What to consider when choosing an in-home care provider

Hello, Chealsea here With Solutions for senior’s podcast.

Before I get started today, I would like to thank Home Helpers of Bourbonnais for sponsoring solutions for seniors podcast. If you or your loved one are in the Kankakee or will county area call home helpers at 815-01-5527 for all your home care needs. You can also visit their website at www.homehelpershomecare.com/kankakee

Last week I talked about all the different options you and your aging loved one have for in home care options. After talking it over with your loved one now it’s time to make the decision on what care is needed and to hire an agency to provide that care. This may seem like the scary part of the whole thing, but I promise you it’s not. Finding the right fit will do wonders for your aging loved ones care and take some much worry off of you.

If you are looking into hiring an in-home care provider here are some things to consider:

What’s their Service availability

Home health aide schedules vary between agencies. This can impact affordability and convenience when hiring a service.

Clear communication and how do they communicate?

Communication between the family of the senior receiving care and the provider organization is critical to creating a comprehensive schedule of services. Slow response times could leave a senior alone or put them in danger by delaying reports on issues that could impact their health.

Provider screening

Any time you let someone into your home, you take a risk. The elderly are particularly at risk, so before inviting someone in, it is important that they pass screening and a background check which should be provided by the agency.

Absentee policies

Everyone needs a day off occasionally, so what happens when a caregiver calls out?

Cost

When trying to provide care on a limited budget, the cost can be a major issue. Medicare rarely covers in-home care costs, leaving much of it to be out-of-pocket. You can see what benefits you or your loved one are eligible for by visiting benefits.gov. Long-term care insurance and Medicare supplemental insurance might be viable options to help cover costs.

Licenses and insurance

You will have to check into the state that your loved one lives in to see what the state requirements are for each home agency. Making sure that the company you hire has their own insurance just in case. That can give you and your loved one piece of mind while having people in their house.

Now you know what you should ask when seeking the right in home care company. The next step is to call your local in home care companies, you can ask some of your questions over the phone or you can set up in an home assessment to ask your questions and get the care managers option on the level of care needed. Having the input of the care manager or care coordinator is very critical.

You can now feel confident while seeking extra help for your aging loved one, Having an in home care team can really help your aging loved one and take a lot of stress off of you and your family,

Again, I would like to thank Home Helpers of Bourbonnais for sponsoring solutions for seniors podcast. If you or your loved one are in the Kankakee or will county area call home helpers at 815-01-5527 for all your home care needs. You can also visit their website at www.homehelpershomecare.com/kankakee

Thank you for joining me this week on solutions for seniors podcast. Join me next week for another common challenge we call face while helping our aging loved ones, Stay safe and well.