Checklist for Choosing Home Care Providers

The subject of home care providers is a common issue these days when caring for the elderly. The details of how to approach elderly home care is not always simple and choosing home care providers can be difficult. The type and degree of home care providers varies with every situation. There are a number of questions that should be answered so that you know what services from the home care providers are required.

Home care providers for the elderly can fit your needs depending upon your situation and budget. Make a list of the specific needs of elderly care you are looking for and questions to ask the home care providers.

Home Care Providers Checklist:

• Rehabilitation/Therapy- Physical or occupational therapy required, improving or retaining function (range of motion, physical therapy following an injury), speech therapy or help swallowing (due to a stroke, Parkinson's disease or ALS) respiratory therapy, or help getting around the house or using assistive equipment?
• Household Chores- Help to do simply chores and prepare meals.
• Personal Care Assistance -Assistance for personal hygiene, bathing, eating, dressing, lifting, and getting out of bed.
• Nighttime Care- Elderly care for hours in the night in case of emergency.
• Transportation Assistance- Provide for transportation to appointments, shopping, activities. Special transportation needs for wheelchair assistance.
• Companionship- Personal companionship to combat loneliness and memory loss.

Questions to ask the Home Care Providers:

• How are their employees chosen and screened to be home care providers and what are their qualifications?
• How long has your agency been home care providers? Do you have references?
• Can your agency provide the services I need as home care providers? Can a medical evaluation or consultation be done? Are there regular consultation follow-up and service evaluation meetings?
• What is the minimum and maximum number of hours per visit that is required?
• Is your agency bonded and have appropriate insurance for home care providers to cover theft and malpractice?
• What are your fees? Talk extensively about fees and what is included and what is considered as extra charges and overtime. Is Medicare and Insurance accepted? Find out what your coverage is through your insurance providers and cross reference coverage.

Quality home care providers will be prepared to help you through the process of evaluating your elderly care needs. They will have the answers to these basic questions. Choosing the right home care providers is important to your piece of mind and to the quality of care that your loved one is receiving. You want only the best home care providers to help you along the way.

Bio: Linda Dunkelberger is a freelance writer and editor working for Visiting Angels, (www.visiting angels.com). The article "Checklist for Choosing Home Care Providers" gives you a checklist for questions to ask yourself and home care providers when looking for elderly care in the home. Visiting Angels provide living assistance services and home care services in homes across America.