Four Reasons to Choose a Senior Home Care Agency over a Self-Employed Caregiver
When choosing the best senior home care for your loved one, there are many options to consider. During your search, you may have noticed that there are both agencies and self-employed caregivers. While both options may provide quality care, there are several benefits to choosing an agency over a self-employed caregiver.
Let’s look at four reasons why you should choose a senior home care agency instead of a self-employed caregiver.
1. Access to Resources
Agencies have access to resources that self-employed caregivers typically don’t have. These resources include things like backup caregivers in case of illness or emergency (which is especially important if your loved one has special needs or is receiving palliative or hospice care), specialized equipment such as wheelchairs or Hoyer lifts, and more.
In addition, agencies often have more capital to invest in professional training and development for their caregivers. This ensures that the care your loved one gets is of the highest quality, with up-to-date knowledge and skills.
2. Background Checks
All staff members at an established senior home care agency must pass rigorous background checks before they are hired. This includes checks for criminal records, references, education, and past employment history. Unfortunately, conducting background checks is often costly, making it difficult to know if your loved one is safe.
Additionally, some states may have regulations that require caregivers to be licensed or certified, and agencies will ensure their staff meets those standards.
Self-employed caregivers do not always meet these requirements—so families need to do their own research on any potential caregiver before hiring them. Furthermore, agencies often require additional training, such as CPR and First Aid certification, which guarantees that all staff members are up to date on the latest safety protocols and procedures.
3. Professionalism and Reliability
Agencies employ professional caregivers who are reliable and trustworthy. They arrive on time each day, stick to the schedule, and follow all instructions set by family members. This structure and accountability can offer a sense of security and peace of mind that your loved one is in good hands.
Agency caregivers are also held to a higher standard of professionalism and have a larger staff. This means that families don’t have to worry about constantly searching for new caregivers if the current one becomes unavailable or needs a break.
Self-employed caregivers may not be held accountable in the same way. For example, they may not show up when scheduled or cancel last minute due to other commitments or prior engagements. This could leave your loved one without essential care during a trying time, leaving you and your family scrambling for a replacement.
4. Specialized Care Plans
Senior home care agencies specialize in providing personalized care plans tailored specifically for each individual client’s needs. This includes creating meal plans, providing transportation to appointments or activities, helping with medication reminders, assisting with household tasks such as grocery shopping or laundry, providing companionship through conversation and activities—and much more.
With an agency, you can rest assured knowing that your loved one is getting exactly what they need to stay safe and comfortable at home.
Some self-employed caregivers may not have the skills or experience necessary to provide specialized care plans and may not be as knowledgeable or certified in certain areas. Plus, they don’t have additional help, so they may not have the bandwidth to provide the same care and attentiveness as an agency.
Finding the Best Caregiver for Your Senior Loved One
No matter which type of senior home care you choose for your loved one, it’s vital that the caregiver is someone who your family trusts and feels comfortable with. When interviewing potential caregivers, be sure to ask questions about their experience, training, and availability.
You should also use a checklist to ensure that the caregiver is qualified and has all the necessary certifications. It can include items such as background checks, references from former employers, certifications in CPR and First Aid, and any other qualifications specific to your loved one’s needs.
Taking the time to research and compare your options is the best way to ensure that you are making the right decision for your loved one. With a senior home care agency, you can be confident that your family member is receiving quality care from a professional and reliable team.
And although many self-employed caregivers offer less expensive services than agencies, the peace of mind that comes from choosing an agency is worth the added cost.
Conclusion
Choosing an established senior home care agency over a self-employed caregiver will give you access to resources you wouldn’t otherwise have, including background checks, professionalism, and reliability, as well as specialized care plans tailored specifically for each individual client’s needs. In addition, you can rest assured knowing that your family member is receiving quality care from a professional and reliable team.
At Visiting Angels SW Oklahoma City, we understand the importance of finding quality care for your loved one. Our team is dedicated to providing families with the best in-home senior care, tailoring our services to fit each person’s individual needs. Contact us today to learn more about how we can assist your family. We proudly serve seniors and their families throughout Southwest Oklahoma City, Moore, Norman, Mustang, Union City, Blanchard, Tuttle and Newcastle.