How to Choose Quality Home Care for Seniors

Maintaining independence is important as a person ages. Being able to stay at home with familiar surroundings is beneficial for a person to live a positive lifestyle as they grow older. Finding an appropriate agency to provide care will afford a senior the opportunity to live a safer and happier life in their own home.

Instructions

• 1

  Determine the type of care needed. There are different types of care available and it is important to understand which type will most benefit the senior. Needs to consider include transportation, length of care (short or long term), homemaking, medication reminders and activities of daily living (bathing, grooming, and oral care).

• 2

  Review financial obligations. Some agencies may not accept all types of insurance. Certain Medicare plans help cover home health care. Be aware of costs before signing with an agency so that the bills do not come as a surprise later.

• 3

  Provide appropriate medical documentation. If a doctor ordered the home care, a prescription or certain paperwork will be necessary to register for home care.

• 4

  Research the agency to make sure they are an appropriate match for the senior. Contact the local Agency on Aging for references -- see the link in Resources.

• 5

  Ask questions of the agency providing the home care to make sure they provide the services you need. Do they offer therapy or nursing services? Do they have the staff available to provide the care the doctor ordered? Can they provide the hours of care and can they start when needed? Does the agency require background checks for the staff? Do they provide reference letters from satisfied patients or family members? Do they explain what your insurance covers as well as out of pocket costs? Are they Medicare certified?

• 6