Navigating the Complex World of Private Home Care: Tips for Families Seeking the Best Care for Their Loved Ones
As our loved ones age, their care needs may become more complex and demanding. For many families, private home care offers a compassionate and cost-effective solution to ensure the well-being and safety of elderly family members. However, navigating the world of private home care can be overwhelming, with numerous options and varying levels of quality. In this blog post, we will provide tips to help families seeking the best care for their loved ones make informed decisions.
Understand Your Loved One’s Needs
The first step in selecting the right private home care is understanding the specific needs of your loved one. Take the time to assess their medical, emotional, and social requirements. Are they dealing with chronic health conditions that require specialized care? Do they need assistance with daily tasks like bathing, dressing, and meal preparation? Are they at risk of social isolation? By identifying their needs, you will be better equipped to find a home care agency that can meet these needs effectively.
Research Available Options
Once you have a clear understanding of your loved one’s needs, it’s time to research home care agencies in your area. Look for agencies with a strong reputation, positive reviews, and a track record of providing high-quality care. Don’t be afraid to ask for recommendations from friends, family members, or healthcare professionals who have experience with home care services.
Evaluate Caregiver Qualifications and Experience
When choosing a private home care agency, it’s essential to ensure that their caregivers have the appropriate qualifications and experience to care for your loved one. Inquire about the agency’s hiring process, background checks, and training programs. Are their caregivers certified? Do they receive ongoing training and support? By selecting an agency with well-trained and experienced caregivers, you can feel confident that your loved one will receive the best care possible.
Assess the Agency’s Communication and Responsiveness
Effective communication is crucial when it comes to home care services. The agency you choose should be responsive to your needs, open to feedback, and willing to work closely with you to develop a customized care plan for your loved one. Ask about their communication protocols and how they handle concerns or issues that may arise. An agency that values open communication and collaboration will be better equipped to provide the high-quality care your loved one deserves.
Consider the Cost and Available Payment Options
Private home care can be expensive, so it’s essential to understand the costs involved and explore available payment options. Some insurance plans or government programs may help cover the cost of home care services, while others may not. Discuss the agency’s fees and payment plans, and don’t be afraid to ask for a detailed breakdown of costs. Understanding the financial implications upfront can help you make a more informed decision and avoid unexpected expenses down the line.
Schedule a Trial Period
Before committing to a long-term arrangement with a private home care agency, consider scheduling a trial period. This will allow you and your loved one to evaluate the quality of care provided, the caregiver’s compatibility with your loved one, and the overall experience of working with the agency. If you’re not satisfied with the services provided during the trial period, you can explore other options without feeling locked into a long-term contract.
By taking the time to understand your loved one’s needs, researching available options, and carefully evaluating caregiver qualifications, communication, cost, and trial periods, you can successfully navigate the complex world of private home care. With the right agency and caregivers in place, your loved one can receive the compassionate, high-quality care they need, while you gain peace of mind knowing they are in good hands.
Learn More About What Makes Guided Living’s Care Special
Guided Living’s model of care is setting the highest standards for quality:
- Registered Nurse oversight for all care, ensuring that our caregivers and families have access to a licensed nurse 24/7 for support and to maintain an up-to-date care plan.
- All caregivers are all certified and experienced, giving our clients peace of mind and exceptional care.
- Since we have a stable care team, client’s have consistent and reliable schedules that they can count on.
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Caregiver Testimonial – Thank you Colleen and Juliana!
Guided Living’s success can be attributed to their culture. The agency is dedicated, professional and flexible to caregivers and clients.
The staff works in unison as a Team to provide outstanding care. Every day I get to make a difference in our clients’ world!
I love working with Guided Living, they know my abilities to help our clients and I have their full support!
-Colleen B.
Home Health Care is a challenging and rewarding field. As a CNA, I’ve found myself devoted to this field because of how rewarding it is to give compassionate care to others.
However, working for agencies I’ve found you are often looked at as just another badge number with hours to fill. My experience with the Team at Guided Living changed that perspective. The office staff understands me and respects me. Not only as a caregiver, but as an individual as well. Because of this support I’m able to excel as a caregiver and exceed even my own expectations.
I love working with Guided Living!! It’s been a real game changer for me.
-Juliana F.
Milestone Anniversaries of Our Dedicated Team
Guided Living was founded in 2014 to bring the highest quality of home care to seniors in our community. I am so grateful for our incredible team that made that mission a reality through their compassion, hard work and dedication.
That is why I am so excited to deliver these trophies and care packages to acknowledge those who have been with the company for three, four, five or even more years!
Guided Living will continue to grow in many ways, but its heart and soul will always be the hard working and compassionate individuals who care for our clients. It is an honor to work every day with this amazing team.
Sincerely,
Patrick
Founder, Guided Living
Caregiver Survey Results
Would you recommend working at Guided Living to a friend? (avg. response)
Client & Family Survey Results
Out of 5 quality categories, amount of responses ‘Met’ or ‘Exceeded’ expectations.
Would you refer Guided Living to a friend? (avg. response)
Client & Family Survey Feedback
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It is hard to describe the panic triggered after a fall resulted in a fractured shoulder and humerus. A relatively healthy senior, suddenly I was unable to perform many activities of daily living and my independence was profoundly threatened. For help, I called Guided Living Senior Home Care and arranged daily assistance. Not only did they help with a variety of tasks, but their presence provided me with the opportunity to rest, an essential element to recovery. After several weeks, I gradually progressed. Today I can live independently, as I continue therapy to restore mobility.
My progress was enhanced by the gentle and kind assistance of your CNAs. They were prompt and competent, always professional and respectful as we worked through the stresses of recovery. I doubt that I could have remained at home alone without them. Please extend my gratitude to your staff who served me.
I am happy to share my experience with others and will continue to recommend your organization to seniors who find themselves in need of help at home. Good luck to you and the valuable services you provide.
We really should have coordinated with you all on this years ago! Awesome getting this all done so quickly for our family, please pass on our sincere thanks for all the hustle to the extended team there.
A New Model – Registered Nurse Managed Homecare
See example chronic illness specific care plan considerations here.
Our Services
Personal Care
Companionship
Private Nursing
Chronic Illness Management
Unmanaged chronic illnesses including Alzheimer’s Disease lead to more intense symptoms which can progress to loss of physical & cognitive function. This vicious cycle causes multiple problems such as fatigue, depression, pain, stress, fall risk issues, & medication mis-management.
Our approach promotes & supports positive aging by monitoring good nutrition practices, safety at home, subtle changes & responding to those changes earlier in the disease cycle.
Family Testimonials – Complex Care Situations
Guided Living has been a life saver for my 91 year old father and our entire family following his brief stay at a nursing home after having a heart attack. We lost our mother the year before and myself and my siblings (some of whom live in other states) were worried about his continued recovery after he returned home. He would still need 24/7 care at home for a short while and we only had four days’ notice when the nursing home told us he was going to be released. I called Guided Living on Tuesday morning, met with them on Friday and a caregiver was at his house on Saturday when he came home! From my very first phone call to Guided Living we have experienced only warm and caring personal attention to our every need. All the staff are calm and pleasant whenever we talk and are always there for us no matter the time of day or how big or small our problem. It is like calling on a friend or loved one for help. We had a family meeting after 24/7 care was no longer necessary and decided to stay with Guided Living five days a week with a few hours of help in the morning and in the evening. The two CNA’s who help our father every week have become like family to us. We admire and trust them so much. They are very professional but so personal in their caregiving. We have such peace of mind knowing he is not alone all day and he likes knowing he has time to himself every afternoon. Two of us live close to my father and we treasure the time we spend helping him on the weekends. Our father always said as he got older that he never wanted to intrude on his children’s lives. As his children we feel very deeply that we want to be there for him in every way possible in this final chapter of his life. Guided Living has allowed all of us to be happy with the very custom care schedule they have set up. We are very grateful and wish the same for every family facing a situation similar to ours.
Recently my family required support after the sudden illness and subsequent death of my father. The Guided Living team responded immediately, supporting my mother, an Alzheimer’s patient, during a very difficult time of transition. Every caregiver assigned to care for her was warm and attentive. The Guided Living office was professional and reliable with their scheduling, troubleshooting, and communication. Any question I had was answered immediately, and I was given full access to the Guided Living online Dashboard which allowed me to leave messages for the companion on duty, view the week’s schedule of caretakers, and see the tasks completed by each. My mother felt safe and comfortable. I will always be grateful that Guided Living was there for my family, and I highly recommend their care to other families in need.
I am so pleased at how everything has worked out these last few months and now with a trip to the hospital and home again for my aunt and we want to pause for a moment to thank you and your team very much!My sister and I were just recently saying to one another how fortunate we and my aunt are to have you and your constant care and effort. It is so reassuring!
We know this latest event must have been very scary for all involved – my aunt the most – and it is so great we can all celebrate a return home for her today. Please thank all of the caregivers and nurses!!!!
Thank you Patrick!
Professional, knowledgeable, responsive and caring. Hands down over and above any and all expectations. Available at all times for all questions! I have been so impressed and grateful for the help and guidance through some very difficult times!!
I am writing to thank you for the wonderful service you have provided for my parents. We greatly appreciate that you were able to provide customized care and rearrange schedules to meet my parents changing needs. We met you in a time of need for my family and you have offered support in every regard and allowed us to feel comfortable and confident that my folks needs were being met. You have gone above and beyond and we are deeply grateful.
Additional Family Survey Feedback
The initial referral came over a holiday weekend and still they could provide excellent coverage. Staff worked very well with the VNA case manager to alert us to problems. Office staff were friendly and helpful, and very responsive.
All the caregivers assigned to my husband were wonderful. They brought a little sunshine into his last days and I am so grateful Patrick started this business.
Your caregivers are terrific. They are professional, compassionate and genuinely concerned about their clients. Guided Living is a very reliable service that our family appreciates. They communicate well with the family and keep us informed of any situation that requires further or immediate intervention.
If the nurse did not visit my mother while I was on vacation, she would most likely have died-alone and would have been found by a family member. Thanks to the nurse my mother was admitted to the hospital and had a good death-in comfort receiving medical care surrounded by her family. Amazingly dedicated staff. I will be forever grateful.
The care, professionalism and observation skills of the HHAs are excellent. They are very quick to notice changes and problems. They are of great help.
My parents would not have been able to live out their final weeks at home without the services provided.
Great team of people. I have recommended you to a number of my patients, who have all been very pleased with the services.
We are very happy with the nurse assigned. She provides exceptional care. My mother looks forward to her visits. We are also happy with the professionalism and courteousness of all the staff.
We are extremely happy with my husband’s caregiver. She is very caring, reliable, and efficient in everything she does.
You have a great team of people working for you. I cannot thank them enough for all their help with my father in law.
Guided Living has given me peace of mind as I live 4 hours away from my parents. Everyone who has taken care of my mom has been wonderful. Thank you Patrick for having such excellent staff.