When it comes time to seek out professional care providers for yourself or a loved one, it’s a pivotal decision. Do you opt for at-home personal care or traditional group facilities? Fortunately, you’re not navigating this journey alone. If you’re exploring the plethora of Arizona home healthcare services available, it’s essential to consider various factors to ensure you make the most suitable choice.
We’ve compiled a detailed step-by-step guide to address your most common questions. This guide includes information on the benefits of home healthcare, essential questions to ask potential agencies, and reasons why Brightwood Health is a distinguished choice in the field.
Home Health Services vs. Traditional Group Facilities
The two most common options for individuals needing daily care in Arizona are at-home care and group facilities. Choosing which of the two is best for you or your loved one requires a thorough understanding of what each option provides so you can know which will meet your needs.
Home Health Services
Home health services refer to personalized, one-on-one care that is delivered in the client’s home. You or your loved one receives high-quality care in a familiar environment tailored to your schedule and needs.
One of the chief benefits of in-home care is the comfort that comes from staying at home. With less stress and hassle, you or your loved one can rest easy, ensuring you maintain your independence. Moreover, the best care agencies offer flexible scheduling. You can choose a personalized care plan or schedule visits around everyone’s timetable – it makes it easier for family members to be involved in day-to-day care. That has the added benefit of lowering the overall cost.
Traditional Group Facilities
Traditional group facilities, such as assisted living or nursing homes, provide a more structured environment and 24-hour care and supervision that’s not possible at home. The big benefit here is social interaction. Living alongside peers, you can chat, play games, or enjoy a friendly home environment. If you choose home healthcare over a traditional group facility, look for a company that puts the social aspect of care as a focus in their treatment plans.
One downside of a traditional group facility is that it provides much less freedom. Though meals, housekeeping, and medical oversight are often included, residents must adhere to the facility’s schedule. There’s also less room for family members to be involved in daily care – something many families don’t want to lose.
Step-by-Step Guide to Selecting Arizona Home Healthcare Services
There are many providers of Arizona home healthcare services from which to choose. Evaluating these agencies and independent care professionals is vital to ensuring your family members receive the best quality care possible.
Understand Your Care Needs and Preferences
When making the decision for what type of care to choose, it’s vital to take a needs-based approach. Not every person needs the same care. Some people may be able to make themselves food, dress in the morning, and walk to the local park. However, they need additional support with washing or managing a health condition. Others require more substantial care.
Moreover, people with chronic conditions, cancer, or other health problems will have very specific requirements depending on the nature and severity of their condition.
Outlining a clear idea of you or your family member’s needs and preferences allows you to tailor the level of care needed with minimal disruption to their daily life.
Researching Arizona Home Healthcare Services
Not sure what to look for? When researching different home healthcare providers, always look at the service area they cover. Some agencies are restricted to a single city, while others cater to the whole state.
Brightwood Health, for example, covers a large region, including Apache Junction, Chandler, Glendale, Paradise Valley, Phoenix, Sun City, Youngtown, and much more. We provide in-home care throughout the region, personalized to an individual’s needs.
In addition to location, cost is another essential factor. It’s sensible to speak to multiple agencies to get a sense of the average cost. But don’t let that be the only factor. You should also consider the services provided. Using your outline of needs and preferences, you can assess which service provider has the right care package for you or your loved one. Here at Brightwood Health, our services include personal care, 24/7 care, companionship, errands and shopping, meal preparation, and more.
Factors to Consider
As you go through the different service providers, there are three essential considerations:
- Independent vs. Agency Care Professional. Independent caregivers can deliver an extremely high-quality service. However, hiring independent professionals carries significant risks. Agencies, for example, handle background checks, training, and provide replacements if your regular care professional is unavailable. With an independent caregiver, that’s simply not an option.
- Hourly Rate. We all wish money were no object. However, long-term care can be expensive. Always ask for the hourly rate and compare between agencies. You should balance affordability with the types of services and care level provided.
- Insurance Coverage. Confirm what aspects of home healthcare are covered by insurance. Some services may be fully or partially covered, which can allow you to save money or spend more, achieving an even higher quality of care.
Key Questions to Ask
So, you’ve narrowed down your search for an Arizona home healthcare service. It’s time to learn more about their services, team members, and experience. You want to know they’re a passionate agency with a commitment to their client’s happiness, independence, and quality of life.
Some key questions to ask include:
- How do you decide on the right level of care for an individual?
- What level of training and certification do your care professionals possess?
- What do your services involve?
- How do you handle changes in a client’s condition or care needs?
- What is your policy on care professional substitution or replacement?
- How do you ensure privacy and confidentiality in care?
Verifying Provider Credentials
The Arizona Department of Health Services regulates all Arizona home healthcare service providers. When evaluating a particular agency, always check that they’re insured and licensed correctly. Agencies must adhere closely to the relevant regulatory requirements.
There’s also the matter of a caregiver’s credentials. All of our care professionals undergo a thorough evaluation and background check. Every professional we hire is bonded and insured to protect your family and us. You can be reassured that our team possesses the professional competence and ethical standards to look after you or your family member.
Request References
Always request references. You should receive at least three different testimonials describing the quality of care and what to expect. Such ‘social proof’ helps build trust in an agency, proving there is a track record of excellence.
Other forms of social proof include social media, reviews, and word-of-mouth. The more information you have on an agency, the more you can trust their abilities.
Trust Brightwood Health for Your Home Healthcare Needs
Brightwood Health is a committed Arizona home healthcare service provider. With a dedication to outstanding care, our care professionals can handle everything from post-hospitalization care to long-term in-home assistance.
Available throughout Arizona, our empathetic, experienced, and exceptional team is ready to look after your loved one(s). Contact us today or give us a call at (480)-718-7180 to learn what we can do for yourself or your family member.