When it is time for your aging parents to receive help at home, it is a hard subject to discuss for families. Most adults value their independence and for seniors they treasure it even more. At the same time, most seniors would prefer to remain at home instead of moving to a facility. Based on this fact, choosing the right home care assistance provider is vital to make the transition easier to accept for your loved one. Below are a few factors you should consider when selecting home care options.

Do Your Research

When locating home care options, make sure the agency screens their workers thoroughly. The right home care assistance agency will conduct thorough background checks, drug testing, and training to make sure that their staff is fully equipped and qualified to care for seniors with various medical conditions and needs.

You’ll also want to know whether the company staffs certified nursing assistants, independent contractors, etc. The most crucial factor is that workers are capable of providing care to the elderly, while maintaining safety and security.

Lastly, see if the home care assistance company has a good protocol for finding replacement home health aides or nurses in the event that someone cancels at the last-minute or in emergencies.

Understand the Cost

For most families, money is an important factor in selecting a home care service provider. Families worry about the ongoing expense of hiring someone on a regular basis because most bill on an hourly basis. While some opt to hire someone independently, this is potentially dangerous because even a standard background check may not uncover past negligent or abusive behavior. With the help of a home care agency, many use an advanced background check, including a national criminal records search that digs a little deeper into the history of their workers. Take this into account when you explore alternative routes to saving money on home care assistance.

Know Your Payment Options

Paying for home care is challenging for some, especially if you have to pay out-of-pocket. If your parent has Medicare or Medicaid, you’ll want to call and find out if they cover the expense of home care services as it varies from state to state. Some other payment options include long-term care insurance, VA financial assistance for veterans, state and local programs, and other government funding alternatives. As a caregiver, understanding what payment and/or funding options are available to seniors requires due diligence.

The key is research when considering your home care assistance options. Not all are the same and each agency offers specific services. If you want to learn more about our home care services, contact Capital City Nurses for more information.