When having to decide about home care the only concern should be Care Home Fees.
There are two kinds of services: professional and companion care.
Professional or skilled care is mainly provided by agencies certified by Medicare. The services are usually less than 28 hours per week and not longer than 21 days in a row. The care provided is diagnosed according to the specific needs of the patient. This means that workers have some medical training to perform the duties required for the position.
In order to access to this kind of agencies you need to be qualifies as homebound. This means that, due to your medical condition, you can leave your house only to seek medical services and to attend religious ceremonies.
Professional home care workers may also help the patient with taking bath and getting dressed.
Before you choose an agency check not only Care Home Fees, but also check websites where you can get information and reviews. Check their accreditations. You will need an agency with accreditations if you want the insurance company to cover Care Home Fees.
Ask them to show you their survey for health and safety. Make sure the worker has relevant studies to your parent’s condition. You may also ask for references.
Companion care is also knows as custodial care. The service includes companionship, personal care such as bathing, dressing and basic housekeeping. There are ways to pay this kind of services by Medicaid waiver programs. But usually it is paid privately. People tend to hire unskilled people that happen to be looking for a job.
A better option is to hire an agency that provides this kid of service. That way you will be hundred percent sure that the worker is going to treat well the patient and will do the job perfectly.
Here you have to be a little bit picky on choosing one. Have into consideration:
How long has the agency been in business?, Is there a written plan that details services to be provided by each caregiver?, Do they provide documents about financial arrangements before service begins? It is important to have a contract where the rates and the kind of tasks to perform are very detail in order to avoid future problems.
Are the providers of care, insured? Is there a criminal background check preformed to the employees? Is there a policy regarding about replacing a sick employee?
Here, there are never too many questions to ask. Everything that comes into your mind, write it down and make it a questions later. It is important to know who you are letting into your house and what are they capable of doing.