More and more people live longer today than at any other time in history. The baby boomer population continues to age, as does the number of seniors receiving part-time or full-time senior home care. Over 25,000 agencies in the United States provide home care services and non-medical nursing aide assistance to senior citizens, citizens with disabilities, and people who have been injured in accidents.
What does an at-home care provider do?
They can make it possible for seniors and people with physical challenges to remain in their own home while receiving the personal care they need, as well as provide companionship and someone to help them with daily tasks. Personal care can include dressing and bathing, as well as grooming and helping one "move around the house", as well as provide incontinence management. Daily tasks can include light housekeeping, doing the laundry, shopping, preparing meals, and escorting the senior to doctor appointments. The added benefit of nurse aide care and senior care is that the nurse aide can also provide companionship, a much needed friend, and someone who can listen and understand the needs of the senior or person with physical challenges.
If you or your aging parent or loved one is interested in receiving at-home care, several options exist to fit your personal needs. Nurse aides are available for as little as four hours a week or as much as 24-hours a day, making it possible to find caring nurse aides to provide geriatric care and senior companionship, where and when it is needed.
At-home living assistance can also help seniors and people with physical challenges stay at-home, in the comfort of their own environment, and it can sometimes be a more viable and affordable option than nursing care. According to Andrea Seewald, LSW, RG, President of The Care Registry and Senior Care Consultants in Pittsburgh, PA, "Care Managers can often help the family save money, by helping people remain at home, connecting them to services and/or receiving entitlements". Ms. Seewald goes on to say, "Seldom does one NEED to go to a nursing home! Most care needed by older adults is for assistance with normal daily tasks. An aide or companion can help with these tasks".
Choosing a Home Care Provider - What factors should one consider?
1) Determine the location
There are several methods to find a provider, and one of the first options is to conduct a search on the Internet. One way to use the Internet is to "Google" the term "home care" + your city and state. This will give you a listing of all the home care agencies close to your home, or your loved one's home. You will then be able to go to the website, find a phone number, and locate the home care agency on a map.
Depending on the size of your city or town, many listings may appear in the search results and even if the care agency does not have a website, the agency may still be listed with an address and a phone number.
Some care providers are national companies or franchises, while many others are local, privately-owned businesses. Local home care agencies will typically be less expensive than national companies or franchises.
2) Check References
Does the care provider list testimonials on their website? Do they have a good reputation around town? One way to find out is to ask the care provider for a list of references, or read the written testimonials on their website. Before you choose a nurse aide service you should always check the references of families who have benefited from the providers' services in order to determine the quality of services they provide.
3) Do a Cost-Comparison
Call three or four agencies and find out how much they charge for home care services. The slightest difference in hourly rates could make a big impact on your monthly bill. Some home care providers will list their hourly rates on their website. Average rates for nurse aides range from $13-$20 per hour.
4) Inquire About Nurse Aide Shift-Changes
If you or your loved-one requires live-in home care, several options may exist for how the nurse aides change shifts. If the home care provider offers only one-shift change per week, this can add up in cost-savings. It can also eliminate a lot of confusion that occurs when there are three different nurse aides moving in and out of the house in one 24-hour period, as opposed to one care giver or nurse aide who stays for three to four days at a time.
5) Legal Matters
Find out if the home care agency is licensed and bonded in your state. This shows legitimacy and trustworthiness, as well as protects you from theft, incompetency, and illegal practices.
6) Interview the Agency
If possible, sit down with the home care provider and explain your situation and your needs, so that they may do an assessment and know your home care situation needs. Tell them about your physical challenges, or your loved one's physical challenges, as well as your daily routines, your daily errands and tasks, your personal preferences about cleanliness, and your general household layout. This will enable the care provider to find the nurse aide that is right for your environment and possibly, your personality. If a home care provider is not willing to listen your needs and concerns, they are most likely not the right care provider for you.
Choosing a provider is not like choosing any other type of service; you must ensure the person, agency, or both, is the right fit for you or your loved one. This will eliminate problems that may arise down the road if expectations are not clearly marked.
Janelle Jacobs is a writer in Pittsburgh, PA with interests in thecareregistry.com senior care and healthy living.
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