The Important
Issues in Homecare
12
Tips to Help
Fiona Middleton, M.S.M., Vice President for
GRISWOLD SPECIAL CARE
Recently, a friend asked me for assistance in finding help for
her mother. She was confused, she told me, by the dozens
of listings in the telephone book for homecare companies.
All claimed to be the best, to offer the highest quality, and to
give the best value. What, she asked me, are the important
issues to which she should pay attention when making her choice?
Here is my advice to her, and to others in this situation:
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Use an agency, rather than
hiring privately. Hiring privately places the
individual receiving care at risk because people often
answer private advertisements when they cannot find work
with the agencies. With private hires, there is no
screening, oversight, checking of identity documents, or
insurance coverage, all of which can be expected from
a reputable agency.
-
Consider the range of services
offered by the agency. Non-medical care should include
personal care (bathing, dressing, and continence care), not
simply handing soap or shampoo to the person who needs care.
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Does the agency have a
consumer-driven approach? The agency should be willing
to entertain special requests. Dates and times for
service should occur based on the client's need and
schedule, not the agency's.
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Is the agency responsive?
How quickly the agency can find a caregiver initially is
often indicative of the availability and reliability of
substitutes. The agency should also be willing to
offer replacements if the client is not satisfied with the
performance of the caregiver.
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Will the agency ensure the
client's continued satisfaction? An initial visit
should be conducted in the home of the person who receives
care. Ongoing visits and phone calls should continue
throughout the duration of the case.
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How affordable is the service,
and will the company quote rates on the telephone? Be
wary of an agency that will only give rates after seeing you
in your home. Watch for any "hidden" fees, for
example, extra charges for personal care or light
housekeeping.
-
Does the agency offer a
discounted daily or "live-in" rate, or merely charge the
hourly rate multiplied by twenty-four? The cost for a
live-in caregiver should be roughly the same as the cost (or
less) than one day of care in a nursing home.
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Of the total fee charged, how
much does the Caregiver receive? More money does not
always equate to better services. Some agencies charge
more than double the fees that their caregivers earn?
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Does the agency interview
caregivers, or merely process applicants? Interviews
should be one-on-one, in-person, and extensive. Ask
for samples of the types of questions the agency asks the
caregivers. Remember, a group orientation is not a
substitute for a fact-finding interview.
-
Are references checked, or does
the agency merely confirm dates of employment and rehire
eligibility? A thorough reference check will include
comprehensive discussions with former supervisors to
ascertain the caregivers' past behavioral patterns.
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Does the agency conduct
statewide criminal background checks? Background
checks should be comprehensive, not merely a county check.
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Are health screenings required
for the caregivers? A complete medical examination and
TB test before referral will reduce risk for the person who
receives care.
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