Home care services range from skilled medical care to assistance with common daily household chores like cooking and taking out the garbage. If you are interested in Aged Home Care Services Camberwell, consider these questions to select the best caregiver for your particular needs. Home care agencies have different levels of experience, certifications and level of training. It’s important to work with an agency that can match your specific needs with their expertise. The following tips can help you find a good home care service:
Before making contact with any home care agencies, make sure you know what type of care is needed and when it will be needed. This allows you to find the right home care provider according to your loved ones’ needs and lifestyle. Ask for a free, no obligation quote and see if the agencies can provide it. After receiving a free, no obligation quote, compare the prices and services of home care agencies to determine which is the best choice for your loved one.
Once you have decided on a service, ask the agency how long they’ve been in business. An experienced agency will have been in business for at least three years, but even the oldest organization will have had time to grow and build a solid reputation as a trustworthy and effective home care provider. Ask about the services that the agency offers to make sure your loved one receives the right assistance. Can the agency take care of basic needs like cleaning, laundry, cooking and transportation? Can the agency provide therapy or behavioural management?
Create a caregiver’s care plan so everyone understands what’s expected. The family members’ care plan should include: who will be responsible for activities and special needs; how often the caregiver will be required; how much the caregiver is expected to spend; when the agency will begin and stop providing services; who will be responsible for making decisions concerning the condition of the patient; and any other information that complicates or adds to the care plan. Remember that everyone is entitled to a say in how their loved ones are treated. This includes both the family members and the caregivers.
As part of the screening process for hiring a caregiver, agencies conduct background checks. The background checks can be extensive and sometimes include a check with the county police department or state police. If possible, find out the outcome of the background checks and if they’re positive. It may be in your best interest to hire an in-home caregiver who has been subjected to a thorough background investigation.
Enlisting the help of a home health aide is another alternative for in-home care. This type of hiring option provides the most personalized care possible. This doesn’t mean, however, that the agency or caregiver is responsible for treating a patient with special needs. The patient’s medical history, mental health, medications and other issues must all be considered when assigning the caregiver responsibilities. Ask the agency about their particular requirements before hiring a specific caregiver.
A final option for hiring caregivers is to create a Care Planning and Retirement Agency (CPRAA) plan. CPRAA is designed to keep loved ones safe in their own homes as they age. CPRA plans can be implemented with the assistance of a trained agency. The agency establishes care plans for both the in-home caregiver and family members such as nannies and adult day care staff. When executed properly, a CPRAA plan will provide the elderly person with peace of mind as he or she ages.
While every agency and caregiver do conduct background checks, it’s still a good idea to take precautions. The most common way an agency checks out background information is by asking a potential caregiver for references. Some agencies conduct personal care background checks by contacting previous employers, friends, or school teachers to get information. A more thorough background check is performed by contacting state licensing boards, law enforcement agencies, and courthouses to obtain background information on the background of the potential care provider. The agencies mentioned above should all be able to provide you with the information needed to make an informed decision.
