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Once you've decided what level of care you think is appropriate, and have
discussed your parent's privacy and care preferences with him or her, it's time
to start researching individual care providers.
Before you begin, you should establish a budget so you know what your parent can
afford to pay. And if you're looking for residential care, you should consider the
maximum distance from your house that seems reasonable.
Experts recommend you involve your parent in the decision-making process as much
as possible. By doing so, you can make the transition easier for your parent and less
difficult for you.
WHAT TO ASK A HOME CARE AGENCY
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HOME CARE PROVIDERS
For home care, one of your biggest decisions will be whether to hire someone on
your own or from a home care agency. You can usually find help more quickly through
agencies, especially if you need trained and licensed staff. Agencies can provide
backup workers, in case your usual worker can't make it, and will handle employee
benefits and payroll taxes.
However, agency workers cost more than independent workers, and you might be limited
in the services you can request. You also might not be able to choose an individual worker.
If you prefer to hire an independent care provider, you can find one by advertising or by
asking your parent's doctor or the local Independent Living Center (ILC) for references.
However, without an agency providing the service, you are accountable for the quality of care
your parent receives. Therefore, it's important to hire carefully and perform a thorough
background check on potential care providers. You will need written permission from the
applicant to do criminal background checks and credit checks, and to request driving records
and medical records. Private investigation companies can collect this information for a fee.
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GET THE BASICS
Ask for the following information from a potential home care worker:
- Prior experience
- Relevant training and certification
- Three to five references
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OUTSIDE LINKS
www.aarp.org/families/
AARP can provide you with information on selecting a home health agency.
www.ilusa.com
Independent Living Centers are private, non-profit, community-based organizations that provide
service and advocacy for people with disabilities. The website features a directory of ILCs in
the US.
www.dol.gov
The US Department of Labor provides information on laws and regulations like the
Fair Labor Standards Act that may apply if you decide to hire an independent care
provider.
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RESIDENTIAL CARE
Choosing residential care requires a combination of clear-eyed research and instinctive
reaction. Your first step will be to assess whether the staff of the residential facility
is competent and the environment safe. But whether your parent will be comfortable there
is a question only he or she can answer.
NOT MEDICARE CERTIFIED?
Some high-quality residential care facilities aren't Medicare-certified, such as assisted
living facilities that aren't skilled nursing facilities. Some good skilled nursing
facilities choose not to participate in Medicare or Medicaid.
You can find information on facilities that aren't listed in the Medicare database by
contacting your state nursing home survey agency, part of the state department of health.
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If you're looking for nursing homes that are Medicare-certified, a good place to start
is the Medicare website's Nursing Home Compare tool
(www.medicare.gov/NHCompare/Home.asp),
which you can use to find Medicare-certified skilled nursing facilities by area and view
inspection reports.
After you've reviewed a facility's certification and inspection record, you can call
and ask basic questions about cost, vacancies and availability, services, level of care,
and other criteria.
When you visit a facility, it's best to take your parent along if you can. Experts recommend
two visits: one scheduled with the administrator, and one unscheduled visit to check the accuracy
of your impression. As you walk around, you can talk to residents and staff to get a feel for
the quality of care, and keep an eye out for cleanliness and safety.
To learn about previous complaints or citations, one good source is the facility's local
Long-Term Care Ombudsman, an official advocate for residents of adult care facilities.
To find contact information for the appropriate ombudsman, go to
www.ltcombudsman.org
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