constructive feedback will help everyone settle in quickly. The senior home care provider must be open to take feedback.
Availability and Accessibility
Good home care providers make life easier empowering independence, giving families around-the-clock service and support.
Skills and Professionalism
To find a compassionate, dedicated and qualified senior home care professional please keep below in mind. Make sure the home care providers are trained and are in compliance with federal/local laws and guidelines.
* Criminal background check through the State Police according to state guidelines
* License/certificate verification in accordance with state law and requirements
* Reference checks via phone or mail
* State health screenings as required by law
* No-cost Hepatitis B vaccination
* Bloodborne pathogens training as stated by OSHA guidelines
* Current CPR certification
* Drug Screening
Commitment and Passion
1. Does the caregiver do the job and beyond, and if the job takes longer then regular hours is the caregiver there to get the job?
2. Is the caregiver hard working, loving and a caring person?
3. Can the caregiver be part of your family?
According to the AARP, 82% of people prefer to stay in their homes as long as possible. However getting the right provider is the key.
