Home Care Confusion

In-Home Care, At Home Care, Elder Care, In-Home Senior Care, Home Health Care … the list goes on and on and on! With so many options and so many interchangeable terms, home care confusion can be a real problem, especially for those looking into it for the first time.

When I was searching for home care for my dad I became very overwhelmed by all of the choices and information out there — and I’M A SOCIAL WORKER!  

When faced with a tough decision, especially one as important as what is best for your parent or other loved one, it can be hard to know where to start. Here are guidelines and introductory questions you’ll want to ask as you start your search.

• Does the home care provider supply literature explaining its services and fees?

• Does it have a “Patient Bill of Rights”?

• What kind of payments does the home care agency accept (ie. Medicare, private insurance, private pay)?

• What range of home care services does the agency provide? 

• Can they meet any special needs you might have (e.g. language or cultural preferences)?

• How does the provider select and train its employees? Does it perform background checks?

• Does the provider assign supervisors to oversee the quality of care that clients are receiving in their homes?

At Home Care Solutions St. Louis, we are dedicated to the quality of our care and helping YOU become an expert in your loved one’s care! We’d love to chat with you and answer any questions you might have as you begin your search for home care options in the St. Louis region.