How can we better evaluate senior care services and make more accurate decisions regarding the selection of a service?
This is one of the more frequently asked questions that we hear, especially from families that are just not sure which caregiver or service is going to help their family the most. And while there are a ton of senior care products and services out there on the market, finding accurate information about them isn’t always that easy.
There are a couple approaches to this. The first involves learning all that you can about other people’s experiences. Are there local services that have a really good reputation? A really bad reputation? What do reviews say? Do you know anyone who works within these services or people that have used them in the past? Start by looking at these things. They are certainly not definitive, but they can give you a good idea of what others have done and what’s worked and not worked for them.
Next, rely on those that have a deeper knowledge of your loved one’s needs. Ultimately, it all depends on what you are trying to accomplish with senior care. Starting from a goals perspective will help you to more closely determine whether a care service, or even a type of care, has the ability to help your family meet their needs.
This is great if you know what you want to accomplish with care. If you don’t, don’t worry. You are not alone here. Your first step is to get in touch with your loved one’s doctor. Sit down and talk with them regarding physical needs, disabilities, and risks and pitfalls. Talk about the different types of senior care that exist, and get a general idea of which course will be of most value to you. This will go a long way toward helping you establish a solid starting point.
From this point of view, you will now have an idea of what you would like to accomplish with senior care. From here, it’s just a matter of seeing what is available in your area, getting an idea of how you can pay for the care that is received, and finding a set of personalities and approaches that work best with your older family member. Each person is unique, and each person will have a different criteria for who they enjoy working with. These little things are important to take into account, too.
Finally, start contacting the senior care services in your area and see how they mesh up with the goals and desires that you’ve established. Many care services (like ours!) offer consulting services and will help you to answer your questions and refine what you’re looking for. You can make an educated decision on how a specific care service can help you and your family from there.
Have more questions? Please don’t hesitate to call us. We’d love to help you make a more informed decision regarding care so that your family can get the best possible assistance.
Leave a Reply