We all get older every day, that’s a fact. And some of us will get to a point where we can no longer take care of ourselves properly. We can’t safely do every-day tasks, we can’t handle simple tasks and we aren’t as mobile as we used to be. When this time comes, we must be prepared a plan for our long term care and how we approach it. It’s the right time to start considering home health aide agencies and what they have to offer. It’s not an easy decision, and everyone knows it, but there are numerous benefits to this type of service. They are professionals who are trained to help elderly patients, they have the right procedures and experience and you are in safe hands.
Aging at home is preferred by most people, and a good home health care agency is the best option for this. The problem is that there are a lot of service providers who offer this type of service. According to NAHC (National Association for Home Care), there are more than 33,000 home care agencies that are active in the United States. Some are freestanding private entities, while others are hospital-based or hospices. Either way, there are a lot of service providers to choose from.
How do you make the right choice? How do you make your decision? How to make sure you pick the best one? Let’s see some answers to these questions:
Finding the right home health aide agencies can be a challenge. Let’s see what you’ll need to do in order to find the best one for you or your elder loved ones:
Talk to your doctor, friends or family and ask for advice
The first thing you’ll have to do is to talk to people who already know you and your situation. Friends and family know you, know what you need and what your preferences are. They are good to talk to about this sensitive topic because they offer honest feedback. The people you trust are the best ones to ask advice from and you should value their opinion. Also, your doctor is an excellent source of information on this topic. Your doctor knows your case closely, knows precisely what your medical condition is and what type of service you may need. Also, doctors know the medical profession and may know which home health aide agencies are better and which suits you best. What’s more, your doctor will definitely have some interaction with the agency during your recovery.
Talk to your family about the needs you have, what type of services you want and how they can help you cover some of them. In some cases, patients may prefer that some of their needs be covered by their family – for instance, housekeeping, dressing or bathing. Decide which of these services should be done by an agency and which should be done by your family. Coordination in these cases is critical, so make sure there is plenty of communication on this subject.
What are your specific needs?
As soon as you talked to everyone involved in the process, it’s time to decide precisely what type of services you need. Make sure you include every type of service, what exactly it does or doesn’t include, in what conditions and how often. Think about the type of assistance you need, the type of daily living activities you need help with and how much can you do by yourself.
Some of the activities of daily living (ADLs) which are considered self-care tasks include:
- getting dressed
- bathing and showering
- personal hygiene and grooming,
- using the toilet and toilet hygiene
- mobility – getting around the house and using simple objects
- eating – self-feeding
Determine your budget
This is a tricky topic, but it must be discussed before looking for the right home health aide agencies. You have to know precisely how much you can spend on these services. How much you can afford to pay determines the type and the quality of services you will receive, so make sure you include everything you can. Explore every source of money that you can direct to these services and estimate the amount of money you can spend every month. This should be done before approaching any health aide agencies home.
If you are on a tight budget, you can get help from Medicare or Medicaid or other types of health insurance. Also, you may use your long-term disability insurance. Talk to your family and doctor about the costs related to home care services and how you can get more funds for your needs. Another way to get more funds is by getting another mortgage on your home or selling it.
Finding the right home health aide agency for you
There are multiple ways to find the right agency for you. Here are some resources to try:
- referrals – these may come from your doctor, your family or friends; they are ideal if they have experience with similar cases; the referrals are especially reliable if they come from your loved ones
- home care directories – there are many online directories that include the best home care agencies in your area; consult them and check for reviews, opinions and what other people have to say about them; if you find what you are looking for, ask your doctor whether they are reliable; always ask around multiple times before signing the contract
- your area’s agency on aging – check with your local agency on aging which are the best health aide agencies home and which is best for your needs; as usual, talk to your doctor ask for a second opinion before signing the deal;
Interview and visit the home care agencies
As soon as you have several agencies on your list, it’s time to interview them or visit them. Most agencies will have a person who will gladly pay a visit to your home and explain their services and special offers. They will explain what they are offering and ask what your needs are. This is the best opportunity to ask questions, determine the costs, the offers and ask for specific information about health aide agencies home services.
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