Agency of Choice essentially gives seniors the power to decide about their own care. It helps them retain their independence, ensuring they keep control and autonomy in their daily lives, something research has proven helps them maintain a sense of dignity as they age.
While having your elderly loved one maintain full control over every aspect of their well-being may initially seem concerning, agency with Choice is much more nuanced than its basic explanation. Here is how this concept plays out and why it’s so important for both seniors and their families.
The Basics of Agency with Choice
At its foundation, an agency with Choice exists to give seniors the freedom to decide on their care and services. This means that seniors have a say in things instead of having a one-size-fits-all approach determined by caregivers or agencies. This can range from who helps them with daily tasks to what kind of services they receive. An agency of choice approach respects and promotes a senior’s independence and preferences, which are essential for maintaining their dignity and satisfaction with home care.
How Can Seniors Be Empowered with Choice?
One of the most significant benefits of agency with Choice is the empowerment it can provide aged individuals. For many seniors, especially those who have lived on their own for years, having control over their care decisions can be incredibly impactful. It allows them to:
Choose their caregivers: Seniors can choose caregivers, even family members, with whom they feel most comfortable, whether based on personality, experience, or specific needs.
Tailor their services: They can personalize their care plans to fit their unique needs and preferences, from meal planning to social activities.
Keep their independence: By being actively involved in aspects of their care, seniors can continue to live as independently as possible, making decisions that suit their lifestyle.
How Can Families Benefit from Agency with Choice?
Agency with Choice isn’t just advantageous for seniors; it is also beneficial for families. It can provide:
Peace of mind: Knowing that their loved one has a say in their care choices can provide families with peace of mind and ensure that their wishes are respected while their needs are met.
Customized care: Families aren’t prohibited from working with care providers. Instead, they and their loved ones can develop customized care plans that suit their preferences and requirements, ranging from house cleaning to transportation and medication management, ensuring the best quality of care.
Better communication: Through agency with Choice, families, caregivers, and seniors are encouraged to have more frequent open conversations about care preferences and needs, which often facilitates understanding.
How AmeriBest Implements Agency with Choice
To successfully incorporate agency with Choice into our senior home care, AmeriBest Home Care provides:
Flexible caregiving options: Our range of services and caregiver options allows seniors to find what works best for them, including allowing family members to become caregivers.
Encourages involvement: We involve seniors in their care planning and decision-making process, starting with giving them the information and resources they need to make informed choices about their care.
Facilitating communication: We are big believers in maintaining open lines of communication with our seniors and their families to ensure that everyone is on the same page, satisfied, and able to voice feedback.
See How AmeriBest Empowers Seniors
Agency with Choice is a powerful concept in senior home care, rooted in the belief that seniors should be able to make decisions about their own care. By offering this independence, AmeriBest Home Care can help empower seniors, improve their quality of life, and reassure their families. Learn how you can give your elderly loved one the support they need while helping them maintain their autonomy and dignity with AmeriBest Home Care senior services in Philadelphia, PA.
We are conveniently located in Allentown, Harrisburg, and Philadelphia to assist you with your senior care needs.
Call us at 1-800-HOMECARE to learn more about how we can help.
