Knowing the right questions to ask can help you make informed decisions about in-home care assistance.
Discovering the right care solution for a senior family member is one of the most important, as well as overwhelming, decisions you’ll face. Ensuring the safety and security of the older adult is extremely important, but there are some other considerations as well, for example, if the older adult’s quality of life and capacity to thrive and remain independent will be a priority.
AARP provides an insightful checklist of questions to ask when investigating in-home care assistance options, including:
- Is the agency licensed?
- What services are generally provided?
- How long before services can start?
- Are caregivers trained and knowledgeable?
- Is there a process set up for running background checks, bonding and insuring staff, supervision?
- What happens if a caregiver does not arrive on time (or at all)?
- Can another caregiver be requested because you do not like the one assigned?
- Are there any customer testimonials or reviews you are able to read?
- Will your loved one be given an individualized plan of care?
- How many years has the agency been in business?
It’s also important to confirm that the caregiver is a hired employee from a trustworthy agency, as opposed to a contractor referred by a registry service, or an individual hired through a classified ad, because:
- Taxes as well as other necessary federal and state requirements are covered. Hiring a caregiver independently makes YOU the employer, which means you will be responsible for all taxes, unemployment insurance, worker’s compensation, etc., and, you would be liable for medical as well as other expenses in the event the caregiver were to become injured on the job. A professional home care agency assumes the role of employer for its caregivers, alleviating these concerns for older adults and their loved ones.
- Extensive vetting and supervision of caregivers increases safety. Sadly, the risk of exploitation and abuse of seniors is heightened when using the services of an independent caregiver, whether financial, physical, or emotional. Respected home care agencies offer supervision as well as extensive background and reference checks, bonding and insurance, as well as other safeguards to protect senior loved ones. Not only that, but in case a senior’s primary caregiver is ill or takes a break for vacation, a similarly trained and trusted substitute caregiver is provided.
- Initial and ongoing training contribute to caregiver excellence. Agencies that offer comprehensive training for their care staff ensure that skills are constantly as sharp as they possibly can be, and that any new techniques established in the industry are applied – meaning an increased standard of care over an independent caregiver who does not have access to the same opportunities for career development.
At Absolute Companion Care, we’re happy to meet each of these criteria and many more. As a proud member of the Briggs Home Care family of agencies, local families have turned to our compassionate home and respite care in Baltimore since 2006 to meet the varied needs of their loved ones – from companionship and light housekeeping assistance to chronic and emerging health issues, and everything in between. We take satisfaction in making sure our team receives ongoing caregiver training, so you can feel confident in knowing our caregivers are top notch and constantly improving their skills, while providing the safe, dependable, and compassionate care needed to make life the best it can be.
If you’re looking for one of the best home care agencies in Baltimore, MD and the surrounding areas, reach out to us at 410-357-9640. We’d love the opportunity to answer any additional questions you may have about our top-rated in home care assistance in Baltimore, MD and to schedule a free in-home consultation.