After several months of gentle persuasion your aging in place elderly mother has agreed to accept some professional home care- but now the hard part begins. Since you live in another state, you’re not familiar with the home care agencies in mom’s area. Finding a trustworthy home care company that can affordably maintain your loved one’s quality of life can be challenging and stressful. Here are some tips for finding your senior the top-notch care they truly deserve.

What is Senior Home Care?

Senior home care services are provided by professional caregivers who are dedicated to helping aging adults remain at home rather than going into a nursing home or assisted living facility. Those in-home services are usually delivered by certified nursing assistants (CNAs) or nurses’ aides under the supervision of a licensed nurse.

Most home care services address activities of daily living (ADLs) like:

  • Personal hygiene and grooming
  • Toileting and incontinence care
  • Companionship
  • Transportation
  • Food shopping, meal preparation and feeding
  • Light housekeeping
  • Bathing and showering
  • Medication reminders

Based on your senior’s mobility and cognitive function the first step is determining which ADLs they need assistance with.

Compile a Home Care Company List

Next, compile a list of potential home care providers by:

  • Seeking referrals from your loved one’s doctors, neighbors and friends
  • Looking for agencies that provide the services your senior needs
  • Consulting the area’s Agency on Aging website
  • Referencing an online agency directory
  • Including companies that fall within your budget

Using these criteria come up with several companies that look promising. With respect to affordability, see if your loved one qualifies for Medicaid or VA benefits. If they have a long-term care insurance (LTC) policy that may include at least some coverage for home care.

Zeroing in on the Right Agency

Now it’s really time to roll up your sleeves and do some homework. Here’s how to further narrow down your home care company search:

What do others say?

Find out what the agency’s clients have to say about their services. Google each company and check out their online reviews. Visit their website and look for client testimonials, along with any awards and certifications that the agency has earned.

Are they licensed and insured?

Reputable home care companies must meet strict federal and state licensing requirements and renew their licenses every few years. Good agencies also carry liability insurance to protect the families they serve.

What about staff training?

Look for agencies that provide ongoing staff training, including when a caregiver is first hired. You also want to use an agency with RN managers that supervise employees in the field and communicate openly with clients and their families.

Are their caregivers screened?

Narrow down your search to only include agencies that conduct driving and criminal background checks on their employees before hiring them. That will not only save you a lot of time and effort, it will give you peace of mind when you’re not there.

What’s their back-up plan?

In the event of an emergency does the agency have a back-up plan so that they can stay in touch remotely with you and your loved one? Many agencies now include video conferencing in their emergency plans so they can monitor and reassure their clients when being in the home isn’t possible.

Schedule Face-to-Face Interviews

The final step is scheduling a sit-down interview with the two or three best candidates. Make time to meet with the potential caregiver, their supervisor and your loved one. During the screening interview look for signs that the caregiver’s personality will mesh well with that of your senior. While there, don’t be afraid to ask them about their background and experience.

Your Family Trusted Home Care Agency

Finding the right home care company for your loved one can sometimes be downright nerve-wracking. At Seniors Prefer Homecare we’ve already done most of the groundwork for you. We are a fully licensed and insured home care agency that carefully screens all its caregivers in advance. Our well-trained caregivers are supervised by RN managers while delivering in-home services that are designed to keep seniors safe and comfortable right where they want to be.

To lift your spirits and restore your peace of mind Seniors Prefer Homecare also offers flexible care packages, affordable rates and 24/7 accessibility. To learn more about our family trusted home care services now, or to schedule a FREE consultation for a senior in Huntsville or Tuscaloosa, AL, today please visit us at: www.seniorspreferhomecare.com!