Health

Here Are 4 Factors to Consider When Choosing a Home Care Agency

Steffy Alen 3 years ago 3 min read

Old lady in glasses sitting in a wheelchair and smiling at her nurse

According to some CDC reports, over 12k home care agencies are in the US. This means you will have a variety to choose from when you decide to look for one.

It goes without saying that home care agencies aren’t created the same. They may vary in services and credentials. So how can you determine which agency to choose and ensure it is reliable, such as Capital City Nurses? To choose the best home care agency, you might want to look at the following factors first:

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Services Offered

Generally, home care can be in the form of services. These include home care and health care services. Home care services are meant for people who don’t need or want medical care at home. They often include companionship services, like providing conversation and company to individuals who are isolated or housebound.

On the other hand, home health care services are offered by certified nursing assistants or nurses with medical licenses and training. This may cover services like Alzheimer’s and dementia care in Alexandria, VA and medication to be given daily. It may also include wound care and regular change of IV bag.

Reviews and References

Perhaps you didn’t like the services that a previous agency offered. Or maybe your loved one is hesitating to go down that route because they aren’t familiar with it. Whichever the case, a little research may fix anything.

Researching a potential home care agency will give you confidence in your chosen services. One common way to do this is to either read through online reviews or request client references from the service provider.

When going through online reviews, ensure you read comments that previous clients left behind and ask yourself questions, such as the following:

Were previous clients happy with the agency?
Do they give specific examples of how the service provider went beyond and above?
Do clients believe the cost of services to be worthwhile and fair?
Did previous clients hire the agency for a loved one or themselves?

Affordability

Engaging in quality health care services for a loved one can be very taxing on you as well as your family, especially when you need long-term care services.

But home care services come with benefits that outweigh the costs. For instance, quality services will relieve you of caregiver burnout and ensure your loved one gets quality care from a professional skilled caregiver.

When making your decision, determine the amount you will be able to afford and check with agencies that may provide you with services at a reasonable cost.

Staff Credentials

Because you are either putting your dad or mum in the care of another person, you might be curious about the staff’s credibility coming to your home.

In order to ensure quality care and safety, ask about the credentials of the staff or check whether the agency has it included on their site.

Final Touches!

Choosing the best home care service provider for your loved one requires considering several factors. By prioritizing their needs and assessing the services/experiences of a potential agency, you will be able to make a good decision.