How to Choose the Right Home Health Care Solution

Making the Best Choice for Your Loved One

If you’re already considering how to support yourself or an aging family member, you already know there are dozens of options available in assisted living and home care. The vast offerings can be overwhelming, and the differences between home care agencies aren't always obvious. How can you make sure to choose the best care provider for you or your loved one?

Which Services Do You Need?

A smart first move is to start a dialogue with your family about what type—and how much—assistance is required. Does your mother need a live-in caregiver who will be present 24 hours a day? Would your father prefer a nursing aide who will visit just a few times each week? Are you looking for a physical therapist to help speed up recovery after surgery or a stroke? Will your diabetic parent need a nurse to visit every day, or only a few days a week? Do you want a companion and homemaker to help your loved one feel more connected with the world?

These are key questions you and your family need to think about before you start looking for a care agency. Some agencies offer home aides and companions, while others focus on medical and therapeutic support. Some services, like Allegiance, provide all of the above.

Finding the Best Home Care Solutions

Once you have an idea of the type and frequency of care you want, it's time to consider potential providers. There may be dozens of agencies offering home care in your area, and you can learn a lot about them online, but how can you determine which are the best?

Any home care agency can publish glowing testimonials on their website or in their promotional materials. The real test of a service is the feedback you can get from unbiased review websites, consumer organizations, and in the healthcare community. Ask your doctor or other health experts for a recommendation - they may have inside information on quality home health care providers.

You'll also want to call your insurance provider to find out which services are covered under your policy. They may also be able to direct you to reputable home care agencies they've worked with in the past.

Once you've narrowed down the choices to a short list of candidates, it's time to call each of the agencies and "interview" them. Prepare a list of questions -- don't be shy about asking things like how long an organization has been in business, the kinds of services they offer, professional organizations they belong to, and the qualifications and background checks required of their staff.

If all goes well, you'll be depending on these people to protect your loved one's health and safety for a long time to come. Gather as much information as possible to ensure their quality of life and your peace of mind.