It can be a daunting task trying to find in-home care for you or your senior loved one. When you begin the process, you may call many different agencies and ask about the rates and services on offer. But you might still feel unsure about which agency to choose.
On the phone, or looking online, all the home care agencies may seem the same. That’s why you need to schedule a free in-home assessment for elderly people. The assessment will give you a chance to meet the agency’s employees and get an idea about the quality of care you’re likely to receive.
Read on to find out more about in-home assessments and what you can do to prepare.
Using In-Home Assessments to Choose a Home Care Agency
Of course, price is an important factor when you’re looking for a home care agency because you have to be able to afford the services you need. But weighing up the cost should be the final step in your search process for senior care.
The first step is to schedule an in-home assessment for elderly and older adults. The assessment plays an important part in your due diligence to make sure the agency is a good fit for you or your loved one.
Here’s why you may be apprehensive about moving forward with an assessment:
- You or your loved one are reluctant to admit you need help with daily living because you value your independent quality of life.
- You’re worried the assessment will be a high-pressure sales situation, similar to buying a car with the stereotypical pushy car salesman.
Fortunately, a quality home care agency will simply come to your home to give you all the information you need and address any of your concerns. The employees won’t be pushy because they’ll be confident they can provide quality care at an affordable and reasonable price.
After the visit, you can make an informed decision without any pressure to sign up.
How to Prepare for Your In-Home Assessment
Before a caregiver visits to perform an in-home assessment, it’s helpful to do a quick self-assessment to evaluate you or your loved one’s needs. Your notes will help the agency understand the level of assistance you need to remain living independently at home.
You will typically answer questions about:
- Your lifestyle, including things like waking/sleeping times and exercise
- Medical conditions and management of medications
- Mobility and whether you need help moving around the home environment or going outside for fresh air
- Activities of daily living (ADLs) you may need help with, like bathing, grooming, toileting, and getting dressed
- Transportation and whether you’re still driving
- Shopping and whether you can go to the store alone
- Meal preparation and whether you can cook and eat without assistance
- Phone and internet use and whether you can communicate easily with the outside world, including friends, family, and health care professionals
- Housework and household organization
- A home safety assessment including whether you have grab bars, senior toilet seats, and other modifications in place, or whether your home needs updating on that front
- How well you’re managing your finances and staying on top of bills
If your loved one is worried or nervous about getting in-home care for the first time, a discussion about these topics may help them realize they need assistance. This decision will then lead to a beneficial and productive home care assessment.
What to Do During Your In-Home Assessment for Elderly
The most important thing to remember about your in-home assessment is that you and your family members are assessing your potential caregivers as much as they are assessing you.
With a service as important as in-home care for your loved one, you want to meet and get to know the people you might be hiring since they will be providing a range of personal services on a regular basis.
Keep these points in mind during your in-home assessment:
- Do you feel comfortable with this person and agency providing care for you or your loved one? Consider your first impression and the caregivers’ overall manner.
- The assessment is your chance to voice any concerns you may have and ask as many questions as you please. Don’t hesitate to repeat a question if the answer isn’t clear.
- The assessment allows you to see first-hand the quality of the company and its employees.
When you’re the family caregiver in charge of scheduling in-home assessments, keep a positive outlook and try as many agencies as you need to find the one that makes you feel comfortable.
You don’t need to feel daunted by in-home assessments for the elderly—you can embrace them as a helpful part of your journey!
Next Steps: Budgeting for In-Home Care
Of course, quality in-home care comes at a price. The good news is that in-home care services are significantly more affordable than live-in nursing homes or assisted living communities.
All home care agencies should offer you a completely free, no-obligation, in-home assessment to get the ball rolling. Then once you choose an agency, you can weigh the services and costs to find the right long-term care plan for you and your loved one.
Click below for tips on how to pay for the in-home services you and your family need to comfortably manage the aging process.
