Tips On Choosing The Best Home Healthcare Agency For Your Loved One

If you have a loved one who can no longer take care of themselves, you might find more and more of your own time going towards maintaining their health and well-being. This can become frustrating after awhile, even though you do want the best for them. One solution to this problem could be hiring a home healthcare agency to provide full-time care for your loved one. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when trying to narrow down the list of home healthcare agencies in your area.

Licenses and Certifications

When choosing a home healthcare agency, you will have many options. But whether you go with a national company or just one that is locally based, there are certain things you should look for. Always check with your state to make sure that the agency is fully licensed for the job you are asking them to do. You can also usually check to see if the agency has had any complaints filed against them that might draw a red flag. While checking with the state is important, also do not forget to check with Medicare. Medicare gives out its own certifications, and sometimes you will only be able to use Medicare assistance or funding if the provider is recognized by the organization.

Check Third-Party Websites

The home healthcare agency you are considering will likely make a wealth of informational materials available to you to help you make your decision. That said, it can be helpful to expand your search beyond the information provided by the agencies themselves. There are likely a number of websites online that should have at least some reviews or feedback from others who have used the agency to assist their own loved one. Medicare.gov is an unbiased website run by the government which can let you search for a home healthcare agency in your area and see ratings on different agencies.

Ask About Replacement Coverage

If you have a preferred aide from the home healthcare agency (such as AAA Referral & Home Health), you need to know what will happen if that aide ever has a day off. Inquire about the agency official policy on replacement coverage. Make sure at least someone is always going to show up, even if your first choice is not available. It might be good to have a list of specific aides that you would like to show up if your main aide does not show. This will give you peace of mind that you will always know exactly who you are letting get close to your loved one. 

If it's time to start looking for a home healthcare agency for your loved one, don't rush the process. Make sure all applicable licenses and certifications are in place, and seek out positive third-party reviews from others who have used the service. Ensure that your loved one is comfortable with the main caretaker that is assigned to them, but also get the details on anyone else who might show up if that caretaker gets a day off.