Caregivers Direct   

“SELECTING THE RIGHT HOME CARE SERVICES”

With the tremendous growth in popularity of home care services, finding the right home care agency can be a huge undertaking. While the job can seem daunting, selecting the right agency can make the difference in finding the right caregiver and being able to afford to have enough service to meet the demands required by the person in need.   Use the following guidelines to help select the right home care service:

Ask the home care agency:

·                    How long have you been in business?

A)     An agency with an established track record has the experience required to handle most situations.

·                    How do you screen your caregivers?

A)    Caregivers should all have a face to face interview with at least two separate individuals, criminal background checks, references checked with no gaps in their employment.

·                    How do you select a caregiver for each client?

A)     The agency should know each caregivers strengths and weaknesses and match them with each client to the best of their ability. Their focus should go beyond just the physical needs of the care recipient to include emotional needs and likes. A holistic approach also looks for ways to improve the lives of every person involved, family , friends and neighbors, not just the single individual

·                    Do I have to sign a contract?

A)     Most agencies do not require a contract specifying any length of time requirements.

·                    What happens if I do not like the caregiver you send?

A)     The agency should happily replace the person and keep doing so until you are satisfied. If the agency asks the right questions before staffing the case, there should be very little need to send in replacements.

·                    How quickly can I get a caregiver started?

A)    Agencies should be able to staff a case wit-in 24 hours or sooner.

·                    What kind of duties can the caregiver perform?

A)    Activities of daily living should be the minimum amount of service performed. Visit www.familychoicecares.com and select “services” for a more detailed list of services.

·                    What happens if the caregiver gets sick?

A)    An emergency service should be prepared to send in a replacement immediately.

·                    What are the costs?

A)    Find out the cost for hourly and live-in services, if there is a different rate for weekends and if there are any other upfront charges.

·                    Are emergency or after-hour call services available?

A)    You should be able to speak with a live person after hours, not just leave a message on a machine.

You and your loved one should feel comfortable that the home care company you choose is the right one for you.  Take your time when  you make initial contact with the home care company.  Ask as many questions as you can think of.  Homecare companies are there to help you and should be understanding of your specific needs and  concerns.