When the responsibility falls on you to care for your loved ones whether they be elderly family members or adults with special needs, there is a lot to consider when creating a community of care. It is unrealistic to do all the care-giving yourself. Even if you are able to give care most of the time, there will be times when you cannot be physically present to meet your loved one’s needs. For those times, it is wise to enlist the help of a home health care agency.
7 Tips for Choosing the Best Homecare for Your Loved One:
Check for professionalism when contacting and communicating with the agency.
Are they pleasant and cheerful and speak with compassion? Are they able to confidently and quickly give 
you the information you need?
Decide what kind of care you need.
Do you want medical or non-medical help or a combination of both?
Inquire about how the agency hires and trains their employees.
How do they find their employees? What kind of background checks are done? How long have their employees been with the company? How much training is received? Are their employees equipped for medical issues or non-medical?
Make sure the home health service holds a license from the state.
Have they won any awards or have any recognition? How long have they been in business? Do they have references? These marks can show how an agency goes above and beyond.
Be sure that the agency provides care for the time of day you need.
Some agencies provide limited hours whereas others offer round the clock care.
Communication is key for the best care to happen.
How will they communicate with you about how each day went? Will the caregivers communicate with each other when there is a need like physical therapy? Are they good at communicating with you so that you will be able to know what went on in your absence? How can you communicate with the agency if there is a problem or concern?
The financial piece is a big part of the equation for choosing home health service.
Will they give in writing explanations of their costs and payment plan options?
If you are in the Northeast Philadelphia area, please use these tips to evaluate our homecare services at Community Care of the Northeast. Our name, Community Care, has been purposefully chosen. We know that caregivers like you are responsible for creating a community of care and it is our passion to assist you in creating a high quality community of care your loved one.
We have been in business for over 30 years and are licensed by the Pennsylvania Board of Health, Office of Long Term Living and the Office of Developmental Programs.