Which Home Health Aide is Right For You?

We all know that choosing elderly home care services; there are many things that we should look for to ensure that the home care agencies we choose are up to snuff.

We know the senior home health care company should:

•    Be licensed by the state.
•    The agency should be accredited by a governing agency.
•    The agency should be certified by Medicare to meet federal requirements for health and safety.
•    The agency should also be able to provide references.

But when choosing a Home Health Aide, what should be the factors that we should look for?

Finding the Right Home Health Aide

We have been introducing home health aides to seniors & clients recuperating from a fractures or accidents since 1998. Our Coordinators seamlessly glide between speaking with the client and the home care candidate to make the right “match”. Sometimes we fancy ourselves as matchmakers – making a “Shidduch”.

Things to Consider

There are standard best practices that eldercare services should practice when it comes to choosing the right home health aide.

Following an intake process, which is used to gather pertinent information, the Geriatric Care Manager should usually meet with the client and often a family member (son or daughter) in order to properly assess the needs. They should offer guidance or referrals and most importantly they should focus on getting a feel for the person needing care.

It is very important to understand the role that personality type plays in matching a client with an aide. In order to achieve a successful care giving relationship, there has to be a balance that will allow the caregiver and client to work together.

No care giving situation is the same, so, whether the client needs a home health aide with more of a “take charge” attitude or prefers a nurse who takes a more relaxed approach, all these things should be considered so the right choice can be made.

Other ingredients Coordinators should consider and use for a recipe of success are:

•    Experience – type of household the aide has in worked previously.

•     Knowledge - Knowledge of  certain conditions, i.e. Alzheimer’s disease or other Dementia’s, Parkinson’s or Diabetes, Cancer, Hoyer lifts and other medical equipment is important depending on the clients needs.

•    Presentation – How the Aide presents him or herself, language skills and level of professionalism and patience.

•    Scheduling – Hourly vs. Live In scheduling preferences.

•    Proximity – Proximity to and familiarization with client’s neighborhood.

•    Special Needs – Special needs such as a Kosher home, any pets, others in the home – gaining an understanding of client expectations.

•    Communication – Ability to communicate with the family members appropriately.

Keeping these things in mind should make finding the right home health aide a little easier and with that piece of mind you can feel confident that your aging parent or loved one is in the right hands.

Related posts:

1. Tips For Making Use Of Your Home Health Aide
2. Hiring a Home Health Aide or Caregiver for Your Parents
3. A Call For Help