Dear Nurse Nessa is Nestcare's nurse advice column. Questions can be submitted HERE, and are answered by Registered Nurses with over a decade of experience in home care, home health, or related nursing fields.
Dear Nurse Nessa,
I’m reaching out because my siblings and I are really struggling to find the right home care provider for our mom. She’s 82 and still somewhat independent but definitely needs help with daily tasks like bathing, meal prep, and medication management. We all work full-time and don’t live nearby, so it’s getting harder to give her the support she needs.
We’re feeling overwhelmed by all the options out there and want to make sure we choose the right agency. Can you give us some advice on what to look for when choosing home care?
Thank you so much!
Melissa G.
Hi Melissa,
Thanks for writing in! First of all, let me say you and your siblings are doing an incredible job by focusing on getting the right care for your mom. It can feel overwhelming with so many options, but with a little guidance, I’m confident you’ll find a provider that’s a perfect fit for your family’s needs.
Here are some things to keep in mind when choosing the right home care provider:
How to choose home care
First, Check Licensing and Accreditation
The first thing to do is check whether the agency is licensed and accredited. In Florida, agencies should be licensed by the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA), which ensures they meet state standards. Not every agency is the same—some, like Homemaker/Companion agencies, are only registered and can’t provide hands-on care. Since your mom needs help with personal tasks like bathing and medication management, I’d recommend looking at Private Duty Home Health Agencies. These agencies are licensed to provide a broader range of services, including both personal and medical care.
Next, Understand the Different Types of Agencies
There are several types of home care providers, and it’s important to choose the one that best fits your mom’s needs. Here’s a quick breakdown:
Homemaker/Companion Agencies: They provide non-medical help, like housekeeping, meal prep, and companionship. These agencies are great if someone is mostly independent but needs some help with chores. However, they don’t offer personal care (like bathing) or medical services.
Private-Duty Home Health Agencies: These agencies offer both personal and medical services, which sounds like exactly what your mom needs. They can help with everything from daily care like bathing and mobility to managing medications.
Medicare-Certified Home Health Agencies: These agencies are for people who need skilled medical care prescribed by a doctor, like physical therapy or wound care. If your mom’s needs change or she has a surgery, this is a good option to know about.
Nurse Registries/Private Caregivers: These agencies connect families with caregivers, but the caregivers aren’t employees of the agency, so there’s less oversight. While you get flexibility, you may be responsible for handling things like insurance or accidents.
Then, Look at Caregiver Qualifications
When it comes to caregiving, qualifications matter. Ask about the background and training of the caregivers. Ideally, you want professionals like Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) or Home Health Aides (HHAs), who are trained to help with personal care and have experience working with seniors. At Nestcare, for example, our caregivers go through extensive training to ensure they can meet both the medical and emotional needs of our clients.
In Addition, Consider Personalized Care Plans
Every person is unique, so the care plan for your mom should be tailored specifically to her. A good home care agency will sit down with you, your mom, and her healthcare providers to design a care plan that meets her needs—whether that’s help with daily activities or more advanced medical care. It’s also important that the plan can be adjusted as your mom’s needs change over time.
Then Ask About Shift Minimums and Consistent Staffing
Another thing to check is how many hours or shifts an agency requires. Many agencies will have minimum shift requirements, like four consecutive hours per shift. This helps ensure consistent care and keeps your mom from feeling like there are too many different caregivers coming and going. Speaking of consistency, you’ll also want to make sure the agency can provide the same caregiver regularly, so they can build a relationship with your mom and really understand her preferences.
Don't Forget About Insurance and Liability
It’s really important that the agency carries liability insurance to protect both your mom and the caregiver. Licensed agencies, like Private Duty Home Care Agencies, are required to have this, which means you won’t be financially responsible if there’s an accident. However, if you hire a caregiver independently or through a Nurse Registry, you might not have the same protections.
Also, Check Reputation and Reviews
Don’t forget to look up reviews! See what other families have said about their experiences with the agency. You can also ask for references or get recommendations from friends or healthcare providers. A solid reputation is often a good sign that an agency provides reliable, compassionate care.
Why Nestcare Could Be the Right Fit
If you’re looking for an agency that truly prioritizes personalized, high-quality care, Nestcare could be the right choice for your mom. We provide everything from personal care to skilled nursing, and we specialize in matching clients with caregivers who can meet both their medical and emotional needs. We also work with you to create a care plan that evolves with your mom’s changing needs, making sure she’s always receiving the best care possible.
Overall, How to Choose the Right Home Care
Melissa, you’re already on the right track by doing your research and asking the right questions. Start with making sure the agency is licensed, then dig into the types of services they offer, their caregiver qualifications, and their reputation. Make sure to ask about shift minimums and caregiver consistency so your mom can build a trusted relationship with her caregiver. And finally, don’t forget to check if the agency has liability insurance to protect everyone involved.
If you or your family have any other questions, feel free to reach out! Nestcare is always here to help make this process a little easier. If you are looking for a video that you can share with others, check out our Parenting Your Parents series, and this video about how to choose a home care.
Best Wishes,
Nurse Nessa
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