How Do I Choose the Right Home Care Agency?

What Questions Should I Ask a Home Care Agency? 

First, let’s back up a second. Why should you choose an agency and not just find a private caregiver or use some kind of clearing house staffing company? The main reasons are reliability, quality of care, and liability. The State of North Carolina has clear outlined guidelines and license requirements to provide in-home care for seniors. The state inspects licensed agencies to ensure their caregiver staffs have proper training and guidance in providing care for seniors in our state. While private caregivers will be cheaper, there is a reason for that. The old saying “you get what you pay for” could never be truer when it comes to home care.  

Reliability is a huge factor. Larger quality home care agencies have large caregiver staffs that are able to cover call outs. There is nothing worse than a small agency or private caregiver who can’t make a shift and that senior goes without eating or getting their medications that day or for days on end.  

Liability and litigation are another HUGE factor. Private caregivers and staffing agencies don’t insure or bond their caregivers. Many injury lawsuits result from injured or simply unscrupulous private caregivers. You do not want to put yourself or your loved one at financial ruin due to not being protected by using a licensed bonded and insured agency. 

So, the first questions you should ask should be: 

1. Are your caregivers insured? 

2. Are you licensed by the State of North Carolina? 

3. Can you cover a call out? What percentage of scheduled shifts do you cover? 

4. What is your review rating on Google or social media? .. You of course can check these ratings before you call any home care company. 

5. What ongoing training do your caregivers receive? 

6. What awards or accreditation do you have? Only local awards voted on by local citizens are “true” awards... Sadly, the healthcare industry has seen an explosion of fake national awards lately where a home care agency signs up and pays a fee with a national organization and suddenly a few months later that agency wins an award... While some national awards are legitimate, be very wary about any awards that aren’t local. 

Home Care, So Many Choices 

Over the past decade, there has been a significant increase in home care agencies serving the Lake Norman area. Many of these are small operations with limited staff. Fortunately, several larger, more experienced providers offer services in Mooresville, Huntersville, Cornelius, Statesville, Denver, and the surrounding areas. Among the most reputable is Visiting Angels Lake Norman, known for its expertise, multiple local award-winning quality, and for being a respected and perhaps the best-known healthcare resource provider in the area. Along with being the premier in home care agency in the Lake Norman area. 

Home Care is Not Just for Mom and Dad 

The philosophy of a home care agency should be that they are not only taking care of the senior themself, but also the client’s family. Providing guidance to the family as they navigate all of the healthcare options available should be part of a quality home care agency’s value-added services. Is the agency well established in the community? Do they have alliances and partnerships with other providers like skilled physical and occupational therapy companies, palliative care originations, primary care physician offices, hospice organizations, medical equipment companies, aging in place construction companies, wound care specialists, hospital systems, care management companies, etc. 

Home care agencies should also be experts in dementia care, with agency leadership being able to talk to families and offer guidance through their loved one's dementia journey. 

Do Your Research 

Read Google, Yelp, and social media reviews. At Visiting Angels Lake Norman, we find the most powerful research tool for our potential clients is to challenge them to contact any local healthcare provider and ask them about Visiting Angels. We are confident the response they receive will give them the confidence to utilize Visiting Angels services.

We also invite you to “grill us” on questions and concerns regarding your loved one's care needs. We haven’t earned our great local reputation just by chance, we’ve earned it through providing quality care and transparency in all we do. You can reach Visiting Angels Lake Norman at 704-892-8886 or email your questions to smadow@visitingangels.com