Choosing the right home health aide

There is certainly a wealth of information out there about Elder Care. To learn the basics of hiring help into the home, like most anything else, requires you to do your homework. In this post, we will give you a few ideas of what to look for when hiring a home health care services.

You want a company which is:

1.  Licensed

2. Has a track record for at least 5 years

3. Has a multi- disciplined staff, which includes: a Geriatric Care Manager, Registered Nurse and Social Worker for instance.

4. Comfortable with giving recommendations from other clients and interviews new clients.

These are just a few things to look for. A frequently asked question is whether you have to go with a home care company that the Rehab Center or Hospital gives to you or the company that is within an Assisted Living Facility.

Remember, it is ALWAYS CUSTOMER CHOICE when it comes down to choosing your home health care provider.  We suggest you look for transparency. If a Rehab center has information on their walls about a certain company, they are most likely connected. There are pros and cons to this but should not replace considering other companies before making your choice.

Similarly, some Assisted Living facilities have a Home Health Company in-house. Again, it is a matter of transparency. It may be beneficial to have the facility in charge of everything, or, it may make more sense to split responsibilities in the interest of transparency. If there is a question about an aide’s conduct or ability, it may be more comfortable for you or your parents to discuss the matter with a company outside of their dwelling.

The facility will likely have a medication pouring/monitoring service and this makes perfect sense to have the facility manage this aspect.

Your mother, father or other loved one’s care is an important and sensitive concern. Caring professionals, experienced caregivers and integrity in business makes a world of difference in choosing the right type of home health care.