Vetting a private home care provider is an important part of ensuring that you’re getting the best care for your elderly parent. At Miami Valley Homecare, we can help you get started in the process by providing you with some questions that you can ask before hiring a provider. Read our guide below for seven questions we’ve assembled for you.
Is your agency insured?
No matter how much time a care provider spends with your parent, there’s always a chance that something can go wrong and somebody can get hurt. If the care provider’s agency doesn’t have them covered with insurance, you or your parent could be on the hook for paying medical bills. Verify that the agency or individual is insured, so you don’t have to worry about a potential injury on their part.
How long has your agency been providing home care?
Not all home care agencies have the same amount of experience. While you might find a new agency that provides incredible care, it’s nice to work with a company that’s established. Not only are they stable, but policies and procedures have also been put in place for several years, and their teams often aren’t learning on the job. While there might be a need to adjust a policy, an established company understands how to implement policy changes into daily care.
Does your supervisor provide direction in care?
Putting together a care plan for an individual isn’t always easy. No two people are exactly the same, so there’s not going to be a single care plan that works for everyone. Supervisors sometimes have more practical experience than those who are providing the actual care, so they can provide an outside opinion when developing a plan. There’s nothing wrong with asking about care coordination within the agency to ensure that your parent is getting the best care available.
Are you required to complete ongoing training?
Standards and techniques for care can change. Additionally, it can be beneficial for a care provider to get a refresher on emergency protocols and procedures that aren’t used often, like CPR, as these skills are necessary but can sometimes fade without use. Agencies and care providers who understand this will always have your parent’s best interests in mind by performing ongoing training and re-certification as necessary.
What expenses are included with care?
Providing care for anyone is going to come with inherent costs. It’s not uncommon for seniors to have additional needs that need to be met. Equipment like oxygen, incontinence pads, or even transportation will be additional costs on top of what you’re paying for care. Find out what equipment and services will be included with what you’re already paying for care.
Are you contracted with Medicaid or Medicare?
Finding a home care provider who’s contracted with Medicaid or Medicare is essential to ensuring that your parent’s care is affordable. Make sure that your parent is taking advantage of their insurance benefits by working with companies that are contracted with them. If they have private insurance plans, verify that the agency is contracted with the insurance company and falls into specific requirements for coverage. You would hate to get a month’s worth of home care only to find out that none of it was covered by insurance.
Can you provide references?
You can get to know a lot about a care provider by speaking with people with whom they have worked in the past. Ask if there are a few people you can have a short conversation with to find out more about their approach to care, what it’s like working with them, and if they’re reliable. After all, you want to make sure that your parent is getting the best available care.
Get in touch for answers
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at Miami Valley Homecare for answers to these questions and any others you might have. You can contact us by calling 937-671-2273 or sending a message via our online contact form. We look forward to hearing from you.
