How To Find The Best Elder Care Services Near Me

Finding elder care services for your loved one can be daunting and challenging. You want to find a good fit if they will be assisted by them each day. There are many levels and types of care, from home caregiver support services to meal providers to assisted living facilities. 

This article will explore the different types of elder care services, where to find them, and what to look for to ensure they are high-quality.

To learn more, check if you have free access to Trualta’s learning library and community of caregivers. 

Step 1: Learn About The Types Of Elder Care Services

A good place to start when choosing elder care services is identifying: 

• How much help is needed
• The type of help your care recipient needs

Services can range from light help, like housework and meals, to total assistance where your loved one lives in a care facility and receives help with all aspects of their mobility and daily life. 

Here are various levels of care and a brief description of each: 

• In an independent living facility, also known as a retirement community, you can rent an apartment as part of a larger community. Older adults must be able to live independently and not require assistance with their daily tasks. They benefit from being in a community with others and often have the option of receiving meals in their facility.
• In an assisted living facility, residents are offered all that is provided for in an independent living facility, with additional services like help with personal care tasks, including bathing, dressing, moving around, or medication management. 
• In home care describes caregiving services that come to the care recipient’s home. A caregiver stays with the person at home, providing any help required for them to go about their day. 
• Adult day care programs are designed to provide a safe place for seniors to go during the day to participate in activities, socialize, and go on outings with other older adults.
• Activities of daily living assistance services refer to niche services that address daily tasks that your loved one won’t have to worry about completing. These include meal delivery, laundry services, transportation, and cleaning services.

Step 2: Perform Research For Services In Your Area

After determining the level of care required for your care recipient, it’s wise to research and find resources in your area. 

Some helpful places to start are: 

1. Online Databases like Eldercare Locator or Senior Services of America allow you to input your location and receive a list of local elder care organizations and agencies. Using a resource like this allows you to sift through and assess different agencies to determine which is best for your care recipient. 
2. Seek out your local Area Agency on Aging (AAA). This is an organization that focuses on creating and implementing services for older adults. Each county has an AAA. They can serve as a wealth of knowledge to connect you with services and help you make the best decision for your loved one. 
3. Referrals from health care providers. Physicians, therapists, and care managers may have experience with certain caregiving agencies and assisted living facilities because they work in the field. 
4. Word of mouth from trusted friends and family members can be another option for choosing the best elder care services. When someone you know has had a good experience, you have a better chance of having a good experience, too. 

Step 3: Properly Vet The Quality Of Services

Once you have chosen an elder care service or living facility, it’s important to investigate to ensure the quality of care meets proper standards. Below, we’ll explore important factors to remember when making your decisions. 

Accredidation

Accreditation agencies govern care providers and organizations to ensure they meet the proper standards of care. Different levels of care have different accreditation bodies. For example, home care agencies are often licensed and accredited by the Joint Commission. 

Be sure to check if the caregiving service or living facility has been accredited by its governing body. You can do this by contacting your state’s licensing agency, asking the facility directly, or using an online database to search for a list of licensed care facilities. 

Staff Training & Ratios

Ask about the training of ​​the home care workers or clinical staff at the facility before signing on with any agency or living facility. Some home care agencies require mandatory training for their staff. Additionally, in living facilities, you might ask about patient-to-staff ratios to ensure each nurse or aide has a reasonable number of people to care for. 

Safety & Cleanliness 

If you’re considering having your loved one move to a living facility, visit and take a tour. This way, you can get a first-hand experience of the overall feel of the organization, meet the staff, and assess the cleanliness of the facility. You could also ask if the facility undergoes regular inspections and request to see their latest inspection report. 

Cost

The price of care is a key factor when people make decisions about their elder care options. Understanding how you will be charged for the care and what is included is important to ensure you can afford it. Here are some tips: 

• Check if your loved one’s insurance, like Medicare or long-term care insurance, covers it. 
• Ask if a payment plan or financing options are available to make it more affordable. 
• Many home care agencies charge per hour, while assisted and independent living facilities charge monthly. 

Conclusion 

Finding elder care services begins with identifying the level of care required for your care recipient, such as in home care, assisted living, or a day program. From there, you can further assess the quality and cost of the care to ensure it meets the proper standards. By performing the proper research, you can be at peace knowing your loved one receives compassionate and high-quality care each day, allowing for a healthy aging process.

References

1. Eldercare Locator. (n.d.). Home. U.S. Administration for Community Living. 
2. Joint Commission. (n.d.). Facts about home care accreditation. 
3. National Institute on Aging. (n.d.). Respite care. 
4. National Institute on Aging. (2023, April). Worksheet: Questions to ask when hiring a care provider. 
5. Pacific Angels Home Care. (n.d.). Different types of elder care services. 
6. Senior Services of America. (n.d.). How to find home care for seniors.