Insights
the blog of Porter HillsHiring a Quality Care Agency
Jessica Mays
Nursing Clinical Manager, Porter Hills Home Care
Navigating a loved one’s aging process can be a very difficult situation. When your loved one can no longer care for themselves, it is time to seek help. But what kind of care environment is the best choice for your family?
What are some options in the community to help with this decision?
- Home Healthcare agency or Private Duty Agency
- Assisted Living Facilities
- Nursing Home Facilities
- Adult Daycare Providers
Your loved one’s health situations will play a huge factor in the decision making process. Have a conversation with your loved one and family to determine what the appropriate care environment is.
What is the difference in the options listed above?
Assisted Living campuses are more for the beginning stages of aging. This is where your loved may need little or no assistance with their daily living activities. This is a great resource to start with due to the fact that many assisted living facilities can transition your loved one as their health decreases. The transition would be to their Nursing Home. This allows 24 hour care to your loved one. A nursing home will provide full daily living care to your loved one.
Home health agencies or Private duty agencies can keep your aging loved one in their home. For example you could hire a Private Duty aide to come into the home and do light housekeeping, meal preparation, and medication reminders. The Private Duty aide could also assist with personal care tasks as well. The aide can assist your loved one to any appointments needed or even to the grocery store. Having a Private duty aide in the home will bring comfort to the family and your loved one.
Adult Daycare Providers are also a solution for many families. If your loved one lives with you or you just need peace of mind when you are gone for the day, you may bring your loved one to an Adult day care center. You would drop them off at the center and then return later that day to pick them up. At the Adult daycare center your loved one will be cared for as if they were home with you.
How do you know which Home care agency to choose?
There are numerous agencies out in the community. What are some good questions to ask while researching the best fit for your loved one?
- Do they provided a clinical nursing support staff?
- Do they except Long Term Care insurance?
- What training do they provide to the caregivers and nurses?
- Do they provide a 24/7 staff/client support?
The aging process is such difficult time. Please take the time to have these discussions with your family before it is a necessity.
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