How to Provide Quality Care for the Elderly and Disabled
By Rachelle Wilber
It can be difficult to find a good fit when it comes to knowing that your loved ones are receiving quality care. There are numerous options, but not all of them are affordable. Here are some of the ways that you can ensure that the elderly and disabled in your life are still receiving quality care.
Check References
Check out any in-home care aids or nursing homes that you’re considering before you put your loved one into them. Find out how the business works, and what tools and software that they use to assist them. It can be comforting to use a care company that uses NDIS software for small providers, for example, as they will be able to keep all of your loved ones’ information in one place and share progress notes and updates with you about your loved one. Ask for references and check them out too. Another thing that you’ll want to ask is what affiliations the reference has to the person or organization. If you’re considering a nursing home or in-home care organization, check into their business license. See how long they’ve been around and if there are any complaints lodged against them.
Get It Covered
Due to financial constraints, it may be tempting for you to go with a more low budget option in order to have care lined up for your loved one. Disability care could be another option when it comes to affording to go with a more high quality care group. You wouldn’t have to worry as much about your loved one receiving the care that they need in the timeframe in which they need it. This would help to alleviate some of the financial burden that comes with caring for the elderly or the disabled.
Compare Ratings and Available Info
The Nursing Home Transparency and Improvement Act allows you to do a more thorough comparison of nursing homes and in-home care agencies. Medicare’s website has information available so that you can make a more informed decision for your loved one. This will help you to feel more confident in your decision when it comes to the care of your elderly or disabled family member.
Conduct Multiple Interviews
Sit down with the nursing home or in-home care agencies that you’re considering. You want to be able to get a feel for the person or organization that will be providing the care. Ask in-depth questions about the standard of medical care that you want your loved one to receive. Everyone needs to be on the same page when it comes to the requirements of the job. Ask to speak to the people who will be providing the care. You need to be comfortable with them as well as the agency.
Sometimes the best option is outsourcing the care of your loved one. Having someone that’s trained to handle care situations as they arise will ensure that they receive quality care.
More about Rachelle Wilber
Bio: Rachelle Wilber is a freelance writer living in the San Diego, California area. She graduated from San Diego State University with her Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Media Studies. She tries to find an interest in all topics and themes, which prompts her writing. When she sin’t on her porch writing in the sun, you can find her shoppping at the beach or at the gym. Follow her on Twitter and Facebook @RachelleWilber: https://www.facebook/profile.php?id=100009221637700
*Article and photos courtesy of Rachelle Wilber
