When it comes to home care services, in-home health care services can cover a wide range of tasks from medical to personal care or someone who can help with the everyday household chores. Therefore, when seeking an in-home care provider for your needs, it is important to ask questions that will result in the best quality care for your loved one.
To narrow down your search, make a list of the services you will require the in-home care provider to perform. Depending on what your needs are you can decide if an agency or private caregiver will best suit your situation. Whether you choose to use a home care service agency or a home health aide, you can ask the following questions 
about services:
- Ask if they will provide a written plan of care before service begins. This will document details about medical equipment to be used and specific care needs. This is a good document to have in order to prevent misunderstandings.
- In case of an emergency, ask what the procedures are. Ask if care is available 24 hours a day if necessary.
- Ask who you should contact if you have any requests, questions, or complaints and how issues are addressed and resolved.
- Ask if you will receive a patient’s bill of rights statement.
- Ask how the agency how the caregivers are hired and trained.
- Ask if the caregivers are licensed and insured.
- Ask if the care providers are supervised and regularly evaluated.
Some of the best sources for locating a home care provider are right in your community. These include doctors, hospitals, as well as state resources such as the departments of health, aging, and social services. Local resources such as the local county or regional area agency on aging can give you a list of programs in your area and accredited home care agencies.
When your loved one is discharged from a hospital or nursing home, the social worker, administrator, or discharge nurse should be able to recommend agencies that are in your area. You can also research a care provider directory online at MySeniorCare.com.
Finding the right in-home care provider requires time and research. Check out a few different sources. Don’t just sign up with the first person or agency that you come across. You want to be sure that you are getting the best quality care for your loved one. Be patient and inquisitive during your search for home care services and in the end this will benefit you and your loved one.