Your Trusted Provider of Home Health Care in Harrisburg, PA

Home Health Care in Harrisburg, PA

When given the option, most seniors prefer to stay in their homes as they grow older. The problem remains that they often have problems that keep them from being wholly safe when alone in that environment. Some with balance issues, for example, may trip and fall on a rug. Those with shaking hands may break a glass and get cut. At this point, a family is left to make hard decisions for their loved one. No matter how capable the individual is, there comes a point when they need more assistance, and sometimes family and friends simply can’t keep up with the demands on their time. The idea of nursing homes is unpleasant. They feel cold and impersonal. So you’d like to find a way of having your family member in their own house, with whatever extra care they require. That’s where home health care in Harrisburg, PA comes into play.

Opening Discussion

When you start looking for caregivers, the task seems impossible. There are a lot of options, but you can take certain steps to find a trusted provider in home health care in Harrisburg, PA. We strongly recommend beginning your journey with a family discussion. You don’t want to just surprise your loved one with a stranger entering the home! Also, you don’t want the individual to feel as if you are robbing them of their independence in any way. So, diplomacy really matters here.

Ask everyone what they envision for home care. Bring the individual’s opinions to the table and listen actively. There is sometimes resistance to an unknown person providing care. Compare that uncertainty to having dozens of unknown people in a strange environment, and you’ll likely see that wall giveaway.

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Appraise Your Needs

With that touchy situation out of the way, you can think about how much help you need. What level of assistance do you envision?

  • Help with chores?
  • Meal preparation?
  • Assisted mobility?
  • Personal care assistance?
  • Hygiene?
  • Private duty nursing?
  • Physical therapy?
  • Socialization?
  • Transportation to medical visits?

What Makes AmeriBest Home Health Care Different from Other Agencies in Harrisburg, PA?

The AmeriBest difference begins with our culture. We value excellence in our staff and show it. We know without the right people on the job, we cannot succeed in offering the best care experience. Once we’ve hired someone, we offer opportunities for ongoing professional training, so they always come to their shift prepared for a wide variety of emerging situations.

Before we hire our staff, we do background checks on each and every person. We ask about their level of experience and what they feel their role is in caregiving. We also discuss any concerns over transportation. The goal here is to give you peace of mind about the people we send to your home for ongoing care. Also, if you have any concerns about your aide, you can bring them to our attention for remediation. There is always the chance of mismatched personalities, and we know it’s vital for you to express your issues openly and honestly.

Speaking of which, AmeriBest stresses the importance of getting to know our clients. What do they enjoy doing? What are their favorite foods and TV shows? Our caregivers become a significant part of your household, and it’s important they build healthy relationships.

You probably have several questions. The learning curve about home care is pretty daunting. We’re here to help. Feel free to contact our offices any time:

Our online contact form

Phone: 717-545-2930

Email: info@ameribest.org

Our professionals stand at the ready with reliable answers.

How Popular is Home Health Care in Philadelphia, PA?

Home Health Care in Philadelphia, PA

No matter where you look, the number of advertisements has obviously grown for home health care options. The United States demographics are changing because people are living longer. That longevity does not mean, however, that they are healthier. Many have chronic conditions affecting memory, mobility, and overall daily functionality. Those limitations prove challenging for a family who wants only the best for their loved one. It’s no wonder that home health care in Philadelphia, PA (as well as throughout the nation) is currently booming. People want their loved ones to maintain dignity and safety but don’t always have the time to be present and attentive when confronted with personal responsibilities. The good news? We’re here for you, and our goal is to hire the best staff, train them, and maximize the potential services to our clients.

Delineating Home Health Care in Philadelphia, PA

Certified home health care covers a wide variety of solutions focused on the needs of an individual and their family. It can include things like:

  • Personal Care
  • Skilled Nursing
  • Physical or Occupational Therapy
  • Home-based Primary Care
  • Hospice

While it can become confusing when you’re researching your options, “home health care” generally means services covered by Medicare in full or part. The agencies that accept Medicare must be certified by the organization and accept regular inspections.

Home Health Care in Philadelphia, PA

Pennsylvania by the Numbers

As of 2017, Pennsylvania spent over $33,000 per person on community and home-based services. This is more than the national average, meaning the demand is stronger. Private pay represents 16% of the home care market, again less than the national average. By 2024, estimates say there will be an additional 70,000 customers needing home health care.

It is hard for home cares to keep up with the supply of caregivers. On average, there are 6 people seeking home aides for each aide currently working in the market. By 2024, home healthcare in Pennsylvania will need another 570,000 caregivers. As a result, we are always on the lookout for empathetic individuals with a strong work ethic to join our team.

There is a long-term care crisis facing the United States. In the past, how we care for those who cannot care for themselves has shown numerous flaws. While families, numbering over 50 million according to the AARP, struggle to manage their loved one’s daily requirements, they often lose track of their own health and well-being.  That very same struggle is a key factor in the popularity of home caregivers. Folks need guidance, support, and breaks!

AmeriBest Home Care Services

AmeriBest receives high marks as one of the top home care agencies in Philadelphia, PA. We have a home and community-based programs designed to meet the specific needs of your loved one. Our professionals pay close attention to the changes in insurance and best practices throughout the home care industry.

If you have questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to our office:

Email: info@ameribest.org
Phone: 215-925-3313
Online contact form

We look forward to providing you with superior assistance and answers.

What Home Care Assistance is Available in Harrisburg, PA?

Home care assistance Harrisburg PA

You are seeing the signs that your loved one needs help with their daily functioning. They do not want to go into a “home” or another facility because it seems so cold. The good news is that there are options that will keep them safely in their beloved house. So, what home care assistance is available in Harrisburg, PA?

In truth, what type of services you’ll receive depends heavily on the circumstances. However, home caregiving focuses on four key areas:

  • Personal Care: This covers cleaning, laundry, dishes, food preparation, hygiene, and medication monitoring, among other things.
  • Supervised Activities: It’s important to get out of the house. A trained aide can transport an individual to community activities regularly, even those with dementia or functional impairments.
  • Personalized Case Management: At AmeriBest in Harrisburg, PA, we pride ourselves on creating specialized care plans perfectly suited to your loved one’s situation.
  • Companionship: An aide becomes a lifeline for socialization. Studies show that such interaction deters depression and anxiety.

Other assists include skilled nursing, speech therapy, and physical therapy. An agency can offer you options on how to make the home space safer and easier to navigate. They can also assist with obtaining medical equipment and supplies when you’re struggling to find them.  In short, home care assistance in Harrisburg, PA, provides support to vulnerable individuals while maintaining their dignity and sense of independence.

Choosing a Home Care Agency

As you might imagine, the approach and culture of one agency can be vastly different than another. How do you choose? One of the most important things you should know is that the Department of Health in PA licenses caregiving agencies. This department oversees an agency’s standards and surveys them regularly. An agency must adhere to regulations.

When you start your search, we recommend having a list of questions ready to ask each potential agency. Start with their certification and accreditations. These aren’t an end-all and be-all, but it’s a beginning.

Move on to their hiring and training practices. The best agencies look for a specific “type” of individual as staff, one with compassion, patience,  attentiveness, and strong ethics. The agency must require background checks by PA State law. After hiring, do the aids receive more training, and if so, what type? At AmeriBest we know it’s important to keep our staff abreast of best practices as they emerge in the health care industry.

From a pragmatic point of view, what does the agency do when your aide calls off? How soon can they have a replacement available? Can the agency handle your loved one’s unique requirements, if applicable?

Last, collect references and follow up on them. You’d be surprised at how many people take a professional services company at its word. Get feedback from others and from the Better Business Bureau so you’re not caught by an unpleasant surprise.

What Can You Expect from AmeriBest Home Care Harrisburg, PA?

When our agency works with you, we pride ourselves on being knowledgeable and individualized. There are no “cookie-cutter” solutions to home care here. Your situation is different from anyone else’s in family dynamics alone.

We focus on getting to know you and your loved one, as well as getting input from their wellness team. You can contact us online, call 717-545-2920 or 1800-HOMECARE, or email info@ameribest.org with any questions or get further information.

Caregiver Guide: Private Duty Home Care in Philadelphia, PA

Private Duty Home Care in Philadelphia, PA

When a family member is chronically ill or showing signs of age-related issues, it leaves you with serious choices to make. Navigating private duty home care in Philadelphia, PA, can seem overwhelming. Nonetheless, understanding your options is vital to peace of mind.

It’s not surprising that many people prefer the comfort of their homes to facility care. It’s comfortable, familiar, and filled with memories. Private duty home care, like AmeriBest offers, allows a person the option of staying in their own house.

What, Exactly, is Private Duty Home Care?

Private duty home health agencies in Philadelphia, PA, offer services to individuals who need help with their day-to-day activities. From cooking and cleaning to personal hygiene, a trained aide comes into the home and begins filling in the gaps. The private duty aide also gives people vital companionship that combats depression.

Beyond supporting individuals, the private duty home caregiver gives families ongoing breaks to breathe and catch up with their own affairs. It is easy for people to burn out trying to juggle so many responsibilities. One of our goals at AmeriBest is to create a holistic atmosphere that considers all members of the family, including the client.

Factoid: The State of Pennsylvania requires all private duty home caregivers to undergo a criminal background check.

Benefits of Private Duty Caregiving

Medicare rarely covers private duty home care. So, this is an expense paid by the patient or their family. Yet, if you were to compare the cost of paying out of pocket for a facility, in-home assistance wins out financially.

There are other benefits of private duty home care, including:

  • Personalized care plans: If you hire your aide from an agency, the company will work with physicians and the family in designing a care plan that makes sense at the time. Needs change, and care plans change with them!
  • Medication counts and reminders: The AARP estimates that 75% of adults over the age of 50 take at least one prescription daily. Keeping track of medications can prove cumbersome, especially if a person suffers from short-term memory loss. The aide makes sure your loved ones receive their medications on time and in the correct order. They also provide an extra set of eyes for new medications, observing for potential side effects.
  • Teaching: The amount of knowledge to properly care for various conditions is not something most people have. Aides can work with you, and show you some handy tricks and instructions for caring for your loved one that save time and maintain safety.

Private Duty Home Care in Philadelphia, PA

AmeriBest’s Private Duty Home Care Philadelphia PA

When you have questions at the ready, don’t hesitate to reach out to our office. We have highly trained personnel ready to provide helpful answers about hiring an aide. Don’t worry – we don’t mind a lot of them. It means you’ve thought things through.

There are three ways to contact us:

Call: 215-925-3313,

Email: info@ameribest.org, or

Fill out our online contact form.

We look forward to providing your loved one with superior, individualized, caring services.