3 Things to Know When Hiring a Home Healthcare Service

Making the decision to hire an in-home healthcare service can be complicated. Many times there is an immediate need that you need to fill, yet you don’t want to rush to make a decision because you only want what’s best for your loved ones. We understand that the decision to hire an in-home caregiver is an important one that you will not want to take lightly.

Here are three tips to help you make the best decision when hiring an in-home nurse or companion service.

1. Know Your Budget

First and foremost, you should be able to forecast your needs long term to make sure you’re ready for what lies ahead. Look for an agency that quotes you a rate up front and ask them if the rate is subject to change. Beware of agencies that quote a rate over the phone and then change the rate later. You can request a written explanation of fees and will want to also ask how billing will be handled.

For example, at 24/7 Nursing, we will send someone to your home to conduct an interview and a home assessment. After we have had a chance to meet with you and better understand your needs, we will provide a quote for our services.

2. Ask About Licensing and Background Screenings

How do you know if the person or company you are hiring for your in-home healthcare service is adeptly qualified? For starters, make sure the caregiver you choose is at minimum a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) or a Home Health Aide that has all current credentials. If the caregiver has a medical license, you can do a healthcare license verification search here to ensure that the license is both valid and active.

The second item you should verify is their background screening level. You’ll want to make sure that the caregiver has undergone a recent level 2 background screening. Why? A level 2 background screening requires fingerprinting for statewide criminal history checks. In addition, it requires a national criminal history check through the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

3. Decide if You Need a Caregiver or Licensed Nurse

A caregiver such as a CNA or Home Health Aide can offer sufficient help with activities like dressing, bathing, eating, bathroom use, transfers from bed to wheel chair or other places and exercise. However, if the patient needs specific skilled nursing services such as the administration of medication, then you should request a Licensed Practical Nursing Care (LPN) or Registered Nurse (RN).

If you’re thinking of hiring an in-home healthcare service in Miami, contact our team at 24/7 Nursing Care. Our team will be glad to answer any questions you might have so that you can make the decision that’s best for you and your family.