Four Important Things to Keep in Mind When Planning for Home Care

Visiting Angels of Gilford Specializes in Caring for Seniors in Gilford, NH, and Surrounding Areas 

You may find yourself in a situation where you or someone you love requires home care. It can be stressful when you start, as there are so many options available to you, and navigating all of these options can seem intimidating.

There are four factors that we suggest you keep in mind when seeking home care and caring for seniors. Being familiar with these factors and how they apply to your life or the life of your loved one will help you choose the best care plan for you.

1. Think about care before you need it. Planning ahead of time will help you know what to look for when the time comes to caring for seniors. A senior's needs can quickly change, so it can be very stressful if you have to start at the beginning when the situation is imminent. Keep in mind what your needs are or what your loved one's needs are. Also, keep in mind how those needs might change. Then, research the options that will best suit your needs. Make a list of the types of care you find that will benefit you, and make a list of professional caretaking agencies that can provide these services.
2. Know what your needs are or what your loved one's needs are. Take into consideration the seniors' daily routine and what services they may need to help them continue to complete their everyday tasks and activities. Please note the struggles that they face or the struggles that they may face in the future so that you can communicate these things to a care provider. Making a note will help the care provider identify your needs and develop a care plan that will benefit you the most. Try to identify the senior's living situation. Is their home clean? Are they taking care of themselves in regards to grooming and hygiene? Do they need help with prevention from falling or wandering? Knowing the answers to these questions will help when you need to convey your specific needs to a care provider. 
3. Search for reputable care agencies in your area. Visiting consumeraffairs.com may be helpful to you in finding the highest quality local businesses. Word of mouth is also essential. Take recommendations from your family and friends. Visiting Angels are one of the nation's top-rated care companies and has the highest ratings among leading senior care agencies. We encourage you to contact local agencies to learn about their services and how they can help you so that you can figure out which care provider will be the most beneficial to you when planning and caring for seniors.
4. In home care and caring for seniors can be expensive. Researching prices and insurance coverage plans may help you find the most affordable quality care available to you. At Visiting Angels, we provide a free, in-home intake consultation in which one of our intake coordinators will come to you, evaluate your needs, create a custom care plan, and discuss payment options with you. We work hard to provide care to our clients at the lowest cost possible. If you are paying out of pocket, we encourage you to look into Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance providers to help cover the cost, though those may not be able to cover the total cost. In that case, we recommend looking into long-term care insurance. You may also want to take advantage of veterans' care benefits if you served in the armed forces. We strongly encourage you to utilize all financial assistance available to you.

If you or someone you know may want to learn how Visiting Angels of Gilford is among the leading companies in caring for seniors, please give us a call at 603-366-1993.