BlogHer - Not all homecare is the same for your seniors, find out what to ask before you buy! - Comments

Don't let it keep you up..

comfortkeeper — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 15:36:54 -0500

Hi Mik,

Don't let the fear of being able to afford it keep you up at night. The whole industry is already changing to accomodate the folks who are aging in and cannot afford it now. Many of what I call the stand alone assisted living facilities which means that is the only level of care they have are competing with brand new facilities that can offer every level of care at much lower rates and are charging monthly fees ( like apts) and are only asking for one month's rent as an initial deposit. The catch is they are dropping the monthly prices in half but are charging you for every little tiny thing you need that used to be included. So for half the price now you get the room. If you want to go to the store, you may have to pay for the bus to take you which used to be included. The whole industry is going to continue to change as more and more people age in and cannot afford it. I truly believe that we are going to see alot more of the Golden Girl type situations where seniors are going to choose to share homes with each other and other types of personal care home situations that will be funded by the government. As all those Ted Kennedy types age in, they are going to put more money into senior care. Not because they can't afford it but rather because it will be an issue that the folks who have been voting them in for 100 years are screaming about. So rest easy, it will be forced to change on its own. Melody

The Midlife Crisis of Caregiving

midlifemuse — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 15:01:10 -0500

Mik--

I'm not defending how A Place for Mom does business as much as I'm saying that how they do business helped us find a place for my mom where she's doing well. We worked with Area Agency on Aging and visited other facilities that just didn't offer what we wanted. Bottom line is there's personal choice involved here that families should approach in an informed fashion. We agree on that.

For those of us in midlife, though, caregiving is a national crisis. There's already a shortage of paid caregivers and it'll only get worse as our generation ages. As elders, many of us won't be able to afford the assisted living communities that A Place for Mom and other agencies connect you with.

That's what keeps me up at night.

A Place For Mom

mik55119 — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 11:19:35 -0500

A Place for Mom is on commission. If you move a loved one into a community they recommend, that community has to pay 1/2 of the first month's rent. Some communities can't afford this...thus are not signed up with them and are not listed to the consumer.

Mik

What You Don't Know Until You Know

midlifemuse — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 10:42:41 -0500

We were lucky in that we worked with a wonderful care advisor who was very detailed in the information and assistance she gave us. With that said, this was our second care manager. The first wasn't on commission but also didn't have good follow-through -- which is why I called A Place for Mom.

But you make such a good point that it's all about being as educated as possible about the process. I admit there were times when I felt like we were flying by the seat of our pants! When you're in the middle of creating a good transition for a senior family member, you really don't know what you don't know until someone cues you in. In a lot of situations that's the problem -- and also the opportunity to get the info you need to best the best decisions possible.

Homecare, assisted living

mik55119 — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 09:10:45 -0500

I, too, caution people when using sites like A Place For Mom. Not all senior living is listed on these sites. Only the ones who give them a commission once the senior has moved into the place. For a true list of what senior services are in an area, go to the Area Agency on Aging site for your state. They list everyone. That is true choice. No one is paying anyone.

Mik

A place for mom

comfortkeeper — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 06:59:52 -0500

Yes a place for mom is very useful tool to find help. I'm glad you had a good experience with the person you worked with. Senior care today is a booming business and everyone and their grandmother (no pun intended) is starting business or making their current business attractive to the baby boomer generation. I strongly encourage everyone to educate him or herself. Many folks in this industry are salaried plus commision or just commission so they might try to steer you into something that is more than you need or are ready for because the commission is greater depending on the level of care you choose to live in. I am in the senior care industry and I do not work for commission only salary I refuse to have that incentive sorta speak affecting the way I do business. I have the luxury to choose the option of salary only most employees do not, they are hired on salary with commission. thanks for your comment.

Another Resource

midlifemuse — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 22:46:28 -0500

My sister and I just worked with A Place for Mom.com to find a dementia group care home for my mother. They also help with in-homecare. Might be another helpful resource.

Karen

BlogHer Contributing Editor

Visit me at Midlife's A Trip.

Not all homecare is the same for your seniors, find out what to ask before you buy!

comfortkeeper — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 07:21:32 -0500

Questions to Ask
When choosing a home care company, it is important to know what questions to ask before making any decision. Conducting a brief interview allows you or a family member to evaluate the best service for your situation.

· How long has the company been in business and do they operate as a business? Does the company have a business structure that provides appropriate staff, professional training, supervision, and checks and balances to ensure clients are getting the best care?

· Is the agency licensed by the state? Twenty three states require agencies to be licensed and surveyed on a regular basis.

· Are the caregivers employees and are they bonded, insured and covered by Workers’ Compensation and unemployment insurance? Reputable agencies will answer “yes” to all of these questions, thus protecting and providing peace-of-mind for their clients and families.

· Is there a written plan that explains the services that will be provided? Before any in-home care begins, you should receive a written plan of care that explains both the services and the financial arrangements so there is no misunderstanding about the services to be provided and their cost.

· Are there contingencies if the caregiver is unavailable? There are times when a caregiver may be unable to come to work. Does the company have a large enough staff of caregivers to cover an absence? Will you be able to review this new caregiver’s information prior to their coming to the home?

When considering whether to employ a non-agency independent caregiver, ask the same questions.

It is easy to be overwhelmed when making a decision about home care for a loved one. Instead of focusing on the per hour cost, concentrate on the quality of care your loved one will receive. The long-term consequences of hiring an independent and/or agency-referred caregiver may not be worth the risk. By understanding the options available for in-home care, you can feel satisfied and safe about your choice. For more on this topic, go to www.comfortkeepers.com