5 THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING A HOME CARE AGENCY IN GHANA

At some point in time there may be the need to employ the services of professionals to assist in taking care of a loved one at home. When you get to this bridge and you are on the market for nursing homes who provide home care and nursing services, you may feel confused and apprehensive about the entire process.

Allowing a complete stranger or strangers into your home can be worrisome but when you know what to look out for in your search, it can be a pretty easy process.

Below are some factors you can consider in choosing a home care service provider so you can make the right choice for your specific needs.

Certification:

One very important thing to look out for when seeking for a home care service provider is the legitimacy. Investigating their legitimacy will require that you check the certification of the firm.
There are different organizations that can certify a home care service organization. One such organization is the Nursing and Midwifery Council (N&MC). Another agency that can provide certification is the Health Facility Regulatory Agency (HEFRA)
Both organizations have strict certification criteria based on the professionalism of staff and quality of care provided. Checking the different awards and certifications given to the service provider can help you determine if the agency will be a suitable service provider.

Reviews:

Maybe after the certification, you are still hesitant to go down this route. If that is the case, why not do a little more research and find out what others have to say about the agencies you’re considering. You can request for client references directly from the agency and read online reviews which will give you a quick peep behind the curtain, the positive comments will give you confidence in the agency. Whiles reading the comments ask yourself a few of the questions below:

• Do the clients seem satisfied with the service that they received?
• Did they hire the home care agency for themselves or a loved one?
• Do the clients believe the price to be fair and worthwhile?
• Do they give any specific examples of how the agency went above and beyond for them?

Good and friendly communication skills:

The way an agency communicates with you at the entry stage will continue once you hire them. Be sure to get in touch with them on phone and pay particular attention to how your call is received, ask them questions and again pay attention to how your questions are answered. Do they beat around the bush or try to rush through their explanation? You need someone that takes their time to answer your questions. You need an agency that can get your family to relax and feel less anxious in times like these so their communication should be strong and friendly.

Organization:

Another thing to consider is how organized the agency is. What systems have they put in place to ensure excellent care delivery. Examples of systems are the criteria and processes that goes into selecting their caregivers, the packages they have they put together for you to choose from and check if any of them cover your needs?

Cost-Effectiveness:

Be sure to think of the return on investment when you think of home care fees. You shouldn’t have to spend a fortune on home care so make sure their packages, personnel and services are worth their fees. Be warned not to base your choice solely on prices, sometimes you get what you pay for and you may be putting yourself or loved one in the hands of inexperienced, unlicensed and uncertified care providers. Make sure your budget is justified by the service.

There you have it, now that you have seen several factors to consider while you search for nursing agencies that provide home care and nursing services, be sure to use this information to your advantage.