As your loved one ages or becomes more affected by a crippling disease, you start to worry about them living on their own. Luckily, there are home health care agencies available to assist in the everyday care of someone you love.
When you look for home health care for your loved one, you may not know what to seek out in a quality establishment. Use this guide to help you determine what home health care facility will work best for your loved one.
Flexibility
Choose a home health care facility that operates with flexible hours so your loved one can select when they wish to receive care. For example, your family member may only need help with showering in the morning or doing basic chores, which your home health care aide will work their schedule around.
Some people need full-time, around-the-clock care. If your loved one should not be left alone for long periods of time or needs constant assistance, choose a home health care facility that can meet these needs as well. Some companies will hire live-in caregivers to stay with their charges at all times.
Services
Choose a home health care company that offers a variety of services your loved one can take advantage of. Perhaps your family member needs help with running errands or going to doctor's appointments. Maybe dishes are piling in the sink or laundry hasn't been done in days. Perhaps there are even pets involved in the home that need to be taken care of.
Not all home health care facilities have staff that is able to drive around, run errands, or do light housekeeping and give care around the home. Before choosing just any health care facility, make sure the services your loved one needs will be met.
Affordability
Every home health care provider charges differently for their services. Some companies accept multiple types of insurance while others do not. These are things to keep in mind when choosing a home health care company for your loved one, especially if you are on a fixed budget or insurance is going to be an issue.
The best way to determine which type of home health care company will work best for your needs is to speak with representatives of all companies you are considering. Representatives will be able to answer all your financial and legal questions or lead you in the right direction if you need further assistance. Ask your loved one's doctor for recommendations for home health care if you don't know where to turn.