HealthBridge's In-Home Care Blog

Home Care is confusing.  There are a million elder care providers out there, not to mention Fran from church and that lady who took care of Mr. Whatshisname. 

But this is your loved one we're talking about.  Any old caregiver just won't do.  You want someone who is kind, dependable, loving caring, a good listener, not to mention trustworthy, thoughtful and (did I mention?) dependable.   

I've written before about the qualities HealthBridge looks for in great home health caregivers, but once you've got those down, what's next? 

Well, there is the business of caregiving too.  When you're choosing a home care provider, you should absolutely, positively ask these ten questions: 

1. How long have you been providing home care services?
2. What types of insurance and public forms of assistance do you accept as payment?
3. Do you provide backup service in the event a caregiver is sick or doesn’t show up?
4. Are you licensed, bonded and insured and do you carry workers' comp?
5. Is there a care professional who, along with the client and family, develops an individualized plan of care?
6. How often are caregiver services supervised?
7. What kinds of training do you require of your caregivers?
8. How do you screen and select caregivers prior to an assignment?
9. Are reference checks, criminal background checks and drug screens conducted on all employees?
10. Are your caregivers your employees?  If not, who is the legal employer of the caregiver and who pays the mandated taxes and withholdings?

There are others questions too, but I'd like to hear your thoughts on these.  Please leave a comment below to let me know what you think.  What really important questions did I miss?

Photo Credit:  Leo Reynolds

Looking to simplify senior care?  The Essential Senior Care Documents Guide explains every important piece of senior care paperwork to make your life easier.