When you’re tasked with finding home care services for a loved one, you may be faced with making difficult decisions or complicated arrangements. Choosing the right type of home care services can help you feel more at ease during a challenging time. Nowadays, more and more families are opting for in-home care in Philadelphia rather than residential facilities and nursing homes.
With home care services, your loved one doesn’t have to uproot their life and move into an unfamiliar place. This option is a safe and affordable way to get your loved one the expert caregiving services they need in the comfort of their own home. In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about setting up the right home care service for your family.
What Can Home Care Services Offer?
In-home caregiving services are provided by fully trained and licensed individuals who come into the patient’s home to provide assistance with medical care or daily living tasks. Caregiving services can be completely tailored to your loved one’s needs. While some caregiving services are simply there to provide companionship, other home care providers in Philadelphia can help with administering medication and bathing or household tasks like cleaning and grocery shopping.
The right home care provider in Philadelphia will start your caregiving services process by offering an evaluation of your situation and help you to determine what services will be the best fit. Your home care provider in Philadelphia will then help you create a care plan and recommendations for services, which will be monitored and updated as needed. From there, the provider will work with your family physician to ensure all care requirements are being met.
How Do I Choose the Right Home Care Services Provider?
When it’s time to select a home care services provider for your loved one, you’ll likely have many options to choose from. But not every home care provider in Philadelphia will be the best fit for your family. Here are a few steps to take to help you choose the right one.
Determine Your Needs
It will help to have a general idea of what services you need before you begin looking for a home care services provider. The services offered will vary from provider to provider and can be vastly different, so you will save yourself time by not calling on a provider that can’t meet your needs. If you’re working with your loved one’s physician or hospital caregiving staff, ask them to summarize the care they recommend or even refer you to a provider they trust.
Know the Providers in Your Area
If you aren’t familiar with the home care service providers in your area, take some time to look around online. Your family physician may be able to give you a list of providers to get you started. Look at each home care service provider’s websites to get a better understanding of what they can provide and check for client testimonials. You may come away with a few home care service providers you’re really interested in calling or recognize a few providers that aren’t the best fit.
Put Your Loved One in Control
If possible, let your loved one be as involved as they’d like in choosing who will provide their caregiving services. When they reach the point of needing home care services, your loved one will be coping with the frustration of no longer being independent. By involving them in the process of selecting a provider and making a care plan, they’ll feel like they are retaining at least a little control over their own life.
Do a Deep-Dive on the Provider
Once you have a short list of potential home care service providers, start making phone calls and ask questions to help you get to know their business a little better. Here are a few questions to get you started.
· How long have they been operating and do they have any accreditations?
· How do they recruit and train their employees?
· How do they manage emergencies and other issues?
Most home care providers in Philadelphia will be happy to answer any questions you have to make you feel more comfortable with your decision. If you don’t like any of the responses you receive, move on to the next provider until you find the right one.
Interview Caregiving Service Providers
Once you find a home care provider in Philadelphia that feels like a good fit, ask to speak with a few of their caregivers who could be a potential in-home caregiver for your loved one. Since a caregiver will be spending a great deal of time at home with your loved one, you’ll want to make sure you are selecting someone you feel like you can trust. Invite potential caregivers to come into your home and meet with your loved one to make sure they seem compatible.
Choose Care & Help Home Care
Care & Help Home Care, LLC knows choosing a home care provider is a difficult decision. We’re committed to providing transparent and professional home care services for your loved ones. If you’re in need of home care in Philadelphia, contact us today.
