Considering hiring private duty home care workers? You are not alone. More and more Americans are hiring private duty nurses to take away the enormous pressures of caring for their loved ones and juggle multiple chores simultaneously. Unlike home health care services, private duty services are different. Here’s a look at what private duty services include and what to look for when hiring private home care duty workers for yourself or your loved ones.
What is private duty care?
Private duty home care services include client home visits that don’t require any medical care. Their main work is to ensure the client completes all their daily activities.
Private duty home care is non-medical care provided by caregivers who are not licensed medical personnel. When a person cannot complete their daily tasks because of an injury or an illness, a private home care duty caregiver can assist with:
- Personal care and dressing (bathing, grooming, hygiene, brushing hair, shaving, etc.)
- Preparing light meals and feeding.
- Grocery shopping.
- Help with pet care.
- Light homemaking chores like laundry and house cleaning.
- Following a medication regimen, monitoring medications, and medicine reminders.
- Making phone calls, sorting mail, and other communications.
- Mobility and transfers, and walking.
- Providing companionship and emotional support.
- Ensuring safety in the home.
How to find a private duty home care agency
Whether you feel unsafe at home or have difficulty completing everyday tasks because of health or age-related issues, private duty care can help within the comfort of your home. Agencies, nurse registries, and private caregivers all provide these specialized services. There are differences in the care each of these services provides. But they all aim to make the client comfortable, safe, and independent in their home.
When you begin looking for a private duty home care worker, the first step is to scout all the agencies in your area. Also, look for agencies that will provide private duty home care workers to your locality. Going through the website and online brochures of all the companies on your list is the next step- however, it’s also important to vet each organization thoroughly.
Fifteen questions to ask when hiring a private duty home care agency
Here are 15 questions to ask when hiring private duty home care workers:
1. Does the agency have experience managing the type of senior care you need?
2. How often does the agency supervise its caregivers?
3. What procedures should you follow if you are dissatisfied with the care provided or require backup care?
4. How long has the agency been in business?
5. Is the agency registered and licensed? Insured and bonded?
6. What screening process does the agency use for the caregivers? Background checks are critical.
7. Do caregivers receive ongoing training? Will training impact the care your loved one receives?
8. What is the agency’s policy about care on holidays?
9. Does the agency assign supervisors to ensure high quality of care? How often will a supervisor get in touch with the client/the client’s family?
10. Does the agency have a 24×7 customer service number in case there is a problem?
11. How does the agency ensure the right caregiver match for your loved one?
12. What range of private care duties does the agency provide? Will they meet any special needs?
13. Does the organization have malpractice insurance?
14. Will a therapist or nurse evaluate your home care needs?
15. Will the agency provide written statements regarding all the costs and payment plan options?
Conclusion
Home health care services are a fantastic option for those who need assistance at home. However, choosing the right agency and caregiver cannot be left to chance.
Looking for private home health care Seminole? There are over two dozen private home health care agencies in Seminole. Follow these tips when choosing an agency, and you have a better chance of finding the perfect agency and caregiver for your loved one.
About No Place Like HomeCare
No Place Like HomeCare is a leading caregiver and nurse referral agency that provides home health care services and senior assistance in Florida. No Place Like HomeCare is licensed to provide private home health care Seminole.
No Place Like HomeCare, LLC 