Get the Most Out of a Free Home Care Consultation
If you’re considering in-home personal care services for your senior loved one, you probably have a lot of questions about scheduling options, costs, services provided, caregiver qualifications, and whether in-home care is the best choice. And, with the variety of senior care options available, you might even feel a bit overwhelmed.
A free in-home care consultation with a Visiting Angels care coordinator is one of the best ways to learn about personal care services provided by our compassionate, professional caregivers. Care coordinators offer no-cost, no-obligation consultations designed to answer your questions and provide expert guidance to help you navigate the senior care decision-making process — giving you peace of mind without added pressure.
Here are a few things you need to know to help you and your loved one get the most out of your free home care consultation:
What is the Purpose of an In-Home Personal Care Consultation?
An in-home consultation provides an opportunity to learn about Visiting Angels’ services and ask any questions you may have. The consultation helps the care coordinators to get to know you and your loved one and understand any specific care needs.
How to Prepare for an In-Home Personal Care Consultation?
Before your consultation, the most important step is letting your senior loved one know you are considering hiring an in-home caregiver. The home care decision can be an emotionally sensitive issue and may be met with objections to hiring a caregiver. If your loved one resists the idea, be sure to listen to his or her opinions and concerns. Emphasize their well-being is your top priority.
It may also be helpful to think about your senior’s needs, such as what time of day he/she needs assistance and what tasks are the most challenging. You may also want to review financial situations in advance, so you have an idea of how much to budget for in-home personal care.
It’s also a good idea to make a list of any questions or concerns and bring the list to the consultation.
What Happens During the Consultation?
A Visiting Angels’ care coordinator from your local agency will schedule an in-person meeting with you and your senior in your loved one’s home.
Although discussing personal care needs may feel embarrassing for your loved one, you can rest assured our compassionate care coordinators are skilled at putting older adults and family caregivers at ease. Topics discussed may include:
- Personal care needs
Assistance with bathing and grooming, dressing, mobility, fall prevention, and toileting. - Homemaking needs
Light housekeeping, laundry, meal planning/preparation, and grocery shopping. - Memory care needs
Reminders to eat, stay hydrated, engage in physical activity, and take medications. - Emotional care needs
Social interaction, conversation, activities, and hobbies. - Scheduling
Daily routines, times when assistance is needed, and caregiver schedule options. - Logistics and policies
How caregivers will enter your loved one’s home, how to communicate with your local agency, and how to reschedule care. - Other specific requests
Dietary restrictions, meal preferences, assisting with errands, transportation to appointments, and more.
In-home consultations also include complimentary home safety and fall-risk assessments, as well as a discussion of your loved one’s specific safety needs.
Your care coordinator will take the time to answer any questions you may have about caregiver qualifications, safety, oversight, emergency procedures, and other concerns.
What Happens After the Consultation?
Your Visiting Angels’ care coordinator will use information from your care consultation to develop a comprehensive care plan tailored to your loved one’s unique needs. The comprehensive plan will include a care schedule and a description of specific activities and tasks that require caregiver assistance.
Your care coordinator will then match your loved one with a compatible caregiver. Through the Select Your Caregiver® program, you can be confident your loved one will have a caregiver who is the right fit for their needs and personality.
How Soon Can Home Care Services Begin?
Visiting Angels caregivers can typically begin providing services within 48 hours of the initial consultation. In some cases, home care services can start the same day.
How Can I Participate in the Consultation if I Live Far Away?
If you’re a long-distance caregiver, your loved one’s local agency will conduct a one-on-one in-home consultation with your loved one and a detailed phone consultation with you.