Choosing a Home Care Agency

Whether it's you or your loved one that requires home healthcare services, choosing the right homecare agency to fulfill your specific care needs is essential. Once you acquire the names of several providers, you will want to learn more about all of the services they provide and their reputation.

Homecare services are an excellent option for individuals who need medical attention or even non-medical assistance with daily activities, but would rather receive this care in their home. Caregivers are often available on an as-needed basis, with no hourly minimum. These services are most helpful when a family caregiver is unable or unavailable to assist with the patient's needs.

When it comes to choosing a homecare company, there are many facets to consider. First and foremost, you should ensure that the company employs highly trained and professional caregivers. After all, the company you select is going to supply you with a caregiver who will have direct contact with you or your loved one. You want to make sure that your caregiver is compassionate and trustworthy, and above all, compatible with your needs. So insist that you meet him or her prior to hiring. Ask about qualifications and credentials, as well as previous homecare service experience.

A home healthcare company that is licensed in your state, and/or accredited by a national body, is an indicator that they are a trusted homecare provider that is held to higher standards than what is required by the state or federal government. In some states, licensing is not required for companion (non-medical) services. If a company is not licensed for that reason, be sure to ask that company if they follow rules and procedures similar to licensed medical providers. All Heart of Humanity offices are licensed, as required, and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC).

You want to ensure it is someone you can trust so it is advised to work with a homecare company that does thorough screening and background checks of its employees. Find out if the company you hire goes beyond basic certification checks and also does criminal background checks, skills tests, or verification of residency and credentials. Heart of Humanity adheres to the highest standards for hiring our staff. Each candidate is carefully interviewed and thoroughly screened to ensure our patients have peace of mind that they are receiving the highest level of care available.

Verify to see if the agency not only hires the caregiver, but handles taxes, workers' compensation claims, background checks, and other tests. Many people don't think of this when hiring a caregiver, but ensuring a company is bonded and insured is important for your safety. If you select an agency with the proper insurance, including workers' compensation, it can protect you should something happen to your caregiver while in your home. Heart of Humanity screens all of its employees with criminal background checks, DMV checks, and TB tests.

It's also important to ask if their caregivers are employees of the company. Some companies contract out caregivers for their agency. At Heart of Humanity, our caregivers are our employees. This provides several advantages for our patients, including giving patients the freedom to not have to worry about insurance, taxes, and liability, as that is our responsibility. Companies that directly employ their caregivers are also more likely to work closely with those employees and offer you greater support.

It's important to look for a company that provides training for its healthcare professionals and office staff. Heart of Humanity Health Services provides training for its office staff on patient privacy, among other things. It is important to find a homecare agency that you can trust not only with your care but also your privacy.

It is essential to find a homecare company that can provide service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and will find a replacement for your caregiver should that be necessary. The ultimate goal is to have the quality care in an environment that's most comfortable for you. You should determine this information first before needing a new company if you or your loved ones need more specialized care.