Choosing Your Eldercare Provider
While we all hope to live full and independent lives throughout our adulthood, the reality is that many of us will need some assistance as we head into our elder years. For many people, a little help with shopping chores, cleaning, laundry and perhaps a meal or two is all the help we need. Still others need help with a variety of daily personal chores, such as dressing and bathing. If you or your loved one suffers from Alzheimer's disease or dementia, you might need to think about moving them a facility that is suitable for memory care.
When independent at-home living is no longer appropriate or wanted, people begin searching for a good eldercare option and this can be a tricky process. You want to select a caregiver or facility that provides what you need at a cost you can afford, but still maintains a high quality of life. Before you decide on a specific facility or in-home helper, you need to ask these professionals some serious questions about the level and quality of care they provide.
The most important first questions to ask are about experience. How long has the facility been open? How long has the management company been providing eldercare? How long as the in-home caregiver been on the job? What types of clients has he or she had in the past and what services were provided? In addition ask about the training given to each staff member and the staff turnaround rate. Look for a facility or caregiver with background checks and drug testing. Don't feel uncomfortable asking the tough questions, after all it's your life and you need to feel and be safe and secure. Contact the local board of health and inquire about any recent and serious violations. Ask the facility director how medical issues are handled both during the day and at night. Ask about how many people are on staff around the clock.
Obviously, you will need to establish a workable budget and ask these professionals about the monthly costs. It is important to ask about everything that is included in the monthly fees. Does it include all of the meals and snacks? Does it include medication monitoring? Does it include laundry services and housekeeping? What types of daily activities are included? Is there a shuttle service for doctor visits and excursions? It is important to ask about practical amenities, but you also want to be sure that the facility will be a fun place to live.
Asking people you trust for recommendations is always a good idea and this could be a medical professional or friends. In addition, the selection process can be a good deal easier if you go to service that matches people to eldercare options in their area. Care Placement, for example, takes your needs and budget into consideration and will provide you with a list on in-home professionals or local facilities that might be suitable for you.
The impressions first made during a tour or interview definitely go a long way into helping you make your decision. If you are choosing a facility or senior community, take a good look at the entire facility to ensure it is clean and in good repair. The staff probably will be friendly to potential residents, but how do they engage with each other and with current residents. If people seem to have a true sense of camaraderie, it's probably a good sign. Talk to residents and ask them what they enjoy about the facility and what could be improved. Eat lunch or dinner at the home to see what is provided. For in-home care, ask each person about their reasons for becoming a caregiver and ask about the previous people for which they have worked to determine what level of care they are used to providing.
When independent at-home living is no longer appropriate or wanted, people begin searching for a good eldercare option and this can be a tricky process. You want to select a caregiver or facility that provides what you need at a cost you can afford, but still maintains a high quality of life. Before you decide on a specific facility or in-home helper, you need to ask these professionals some serious questions about the level and quality of care they provide.
The most important first questions to ask are about experience. How long has the facility been open? How long has the management company been providing eldercare? How long as the in-home caregiver been on the job? What types of clients has he or she had in the past and what services were provided? In addition ask about the training given to each staff member and the staff turnaround rate. Look for a facility or caregiver with background checks and drug testing. Don't feel uncomfortable asking the tough questions, after all it's your life and you need to feel and be safe and secure. Contact the local board of health and inquire about any recent and serious violations. Ask the facility director how medical issues are handled both during the day and at night. Ask about how many people are on staff around the clock.
Obviously, you will need to establish a workable budget and ask these professionals about the monthly costs. It is important to ask about everything that is included in the monthly fees. Does it include all of the meals and snacks? Does it include medication monitoring? Does it include laundry services and housekeeping? What types of daily activities are included? Is there a shuttle service for doctor visits and excursions? It is important to ask about practical amenities, but you also want to be sure that the facility will be a fun place to live.
Asking people you trust for recommendations is always a good idea and this could be a medical professional or friends. In addition, the selection process can be a good deal easier if you go to service that matches people to eldercare options in their area. Care Placement, for example, takes your needs and budget into consideration and will provide you with a list on in-home professionals or local facilities that might be suitable for you.
The impressions first made during a tour or interview definitely go a long way into helping you make your decision. If you are choosing a facility or senior community, take a good look at the entire facility to ensure it is clean and in good repair. The staff probably will be friendly to potential residents, but how do they engage with each other and with current residents. If people seem to have a true sense of camaraderie, it's probably a good sign. Talk to residents and ask them what they enjoy about the facility and what could be improved. Eat lunch or dinner at the home to see what is provided. For in-home care, ask each person about their reasons for becoming a caregiver and ask about the previous people for which they have worked to determine what level of care they are used to providing.
About the Author:
Kristana Jenson enjoys reading home health care blogs. For additional information about assisted living Solana Beach facilities or for expert help finding board and care San Diego services, please check out the CarePlacement.com site now.