Choosing a Home Care Agency

You don’t take chances when it comes to your health or the health of a loved one. So when your or their health is compromised, all of the treatment options can seem overwhelming. Luckily, there is a solution – in-home care. Regardless of their situation, many patients find that they prefer to stay in the familiar surroundings of home. Whether 24-hour clinical care is needed or just assistance with things around the home, home care providers can help.

Home care services are an excellent option for individuals who need medical attention or even non-medical assistance with daily activities, but would rather receive this care in the comfort of home. Coordinating home medical equipment, attending to disabilities and chronic illnesses, and performing personal care are just a few of the tasks that caregivers can perform in the home. Caregivers are often available on an as-needed basis, with no minimum time constraints. These services are a particularly helpful solution when a family caregiver is unable or unavailable to assist with the patient’s needs.

Whether it’s you or your loved one that requires home healthcare services, choosing the right home care agency to fulfill your specific care needs is essential. Once you acquire the names of several providers, you will want to learn more about all of the services they provide and the reputations they have developed as a result.

Reputation, Licensing, and Accreditation

When it comes to choosing a home care company, there are many facets to consider. First and foremost, you should ensure that the company employs highly trained and professional caregivers. After all, the company you select is going to supply you with a caregiver who will have direct contact with you or your loved one. You want to make sure that your caregiver is compassionate and trustworthy, and above all, compatible with your needs. So insist that you meet him or her prior to hiring. Ask about qualifications and credentials, as well as their previous home care service experiences.

In addition to providing thoroughly screened and qualified caregivers, reputable home care companies have the proper certification and accreditation for their state and types of services offered. Inquire about these certifications and services to guarantee that your needs will be met.

Working with a home healthcare company that is licensed in your state, and/or accredited by a national body, is an indicator that they are a trusted home care provider that is held to higher standards than what is required by the state or federal government. In some states, licensing is not required for companion (non-medical) services. If a company is not licensed for that reason, be sure to ask that company if they follow rules and procedures similar to licensed medical providers. Home care organizations such as Moravia Health that have earned accreditation are more committed to maintaining the quality of services they provide.

All Moravia Health offices are licensed, as required, and accredited.

Meeting your needs

Before hiring a caregiver, the first thing you should do is to write out a list of your needs. That way, when talking to a company you can compare your needs to what they provide. Talk to the provider about who is responsible for the care you receive. Are you overseeing the caregiver or does the home healthcare company provide a clinician or case manager to oversee care? Review all skills necessary for your care. If you are seeking skilled medical care, review all necessary skills that your caregiver may need and all tasks they may need to perform. This will ensure you are matched up with the ideal caregiver.

In addition, before hiring an agency, ask about the continuity of care. Do they offer an in-home visit? Do they work closely with the caregiver to help provide the best service? Will they supply a new caregiver should the one provided not suit your needs? Let’s face it, sometimes personalities don’t mesh well. It is important, as the patient, that you feel as comfortable as possible. Ensuring that a home care company will work with you to fit your needs is extremely important. Don’t be afraid to ask a company how they handle these difficult situations.

Background Checks, References, and Reliability

When a caregiver comes into your home, you want to ensure it is someone you can trust. Therefore, it is advised to work with a home care company that does thorough screening and background checks of its employees. Find out if the company you hire goes beyond basic certification checks and also does criminal background checks, skills tests, or verification of residency and credentials. Moravia Health adheres to the highest standards for hiring our staff. Each candidate is carefully interviewed and thoroughly screened to ensure our patients have peace of mind that they are receiving the highest level of care available.

Emergency/Contingency Plans

It is important to investigate what resources are available in an emergency. Should you need immediate service or replacement caregiver should your regular caregiver fall ill or have an emergency, ensuring continuity of care is vital. Therefore, it is essential to find a home care company that can provide service 24-hours a day, 7 days a week, and will find a replacement for your caregiver should that be necessary.

Also, if your situation drastically changes, some home care companies even provide caregivers to you or your loved one in an assisted living facility. The ultimate goal is to give you quality care in the environment that’s most comfortable. Determine this information upfront to save you the trouble of finding a new company if you or your loved one ultimately needs more specialized care.

Training

When searching for a home care company, look for a company that provides training for its healthcare professionals and office staff. For example, Moravia Health provides training for and tests all healthcare professionals, but also provides training to its office staff on patient privacy, among other things. It is important to find a home care agency that you can trust not only with your care but also with your privacy.