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Finding the Right Home Health Care Provider

Published: December 16, 2021 | Reading Time: 3 minutes

Published: December 16, 2021
Reading Time: 3 minutes

A nurse in a blue uniform, acting as a compassionate health care provider, sits with an elderly man on the couch holding a cane. The woman stands beside him, her hand on his shoulder, embodying the essence of home health care during their serious conversation about finding the right home.

No one knows your spouse or parent better than you do. You know what they need, you know what they like, and you understand their short-hand phrases and facial expressions. However, you may not have the medical expertise to manage their chronic illness or give them the necessary physical therapy after a surgery. This is where home health care services can help.

Of course, you don’t just want any caregiver; you want one who will support your loved one as well as, if not better than, you can. Hiring the right home health care provider can improve your loved one’s quality of life and help you reclaim your role as spouse or child rather than a daily caregiver.

Factors to Consider When Hiring a Caregiver for In-Home Help

Choosing a home health care provider can be challenging, especially if you aren’t sure what to look for. After all, you want someone who has your loved one’s best interests at heart and won’t slack off on the job.

If your loved one qualifies for home care and you’re researching caregiver options, consider these following factors that can make your decision a bit easier:

  1. Staff Credentials and Expertise. First and foremost, the home health care provider you hire should have the credentials and experience to care for your loved one’s unique needs. If your spouse has diabetes, the caregiver should know exactly how to handle that condition. If your parent is just getting out of the hospital from a hip surgery, the professional caregiver should have physical therapists and occupational therapists available to support their recovery.
  2. Brand Reputation. How the home health care provider is viewed by the greater community is another important factor to consider. Would neighbors and friends recommend the home care brand? Is the organization known for its quality of care? As you consider home health care, ask about reviews and recurring patients. Home health care providers, like Ethos Care, will have recurrent patients because of the high-quality care and staff support provided.
  3. Patient and Family Education. A key component of successful home health care is preventing your loved one from going to the hospital or doctor’s office so often. This prevention begins with education. A home health care professional should be able to educate your loved one and family on their chronic illness if they have one, medication management, wound care, therapy exercises and other health care tactics necessary for your loved one.
  4. 24-Hour Care. What if your loved one needs immediate assistance after normal business hours? It’s important that your home health care provider is available around-the-clock when needed. At Ethos Home Care, for example, we have a nurse available 24/7, every day of the year. Home health aides are also available Monday through Friday from 8am – 4:30pm to assist with bathing and other daily tasks. No matter if it’s in the middle of the day or the middle of the night, your loved one will be able to receive the skilled home health care they require.
  5. Staff-to-Patient Ratio. Your spouse or parent deserves a home health care professional they trust and can get to know on a personal level. This isn’t possible if nurses, therapists and home health aides rotate in and out of your loved one’s home on a weekly basis. When you’re considering a caregiver for in-home help, choose one that offers a small staff-to-patient ratio. This will ensure your loved one receives the personalized attention they need and give you peace of mind.
  6. Staff Satisfaction. The more satisfied an individual is with their place of employment, the better customer service they’ll provide. Consider the physical demeanor and tone of voice of the home health care professionals you speak with. You could even search for the organization on Home Health Compare to see what former employees and patients have said. The happier a home health care provider’s staff is, the happier and more satisfied you and your loved one will be with the level of care received.
  7. Personalized Care. Your loved one’s home care should be specific to their unique needs. Look for a caregiver who takes the time to develop a personalized care plan for their patients. Ethos Home Care, for example, is focused on enriching the lives of those we serve through personalized care. Within one or two days of your call, we’ll come to your loved one’s home, assess their needs and determine the best course of action to improve their wellbeing.

Your Loved One is in Good Hands with Ethos Home Care

Your loved one’s quality of life is always our top priority at Ethos Home Care. We take pride in our home care services and are constantly looking for better ways to serve our patients. During this unprecedented time, we have continued to provide high-quality home care while keeping our patients healthy and safe. Each member of our home care team is tested for COVID-19 weekly and wears masks and additional PPE during home visits. Our goal is to keep our staff healthy, so we can keep your loved one and family happy and healthy.

Contact us today at 701-356-3803 to learn more about our variety of in-home senior care service options available.

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