A Quick Guide to Finding Home Health Care

                    
Sometimes surgeries or other injuries require you to have a little extra help at home. Other times, a family member who is aging in place needs help with everyday chores. Regardless of why you need home health care Bethesda Maryland, finding the right provider is essential. This guide will help you determine how to best find a health care worker to meet your needs. 

Choosing the Type of Home Care Worker
First, decide which type of home care worker will meet your needs. If you or someone you know is simply aging in place, you probably don't need a licensed medical professional, which means a personal care aide will suffice. PCAs help with housekeeping, meals, transportation, and bathing and dressing, but do not provide medical help. Home health aides are one step higher since they can monitor vitals and assist with medication. If the patient needs nursing help, you'll need to hire a licensed practical nurse or registered nurse. They can provide direct care and administer shots as well as provide other medical care.
Searching for Candidates
Next, decide how you want to search for the right candidate. Some people use an agency, which pre-screens its workers and provides backups when a caregiver can't make a shift. They often provide liability protection as well. However, agencies can be expensive, you don't get as much hands-on choice in who works for you, and you often can't hire someone on a part-time basis. In these cases, a registry is another option. Registries allow you to hire on a more flexible schedule and adhere to your own rules, but there is no emergency coverage and you will be responsible for verifying applicants yourself. If you can, try to hire a caregiver based on personal referrals from family members or friends to ease some of the stress.
Finding the Right Provider
Naturally, verifying credentials, education, and references is the first step to ensuring you hire the right provider. However, personality is important as well. Consider how the employee will mesh with the patient. If the person who needs a health care provider is more of a loner, a provider who keeps to himself outside of the outlined tasks is best. However, if the patient likes to have conversations, play cards, and otherwise be social, a more social provider is necessary as well. Conduct several interviews with several different applicants before deciding which one best fits your family's needs. If at all possible, find a health care provider long before you actually need one to ensure you aren't choosing someone based on urgency. If you know a parent needs extra help or recognize that you'll be having major surgery soon, the best time to begin your search is now.