January 17, 2017
When people come to us for care, we often hear families share their experiences about in home care services where the caregiver wasn’t the right fit for their loved one. It can be difficult finding an in home caregiver that can match your loved one’s needs, and being dissatisfied with care can impact their health and security. To make sure your loved one is satisfied with their care, here are some answers to common questions we receive about caregivers:
Q: Can I choose my caregiver?
A: Yes, you can!
Federal law guarantees an individual’s right to choose the home health care provider they want. That means it’s your right to choose an in home caregiver that you feel best meets your loved one’s needs. Often, when families start to look for care for their aging loved one, they don’t realize that they have the right to choose their caregiver in the first place.Understanding your loved one’s patient rights for in home care is the best way to advocate for their health and safety. Reputable in home care services should have a Patient Bill of Rights that is accessible for you to view. To learn more about your loved one’s ability to choose, check out our Patient Bill of Rights in home care.
Q: How is my caregiver selected?
A: By you and your loved one.
A trustworthy in home care service will work with you to match your loved one with a caregiver. After selecting an in home care provider, a meet and greet should take place so you and your loved one can meet potential caregivers. Meeting face to face will allow you to interview the caregiver and ask them about their experience and credentials.During the meeting, you will also be able to see firsthand how your loved one interacts with the caregiver. This will allow you to see if the caregiver can both meet your loved one’s health requirements and get along with them personally. If your loved one doesn’t like a caregiver, they won’t feel comfortable being taken care of by them. Being able to meet in person and see if your loved one kicks it off with the caregiver will give you both peace of mind when care officially starts.
Q: How is caregiver quality assurance performed?
A: By the in home care provider.
Your potential caregiver’s credentials should be made available by the in home care service. A reliable in home care provider will perform a background check on a caregiver before hiring them. Don’t be afraid to ask the provider how background checks are performed—you are the best advocate for your loved one’s safety.The provider should also be able to tell you how their caregivers are certified and what services they can perform. For example, we have several programs to keep our caregivers up-to-date on the best caregiving practices. Our Compassionate Alzheimer’s & Loss of Memory Support Program (CALMS) ensures our caregivers are able to provide for patients with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and memory loss. To make sure you loved one is getting the care they need, ask the provider how they perform caregiver quality assurance.
Q: Can I change caregivers?
A: Yes, at any time!
Not only do you and your loved one have the right to select a caregiver, but you can also change at any time. If your loved one isn’t satisfied with their care, they have the right to choose another caregiver without fear of discrimination. You can also voice opinions and grievances as well regarding the quality of your loved one’s care. After all, your loved one will be spending time with the caregiver, so having a good rapport is extremely important to ensure their quality of care.Remember, whether you’re selecting a caregiver for the first time or choosing a new one, you have the right to choose who provides care for your loved one. If you would like to find a caregiver that can meet your loved one’s needs, we are here to help you make that connection. Contact us today to start your care journey.
