How to Choose a Home Care Provider
Choosing the right home care provider is a decision that can only be made after you thoroughly assess the short- and long-term needs of your loved one and your family. Once you do that, you can compare potential providers and review available payment options. You can make a more informed decision by following a few basic guidelines.
What is home care?
Home care is care provided where a person lives. It allows a person with specific needs to live independently in their home. It might be an ideal option for people who are elderly, chronically ill, disabled or recovering from surgery.
Home care spans a wide array of services, such as:
- Personal care, such as help with bathing, shampooing or dressing
- Homemaking, including cleaning, yard work and laundry
- Cooking or delivering meals
- Health care (e.g., nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, escort to appointments, safety supervision, socialization, companionship)
Some types of home care are covered by your health insurance plan or are subsidized by the government. For other types of home care, you have to pay for the service.