A Practical Guide to Selecting A Practical Guide to Selecting the Right Home Care Servicethe Right Home Care Service

Home care is a growing trend Home care is a growing trend

Remaining at home has it’s advantages Remaining at home has it’s advantages

– 82% of Americans wish to remain in 82% of Americans wish to remain in their homes forever*their homes forever*

*AARP*AARP

A Guide To Home A Guide To Home HealthcareHealthcare

Selecting the right caregivers Selecting the right caregivers for your family.for your family.

Points to consider to receive Points to consider to receive the best care possible.the best care possible.

Do Your HomeworkDo Your Homework

Before you call, know Before you call, know what your care needs are. what your care needs are.

Paint a realistic picture of Paint a realistic picture of the patient’s needs.the patient’s needs.

What Do I Need ?What Do I Need ?

Skilled medical assistanceSkilled medical assistance

TransportationTransportation

Companion or hands-on Companion or hands-on carecare

Cooking and light Cooking and light housework housework

What Type of What Type of Caregiver Do I Need ?Caregiver Do I Need ?

Specialized training Specialized training

Multilingual Multilingual

Interview the Agency Interview the Agency

To protect yourself and your loved ones from To protect yourself and your loved ones from potential liability, be sure to ask about and potential liability, be sure to ask about and consider the following points when selecting a consider the following points when selecting a home care agency. home care agency.

Interview the Agency Interview the Agency

Registered Nurse on staff Registered Nurse on staff

– Conduct a thorough assessment Conduct a thorough assessment

– Individualized Plan of Care Individualized Plan of Care

– AvailabilityAvailability

Interview the Agency Interview the Agency

Service Agreement Service Agreement

– Rates and minimums Rates and minimums

– Types of servicesTypes of services

– Weekends / Holidays Weekends / Holidays

Interview the AgencyInterview the Agency

Levels of care Levels of care

– Medical or non-Medical or non-medical medical

Staff supervision by an Staff supervision by an RNRN

Interview the AgencyInterview the Agency

Employees licensed, bonded and insured Employees licensed, bonded and insured

Taxes and withholding Taxes and withholding

Caregiver / Patient matchCaregiver / Patient match

Caregiver calls in sick Caregiver calls in sick

Interview the AgencyInterview the Agency

Staff screeningStaff screening

– References References

– Background check Background check

– Drug screeningDrug screening

Emergency preparednessEmergency preparedness

Interview the AgencyInterview the Agency

Caregiver consistencyCaregiver consistency

Cancellation policy Cancellation policy

– PenaltiesPenalties

Make daily / weekly schedule Make daily / weekly schedule

Food preferencesFood preferences

Activities / hobbiesActivities / hobbies

Medications, emergency Medications, emergency contacts & doctorscontacts & doctors

Before a New Before a New Caregiver StartsCaregiver Starts

Remember That You Remember That You are the Customer !!are the Customer !!

FeedbackFeedback

CommunicateCommunicate

– Helps everyone settle in quicklyHelps everyone settle in quickly

Live-in CaregiversLive-in Caregivers

Convenient and cost-effectiveConvenient and cost-effective

Require some time off and private Require some time off and private space for meals, sleeping and space for meals, sleeping and groominggrooming

Shift Work Caregivers Shift Work Caregivers

Do not sleep Do not sleep

Do not require their own Do not require their own bedroom or bathroombedroom or bathroom

Questions ???Questions ???