volkersystems
Very often, family caregivers realize they need help to take good care of their elderly loved one and with the rest of their responsibilities at work and at home. Nevertheless, it is not easy to leave someone you love in the hands of a stranger, because you never know if they will care as much as you do.
Here we give you 10 questions you should ask the homecare provider you are considering hiring, to ensure they will offer the best care and human quality possible:
1. How long has (company name) been in business?
The longer a home care provider has been active, the easier it will be to check their references and reputation through the Better Business Bureau, with local senior and healthcare service providers, at church, and talking to friends and family.
Good providers show higher staff retention rates, and so, their caregivers are more experienced and better trained.
2. Can you share with me information about your services and fees?
Besides helping you compare services and fees, the quality of the materials they give you will offer hints as to the attention the company pays to the details of its business. Remember to ask for references too.
3. How do you choose your caregivers?
The best providers employ caregivers who have enough experience and training but also a gift to serve and care for others. There is no gain in having a very experienced person if he or she is not compassionate and loving.
An agency must check and interview the candidates for criminal and other background information, for personality evaluations, interviews, and reference checks.
The provider must offer training for the caregivers who pass the screening process, and should ask them to follow a training plan to continue developing their skills.
4. Are the caregivers bonded and insured?
A serious provider will have coverage to protect your loved one and your family. They should carry professional and general liability insurance; they must bond their employees and cover them with workers’ compensation.
5. How are the caregivers supervised?
The provider must perform regular quality assurance calls and visits to ensure their caregivers are offering the best care possible. To be more certain, they should be thoroughly supervised by a certified company representative.
6. Will you do a home evaluation before starting the services?
This is vital because in this way, the provider can pinpoint the needs at home, and tell you if they can take care of them satisfactorily or if you have to make the adjustments. For example, your loved one may need a low air loss mattress system, bars installed in the bathroom, areas free of clutter, etc. You and, if possible, your loved one, must check all of these along with the provider.
7. Will you supply a written care plan from the beginning?
Having everything in writing prevents misunderstandings, and it will serve you as a guide when you have questions. It has to be done with your input and based on your needs, and it must allow for flexibility to make adjustments as your loved one’s needs change.
8. What happens if I don’t like the caregiver assigned to me?
If there is no chemistry, the provider must assign a different caregiver for the sake of everyone involved.
9. How do you handle emergencies?
The caregiver has to have a procedure to follow in case of an emergency, for example, if the lights go out, if there’s a snowstorm, or a natural disaster. The provider must offer 24/7 phone service for emergencies.
10. What’s the procedure when dealing with problems?
You should have clarity about how and who you have to contact in case you have a doubt, a concern, an issue, a request or a complaint.
Rachel Clarkson
Rachel Clarkson is a bed sores specialist and a big fan and promoter of “The Volkner Turning Mattress”: http://www.Volkner.com
Here we give you 10 questions you should ask the homecare provider you are considering hiring, to ensure they will offer the best care and human quality possible:
1. How long has (company name) been in business?
The longer a home care provider has been active, the easier it will be to check their references and reputation through the Better Business Bureau, with local senior and healthcare service providers, at church, and talking to friends and family.
Good providers show higher staff retention rates, and so, their caregivers are more experienced and better trained.
2. Can you share with me information about your services and fees?
Besides helping you compare services and fees, the quality of the materials they give you will offer hints as to the attention the company pays to the details of its business. Remember to ask for references too.
3. How do you choose your caregivers?
The best providers employ caregivers who have enough experience and training but also a gift to serve and care for others. There is no gain in having a very experienced person if he or she is not compassionate and loving.
An agency must check and interview the candidates for criminal and other background information, for personality evaluations, interviews, and reference checks.
The provider must offer training for the caregivers who pass the screening process, and should ask them to follow a training plan to continue developing their skills.
4. Are the caregivers bonded and insured?
A serious provider will have coverage to protect your loved one and your family. They should carry professional and general liability insurance; they must bond their employees and cover them with workers’ compensation.
5. How are the caregivers supervised?
The provider must perform regular quality assurance calls and visits to ensure their caregivers are offering the best care possible. To be more certain, they should be thoroughly supervised by a certified company representative.
6. Will you do a home evaluation before starting the services?
This is vital because in this way, the provider can pinpoint the needs at home, and tell you if they can take care of them satisfactorily or if you have to make the adjustments. For example, your loved one may need a low air loss mattress system, bars installed in the bathroom, areas free of clutter, etc. You and, if possible, your loved one, must check all of these along with the provider.
7. Will you supply a written care plan from the beginning?
Having everything in writing prevents misunderstandings, and it will serve you as a guide when you have questions. It has to be done with your input and based on your needs, and it must allow for flexibility to make adjustments as your loved one’s needs change.
8. What happens if I don’t like the caregiver assigned to me?
If there is no chemistry, the provider must assign a different caregiver for the sake of everyone involved.
9. How do you handle emergencies?
The caregiver has to have a procedure to follow in case of an emergency, for example, if the lights go out, if there’s a snowstorm, or a natural disaster. The provider must offer 24/7 phone service for emergencies.
10. What’s the procedure when dealing with problems?
You should have clarity about how and who you have to contact in case you have a doubt, a concern, an issue, a request or a complaint.
Rachel Clarkson
Rachel Clarkson is a bed sores specialist and a big fan and promoter of “The Volkner Turning Mattress”: http://www.Volkner.com