By Andy Smith and Ellen Smith of Comfort Keepers

One of the hardest realizations you may have in life is recognizing the fact that your mother, father or spouse is unable to care for themselves.

One of the toughest choices you may make is trying to decide who is going to provide the care they may need. This decision is crucial as there are all types of homecare agencies, and the quality of care can vary dramatically.   The decision of who cares for your loved ones can be quite complicated and difficult for all concerned.

Conversations may become emotional, but are essential when living alone becomes a danger for the senior. Once you cross the threshold and begin the selection process in earnest, there are several key points for evaluating homecare agencies you should know and discuss with your loved one.

Here is a list of 25 key questions to ask potential health care providers to assist you in making your choice:

1. How many years has your agency, in its present form, been in business serving the community?
2. In what city is your agency located? Do you operate out of a home, or in an actual office?
3. Does your agency carry liability coverage?
4. Does the agency conduct national and local criminal background checks and driving record checks of all employees?
5. Are at least three professional references required and checked for all caregivers you consider hiring?
6. Are all of your caregivers employees of your company (not contractors) and protected by workers’ compensation insurance?
7. Are caregivers bonded and insured for theft?
8. Does your agency have a systematic method for tracking caregiver arrival and departure times at the client’s home?
9. Do you provide live telephone service 24 hours a day?
10. Do you provide backup coverage in the event a caregiver      cannot make it to work?
11. Does your agency require a minimum number of hours per      shift? If so, what is the minimum?
12. Do your services include Personal Care such as bathing,      incontinence care, and mobility assistance?
13. Does your agency provide transportation services for      clients?
14. Does your agency maintain a business office where I can      meet you and the office staff?
15. Do you provide in writing the care services provided and clearly describe all rates and fees and extra charges?
16. Does your agency make periodic supervisory visits to a      client’s home?
17. Can you provide documentation explaining the client’s rights, your code of ethics, Workers’ Compensation coverage, and      compliance with HIPAA (the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act]?
18. Can you provide emergency monitoring systems, medication solutions and other safety technology?
19. Will your agency provide a free in-home assessment prior to starting service?
20. How quickly can your agency initiate service?
21. Do you provide initial training for your new hires? If so, what is the duration of that training and what does it include?
22. Do you provide both live-in and live-out services?
23. Describe your hiring practices in depth.
24. Does your agency have a nurse on your staff payroll? Or do you only have a nurse you consult with when medical questions arise? Or neither?
25.  Are you certified by any government organization or by any private association, such as the California Association of      Health Services at Home (CAHSAH)?

This article is by Andy Smith and Ellen Smith who run the Ventura County, California office of Comfort Keeper ® , a world leader in the eldercare field, part of a network of over 680 offices  providing in-home, non-medical care to seniors. They are committed to improving the quality of life for the elderly, and easing the burden on their concerned loved ones.  For more information about Comfort Keepers, please visit www.comfortkeepers.com