Top 3 Tips for Finding the Right Senior Care Provider

When you need care for an aging loved one, it can be difficult to find the right provider. If your loved one needs 24-hour care, there are many factors to consider. For example, does your loved one require physical assistance? Does your loved one suffer from dementia? Does your loved one need nursing care? When considering senior care providers, it’s important to find someone who is experienced with seniors and can meet all of your family’s needs. Here, Eli Mirlis, CEO at RegalCare, offers some great tips for finding the right caregiver for you and your loved one.

Consider Your Needs

First, think about what your loved one's needs are. Do they need 24-hour care? Do they need physical assistance? Do they suffer from dementia? Does your loved one require nursing care?

Next, consider the experience of the caregivers you're considering. This includes how long they've been in the profession. It also includes types of care that are necessary for your loved one. For example, would your loved one need help with activities of daily living (ADLs)? Would they require skilled nursing care or hospitalization?

Third, consider how much time and energy you can devote to caring for your loved one's needs and how often you'll be able to see them. If you're considering a live-in caregiver, ask questions about their schedule and availability before finalizing your decision.

Check Qualifications

When you're looking for senior care, it's important to begin by checking qualifications.

For example, if your loved one needs nursing care, make sure the provider is licensed with the state you’re living in. To ensure that you find a qualified caregiver, do some research and speak with other seniors in your life to find out what they like best about their caregivers.

Additionally, ask your loved one what they think about their caregiver. This will help you get an inside perspective on how they feel about their current provider.

Understand the Caregiver’s Background

When you're looking for a caregiver, it's important to make sure they have the right credentials.

You can ask about their training and qualifications, such as how many years of experience they've had in the sector. It's also important to find out the type of care that your loved one needs and what their special needs are.

If you want to find a provider with specific certifications like:

-Certified Nurse Aide (CNA)

-Home Health Aide (HHA)

-Gerontologist

-Advanced Care Givers

You should be able to ask questions about their certification. For example, Eli Mirlis adds, you might ask if they have any certifications in dementia or Alzheimer's disease care or if they have any other certifications related to seniors.

Ask for References

It’s important to ask for references before making an appointment. A good caregiver will provide you with more than just their name and contact information. They should have letters of reference from past clients.

These letters will tell you about the care provider’s experience, their qualifications, and what they are like as a person. They can also give you an idea of their personality and how your loved one will be treated by them.

You might even want to ask for recommendations from people who know the caregiver personally or have used them before. People who are close to the caregiver may know what they are like as a person better than someone who is not familiar with them.

Check References for Accuracy

The first step is to contact the provider's references. It's always a good idea to check out a caregiver's references before you hire them. This will give you a better idea of what kind of care your loved one will be receiving from this caregiver.

When you call a reference, it's important to ask specific questions. These questions should revolve around the quality of care your loved one received from this caregiver and whether they have been reliable in the past. For example, if someone was going through chemo during their time as a caregiver, that may not be something you'd want to know about when considering hiring them for long-term assistance.

Do an Interview with the Provider

One of the best ways to find an experienced provider for your loved one is by doing an interview. You can ask questions about what they expect to do, how long they've been in the industry, and their qualifications. When considering senior care providers, it’s essential to find someone who has experience caring for seniors. One way to determine this is to ask questions throughout the interview process, advises Licensed Nursing Home Administrator Eli Mirlis.

Hire the Right Provider

First, you need to find out what type of caregiver your loved one needs. Some common types are:

* A skilled nursing care provider, who is able to provide ongoing care for your loved one while they recover from an illness or surgery

* A home health aide, who will help with daily activities like bathing and cooking

* An in-home caregiver, who will provide ongoing care for your loved one at home

Next, it’s important to consider the age of your loved one. To meet the needs of a younger adult, you'll need a caregiver that's not too experienced. However, if your loved one is aging and requires more hands-on attention, you'll want a caregiver with a lot of experience.

You should also consider personality factors when looking for a caregiver. For example, do they have any training or certifications? Are they patient? Are they agreeable? Are they punctual? Find someone with qualities that align with those your loved one needs.