5 Qualities of Professional In-Home Care Services
In life, a list of quality standards and expectations is key in receiving satisfaction from anything we desire. Likewise, when looking for in-home care services for seniors and older adults you want to ensure you get a caregiver who is committed to ensuring your loved one is comfortable, happy and safe. The best way to pick the grain from the chaff is by researching and interviewing prospective in-home care providers that meet the following qualities.
Experience Providing Quality In-Home Care Services
One sign that a caregiver is capable of meeting the highest standards of quality is the amount of time they’ve spent doing this (and the track record they have formed). Be wary of individuals or organizations with a sketchy history.
Aside from that, it is important to work with an individual or agency that has a valid practice license issued by the state. In addition to that license, an accreditation from the Joint Commission for the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations and an approval from Medicare act as important indicators of a provider who is willing and ready to abide by the highest standards possible.
Also when seeking in-home care services, consider the caregivers’ experience in other areas like memory care for Alzheimer’s or dementia, ability to cook healthy meals, and other specialized skills and experience.
Commitment To Personal Care Services
Not all in-home caregivers are ready to commit to providing personal care services to your loved ones. Therefore, if you are considering giving your loved ones all the care they deserve in their old age, it is extremely important to clarify on this prior to signing up with a provider.
A good choice is one that is ready to offer more than just basic care including occupational, physical therapy and skilled nursing. Part of this involves helping the older adults with activities such as dressing, bathing and eating. Homemaker services such as laundry and housekeeping should also be part of the menu.
Empathy & Compassion
Empathy is the most important characteristic of a good caregiver. As such, you want to work with a provider who can totally put themselves in the place of who they are caring for. If a provider is always ready to give the best kind of treatment under prevailing circumstances – it shows that they are compassionate and willing to offer dignified care to your loved one. So always look for signs of empathy on your chosen caregiver before you give them the noble duty.
Patience
As we grow old our bodies no longer move the way they used to. Add physical illness, injury and movements become even slower and painful. Some parts of the body may fail to work completely (e.g. after a stroke, arthritis or advanced Parkinson’s).
Illnesses such as Alzheimer’s may cause memory loss and interfere with the ability to process information. For this reason, it is ultimately important to work with a caregiver who is ready to handle all these needs patiently. Be wary of angry, impatient and uncooperative individuals.
Flexibility & Sound Judgment
Caregivers should always be flexible because circumstances can change in an instant when caring for the elderly. Emergency situations can arise or a loved one might end up in a situation that requires the one taking care of them to make quick judgments. Avoid people who have additional obligations on the side as this might compromise the level of attention your loved one gets.
Lastly…
When it comes to caring for our older loved ones, it is of great importance to find an in-home caregiver who is not only committed to the job but also one who is empathetic, patient and passionate.
Whether you need in-home care in Peoria or San Francisco, he best way to find a professional match when seeking in-home care services is to work with a reputable agency or network that has been accredited by the relevant institutions. This can go a long way in saving you the hassle of scanning through a long list of applicants who you may not know much about.
