You can find home care through friends and relatives, family service agencies, AAAs, hospital personnel, physicians, nursing registries and medical organizations, especially if the need is a result of illness or disability. See Selected Community Resources in this Guide . An elder's ability to remain independent may depend on services that seem simple, but are critical. The least intrusive are volunteer services in which people make weekly visits, for example, or daily telephone calls. Home health agencies Home care is also provided by private home health agencies, through physician referrals by way of the hospital discharge planner, and through public health departments.
Workers can be registered nurses, therapists or home health aides.
Homemakers and chore workers may provide services that preserve the dignity and confidence of your elder, preventing a slide into depression that can precipitate a decline and subsequent need for a nursing home. Ask how the agency screens employees and monitors workers, and if there are substitutes when needed. Ask about the qualifications and training of workers, and whether the agency insures against misconduct. Find out exactly how much you will be charged and how much the worker is paid. Insist on references and check them carefully.