There are around 12,200 home-care agencies in the U.S, which shows there are plenty of options.
You may choose home care agencies to get around-the-clock care, access the right medication, and have a good quality of life. Perhaps you or your loved one is considering hiring a home care agency, but you’re not sure how to find the perfect organization to suit your needs.
Sounds familiar? Don’t worry, you’ve come to the right place. Here are five factors to consider when choosing home care agencies.
1. Cost
Before browsing agencies, it’s important to outline a home care budget, so you know what you’re working with. Start by checking whether the packages are customizable or pre-packaged, as this will determine the cost. You should ask whether there’s an hourly rate for the services, how many hours you’ll need, and if your insurance covers the establishment.
If you want an affordable solution, then consider home care at AssistingHands.com.
2. Available Services
To get the ultimate home care experience, find out which services are available, so you know it’s the right fit. For instance, home health care is when a certified nurse brings the patient medication, treats wounds, and changes their IV bag.
Or, you may need home care services, where a healthcare professional helps patients with their daily lives, such as cooking dinner or helping with personal hygiene tasks.
3. Online Reviews
Reading online reviews will determine whether the home care services are reliable. Check the agency’s social media and third-party review sites like Yelp, so you get honest feedback from past and current clients.
Reach out to customers and ask whether they are happy with the service, whether they hired the agency for themselves or a loved one, and if the price was fair. Make sure you compare at least five and narrow it down until you find the ultimate one.
4. Quality of Staff
As you browse options of care for seniors, you must consider the employees. Staff members must be certified and have had experience in the field. Further, the agency should ask their staff to have certifications, training, and have regular drug tests.
Note, if the agency isn’t comfortable sharing this information with you, then it’s a red flag.
5. Communication Skills
Whether the agency is caring for you or a loved one, they must be transparent throughout the process.
Have an in-person interview as it will show you whether the staff have empathy and are transparent. Note, poor communication skills mean the agency is incapable of providing adequate care for you or your loved one.
Our Tips for Choosing Home Care Agencies
Hopefully, after reading this article, you’re comfortable about choosing home care agencies for you or your loved one.
Start by factoring in the cost, available services, and the quality of the staff. You should also consider the agency’s communication skills and check reviews to determine whether they are worth your time and money. Good luck!
Found this article helpful? Awesome! Then check out the rest of our blog for more tips and tricks.
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