The Top Things to Look for When Choosing an Elder Home Care Provider

In the past decade, the U.S. 65-and-older population has grown by 34.2%—and experts expect that number will continue to rise. As the need to care for our older population rises, it’s no wonder that the home care industry is growing to match.

In a world where your options are increasing, how can you decide what senior care agency is right for you or your loved one? A little research can go a long way. If you’re searching for elder home care, look for these qualities!

Credentials

Home health agencies require a license or certification in most states. Do your research to make sure the company you choose meets all local requirements. If you cannot easily find information on their website about credentialing, that’s a red flag!

For serious medical care, a home health aide should be a registered nurse (RN) or licensed practical nurse (LPN). For companion-type care, aides should receive in-depth training in skills such as first aid, medication administration, and daily task assistance.

In addition, make sure the service provider you choose has extensive experience in the field of home care.

Referrals and Reviews

Online reviews or referrals from people you know can give you an inside look into a nursing home or home health agency. It can also save you from any surprises down the road.

Your doctor may also be able to refer you to the right service for geriatric care management. They can lead you to the right kind of care you need, whether that is assisted living or home health.

Variety of Services

Does your loved one need help bathing and managing pills, or do they simply need a little help around the house? Maybe they need specialized care, like in the instance of memory loss, dementia, or serious disability. The right home healthcare provider will be able to meet your specific needs.

The most common types of service are 3-hour home visits and 24-hour care, but you can also negotiate specialized hours. You will be able to outline exactly what you need, whether that is assistance with cooking and cleaning, or a friendly person to talk to for a while.

Customer Service

Customer service is a great indicator of a reliable company—especially when it comes to home health! In particular, you want to make sure that they offer 24/7 on-call assistance in case of emergency or changes in care needs.

In the same vein, interview home health aides before they begin delivering care. Make sure they get along well with your elderly loved one and any pets in the household as well.

Find the Best Elder Home Care Today

You want the best care for yourself or your aging loved one—so don’t skip out on doing your research! To find the best elder home care, look for credentials, referrals, services, and of course personality! If you take your time during this process, you can rest easy knowing your loved ones are in good hands.

Did this article help you out? If you want to read more informative posts like this, check out the health page on this site! There, you’ll find everything you need to know about elderly care and much more.