While home care is not something we look forward to with an aging parent, it’s sometimes necessary to ensure that they’re getting the care they need at an advanced age. Searching for proper home care nursing services near you can be a long and arduous process. With what seems like endless phone calls and internet searches, you might not even be sure what to look for in a care agency. At Miami Valley Homecare, we can help by providing seven things that you should look for in a provider.
Medicare/Medicaid certification
Any American over the age of 65 is eligible for Medicare coverage. Additionally, those who fit within a specific income bracket can qualify for Medicaid. Home care is expensive and it’s crucial that you find a service that is certified to provide care that’s approved with Medicare and Medicaid. If not, you could end up paying these bills on your own. Furthermore, these government programs establish standards of care that ensure that your loved one is getting the help that they need.
Staff credentials
It’s easy for a company to find someone who’s willing to come to sit with an elderly parent all day. Though, there’s much more that goes into home care than simply serving as a companion. Care professionals should be licensed and certified to perform necessary tasks that are a part of home care. Check with your care agency to make sure their staff has the credentials that they need to provide proper care for your parent.
Reviews
You can learn a lot about a company by reading reviews from previous clients. While there are likely to be outliers on both the positive and negative end of the spectrum, read what people have to say who have worked with the home care agency in the past.
Availability
Not all patients require round-the-clock home care, but it’s still important to make sure that the proper amount of care is available when you need it. If your loved one needs assistance in the middle of the night when a caregiver isn’t present, you should be able to call someone to get help with providing your own care. Additionally, your parent might eventually require 24-hour care. In this case, it’s good to go with an agency that is already equipped with this service so you don’t have to change later.
Specialized care services
Everyday tasks like making the bed, sweeping, and cleaning the house get increasingly difficult with age. Moreover, conditions that are common in advanced age like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s make day-to-day tasks much more cumbersome. Your home care provider should offer specialized care services to meet the needs of your parent if these conditions develop or progress with age.
Accreditation
Make sure the home care nursing services you go with are recognized by an accrediting agency. Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC) and the Community Health Accreditation Program (CHAP) are just two agencies that provide this documentation. Agencies must meet strict standards in patient care and general excellence in order to be granted accreditation from such agencies.
Unique care plans
No two people are alike. The same goes for care plans. It’s important that the care agency you decide on has a unique care plan for your loved one to provide them with the best level of care to fit their needs.
Request an assessment
With Miami Valley Homecare, you can feel comfortable with the level of care and treatment that your parent is receiving with our home care nursing services. Give us a call or send a message to request an assessment with our team today.
