Choosing the best home health care for your loved one is an important decision. It’s wise to explore your options well before bad gets to worse. But just what should one be looking for, and how to go about selecting the best home care? 

There are many factors to consider when choosing home health care, but it can be even more crucial to know what mistakes to avoid when going about with your search. That’s why we have listed down some of the biggest mistakes people make when choosing the right home health care agency. Browse through this list before you start exploring home health care agencies to understand how to assess and pick the right home health care for your loved one.

1. Taking the cheapest caregiver
A large section of people bases the decision for home health care solely on the cost factor. It’s important to note that price is only critical in the absence of value. Sure, price is a consideration, but what about questions like, ‘does the agency provide good customer service? ‘Will they communicate with you regarding the changing health care needs of your loved one?’ There’s much more to the selection than just ‘cost’. The right home health care agency will sit down with you to discuss and develop a care plan that meets the needs of your loved one and work within your allocated budget to ensure you get the best value for your money spent.

2. Not ensuring good compatibility of the caregiver and your loved one
In most cases, the care provided by home health care agencies is plagued with personal issues and personality clashes. Surprisingly, this is one of the most neglected points. It is vital to have the option to interview and choose a caregiver that best suits your elder’s needs and personality. It should be your priority to pair the best caregiver with the needs of your loved one. You may be in the best position to know which personalities your loved one will be most comfortable with.

3. Trying to handle health care by themselves
Doing everything by themselves allows the person in need of care to get hurt or miss out on receiving quality care. Many people fail to understand that home health care is a benefit afforded to every U.S. citizen when they become eligible for Medicare benefits. Most prominent insurance carriers also cover home health care. In case of falls, injuries, wounds, or diseases that need to be attended to, pretending to know it all is perhaps the worst mistake one could make. Get the professionals involved so that the situation and the health of your loved one are best-taken care of. 

4. Putting it off to avoid spending money on more time for care
In all obviousness, if you delay getting home health care for your loved ones to avoid spending money, then dangerous falls and deteriorating physical and mental health of your elder would be the result. Families may attempt caring for their seniors themselves until it gets overwhelming for them, or they may believe that professional home health care is too expensive. Waiting too long can also lead to a hasty decision that could result in opting for an agency that may not meet the needs of your loved one, in addition to not meeting the state and federal standards.

5. Not getting all family members on board to support the loved one in need of care
It is important to invite everyone who is an integral part of your loved one’s life to get them on board to support the loved one in need of care. Ensure that everyone is clear on the boundaries and service obligations expected of a caregiver. Avoid the potential room for misunderstandings by keeping everyone who matters updated. Before choosing a caregiver, it’s crucial to consult with individuals who may be involved in your loved one’s life. Everyone should be informed and involved in the selection process, family members, close relatives, aunts, uncles, and grandchildren. After all, they will also be communicating and interacting with the chosen caregiver.

To avoid making these and other common mistakes when choosing a home health care for your loved senior, reach out to Comforting Hands, LLC - Boston Senior Home Health And Personal Care Services. At Comforting Hands, LLC, we are committed to our clients, compassionate about ensuring their safety and happiness, and we want to make a difference. Getting the care for your loved one can feel intimidating, but Comforting Hands works hard to make it easy for you and your family.

Companion Services include General Companion Care, Meal Preparation, Grooming Assistance, Light Housekeeping, Live-in Services, Respite Care. Personal Care Services include Bathing, Dressing, Grooming, Ambulation Assistance, Transferring and Positioning, Toileting, Incontinence, Feeding and Special Diet.

To learn more about the services that we provide, please click here. If you’ve any questions about choosing home health care for your elderly loved one, get in touch with us by clicking here.