Starting Home Care with Visiting Angels: What to Expect
No matter your age, starting something new often causes an array of emotions. This is true even for seniors, who’ve no doubt had decades of experience starting new jobs, moving to new communities, trying new hobbies, or beginning a family. So it’s safe to say that when it comes time to start a new season of life that involves home care, seniors and their families may experience a wide range of emotions, from excitement to anxiety.
Visiting Angels Green Bay understands the apprehension seniors and their families may have about beginning home care services. We’ve compiled a few FAQs to help ease some of that angst so that it’s no longer a barrier to making that initial call.
What happens when I call?
When you contact Visiting Angels Green Bay, you’ll be greeted by a friendly staff member who will be happy to answer any questions you have about our services. During that initial call, we like to get a feel for your personal situation so that we know how best to proceed. We then schedule a free in-home consultation at your convenience so that we can learn more about you and your needs.
What happens during the free consultation?
During the free consultation, we simply gather more information about you and your situation. We like to get to know your personality, your preferred routines, how you enjoy spending your free time, and where you see needing help. We also perform our own assessment of your situation so that we can discern if we can provide the care that you need. We cover topics such as personal hygiene, housekeeping needs, cognition, mobility, emotional and social needs, routines, and other logistics.
Can my family member(s) be present?
Yes! We are more than happy to meet with you and family members who are involved in your well-being. Your family members are welcome to join us during the in-home consultation. We can also arrange to speak with family members who can’t be present via a conference call.
What happens after the consultation?
At Visiting Angels Green Bay, we believe in the individuality of each of our clients. We understand that every senior is unique; therefore, their care plan should reflect their individual needs and preferences. After meeting with you and discussing care options, we create a care plan that will fit your routine and schedule. Nothing is set in stone. We review the care plan with each client and their family members to ensure that everyone is on the same page.
Do I have any input on selecting my caregiver?
Yes! Although our care coordinators can match you with a caregiver based on your care needs, preferences, and personality, we also allow our clients to choose their own caregiver through our Select Your Caregiver program. We can arrange for you to meet with a few caregivers whom we feel would be a great fit, and you can select your preferred caregiver. We want our client/caregiver relationship to thrive. If at any time you no longer feel comfortable with your caregiver or feel it isn’t the right match, we will be happy to make a change.
What happens if I’m not ready for home care after the assessment?
If you’re not ready to proceed with our home care services after the initial assessment, we understand! We will continue to touch base with you or your family member until you’re ready to begin home care or you are no longer interested in pursuing home care. You are not committing to anything during our free consultation. There are other local resources that might be useful to help you maintain your independence until you are ready to begin home care. We encourage seniors and their families to explore resources available through the Aging & Disability Resource Center of Brown County.
What can I do if Mom or Dad refuses to recognize they need more help and I can’t provide it?
We understand the difficult dilemma adult children face when they see the signs that Mom or Dad needs more help at home, but Mom or Dad isn’t on board. We recommend you talk with their doctor so that Mom or Dad’s primary care physician can help get the conversation started. Another thought is to reach out to advisory companies, such as Oasis Senior Advisors. Such companies can help start the conversation about home care and provide unbiased recommendations on the next steps to take.
We hope you’ve realized that making that initial call to Visiting Angels Green Bay isn’t as scary as it seems. No matter your situation, you can count on our commitment to you remaining the same. We commit to providing top-quality care with dignity and respect when you prefer and need help. We also commit to making you feel at ease from that first phone call to the first day you begin services with us. Please don’t let feelings of uncertainty prevent you from getting the help that you need. We invite you to contact us today by calling 920-366-5402 and schedule that free home consultation.