Home Health Care: when to hire and what to look for
Finding and hiring a home health care company is important when someone you know needs more time and care than you can personally give. However, the selection of companies can be overwhelming. (Yes, I highly suggest going with a company and not a friend, or friend of a friend. I will explain in a minute.)
Home healthcare companies offer many different types of services:
- Medical – assisting with vitals, medication, wound care, etc.
- Non-medical – toileting, meal prep, assisting with showers, dressing, etc.
- Companionship – keeping them company, driving them to appointments and the store, etc.
Finding Home Health Care Companies…
First you must understand, what are the needs of the adult you are caring for or representing?
- Are there medical needs? Medication assistance? Diabetes assistance? Other health issues?
- Is there a fall risk? Do they need assistance with walking? Assistance in the bathroom and shower?
- Do they just need a companion? Someone to drive them to appointments and the store, assist with meals, etc.?
- Will this care be needed for a few hours a day or night? Or is this for 24 hours?
Now that you know what you need, it is time to do some research.
Here are a few suggestions on where to begin your search:
- Senior Service Directory
- See if your city has Senior Resource Guide (a free quarterly periodical you should be able to find at grocery stores, doctor’s offices, coffee shops, etc.)
- Ask the social worker, if the adult you are caring for is currently in the hospital.
- Word of mouth- ask around and get feedback from trusted friends.
So, what do you look for in a Home Health Care company?
Here are some questions to ask when inquiring:
- Are you insured? What type of insurance?
- What type of services do you provide?
- Medication assistance?
- Medical services (i.e. insulin injections, colostomy bag assistance, wound care, vitals, etc.)?
- Toileting?
- Bathing and Oral hygiene?
- Dressing?
- Transportation to and from doctor’s appointments?
- Meal preparation and cooking?
- Housekeeping?
- Laundry?
- Bed sore prevention?
- Do you do a background check on staff?
- Is staff required to be vaccinated?
- Are all of your staff certified nursing assistants?
- How do you know if and when your staff is a no-show, or has made it to the patient’s home?
- What do you do if a staff member does not show up?
- Do you have a fee sheet breaking down the cost of services?
- May I have a copy of the contract?
- What do you require from me or (my family member, neighbor, friend, etc.)?
- Does your staff attend continuing education?
- What do you provide on holidays? Is staff available to work?
Once you have gathered information from multiple agencies, sit down with the person who will be receiving the care to discuss the options.
As I have mentioned in many other blogs, an older adult must be respected and treated like an adult. They have every right to make important decisions, especially when it comes to hiring someone to be in their own home with them. Of course, if they have Dementia this may be difficult and the topic of discussion should be leaning towards moving to a community (a blog for another day.)
Again, finding and hiring a home healthcare company to care for an older adult with particular needs or wants is a better option than going with someone you just know. Unexpected things happen and having somebody fully trained, and insured, taking care of the adult in discussion makes a significant difference. Not only for their health, but for your peace of mind!
Certainly feel free to comment below or email me anytime with thoughts or questions on caregiving!
