Is a Long Beach Homecare Agency the Right Choice for My Parent?
By: Rhiannon | Posted: 20th September 2011
Homecare is a buzzword these days, especially amongst baby boomers. They or their children are increasingly searching for homecare services. If you live in the Long Beach area, you probably found this article because you’re wondering about your options.
The role of homecare has essentially been a boom in and of itself. It’s always been around, but now there is a huge need for it. Most adult children generally don’t want to put their elderly parent in a nursing home or in an assisted living facility if they don’t have to. They want their parent living in Long Beach to be cared for by a professional homecare agency because it gives them an independence that simply can’t be provided by other options.
If you’re looking for a Long Beach homecare agency, you first need to know what it provides. Every type of care offers different skill levels, so it’s important to understand what homecare is in the first place. Homecare generally refers to a wide variety of services offered in the home by professionals who provide:
- Companion services
- Safety monitoring
- Home maintenance
- Meal preparation
- Personal care, including toiletry, bathing, and grooming
- Transportation, such as errands, shopping, and trips to doctor’s appointments
- Medication management
- Light housekeeping
The extent of homecare services is immense. But if your loved one needs around-the-clock nursing assistance, a Long Beach homecare agency may not be the best choice. If you’re reading this, though, it’s probably because your aging parent can and wants to live alone, but needs some daily or weekly homecare services. Ask these questions before you hire a Long Beach homecare agency:
- How long have you been in business and what is your background? The number of years in business doesn’t equate to the quality of care, but it gives you an idea of the agency’s track record. Check the Long Beach homecare agency’s background for its reputation, its Better Business Bureau ratings, and its ratings on sites like Yelp for "Long Beach homecare agency." Reviews by happy or unhappy customers say a lot.
- Are employees bonded and insured? Professional homecare agencies have workers’ compensation insurance for employees. This protects you legally and financially if the homecare agency’s caregiver is injured in an accident.
- Does it perform background checks on employees? You need to ensure your loved one is not only cared for, but is safe as well. You need to make sure the Long Beach homecare agency performs a thorough background check for arrest records for elder abuse, sexual misconduct, DUIs, and other crimes.
- Will one caregiver be assigned? Care is almost always better when the same caregiver regularly assists your loved one. This helps create a strong bond, trust, and higher level of comfort. Ask the Long Beach homecare agency if they provide caregivers based on availability or if there is a dedicated caregiver.
- Will the agency provide references? Ask for a list of the home caregiver agency’s professional references and clients, and take the time to speak with as many of them as you can. After all, your loved one’s care and safety will be in their hands.
Ask these questions yourself by contacting Cambrian Homecare at www.CambrianHomecare.com or 877.422.2270 to speak with a Long Beach homecare agency that will take care of your loved one. This article is free for republishing
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Tags: boom, better business bureau, best choice, buzzword, appointments, baby boomers, medication, adult children, skill levels, long beach, nursing home, elderly parent, meal preparation, home maintenance, assisted living facility, quality of care