In-Home Care Services Available in Harrisburg, PA

In-Home Care Services Available in Harrisburg, PA

There is no way to avoid the impact of time on our bodies but to live a healthy lifestyle. Even then, people develop chronic illnesses or debilitating injuries that leave them hospital bound for extended periods of time. No one likes being at a hospital. But there is an alternative. You can hire a professional caregiver to provide in-home care services in Harrisburg, PA by contacting AmeriBest Home Care.

What Are In-Home Care Services?

Home sweet home. There is comfort derived from being in familiar surroundings. In-home care services allow an individual to stay in their home while receiving ongoing care for their condition.

Home Health Care comprises care that takes place in a patient’s home. The exact services differ based on individual needs and situations. Trained aides come and meet with the individual and their family to assess a “best practice” approach in creating a plan of care.

Benefits of Hiring an In-Home Caregiver

There are many benefits to in-home care services in Harrisburg, PA. For some, their insurance or Medicare does not completely cover the cost of specialized facilities. Overall, services delivered to your home cost less than what accrues in a hospital. But the benefits of an aide service go beyond money.

In this setting, the entire family is encouraged to take part in their loved one’s care. They remain active participants, but have the opportunity for regular “time out,” away from the difficulties of caregiving. It’s easy to burn out otherwise.

Home Health Care services include things like

  • RN and therapist visits
  • Personal care (dressing, bathing, etc.)
  • Light housework, like laundry and sweeping
  • Yard work
  • Cooking
  • Socialization and companionship
  • Respite
  • Transportation
  • Medication management, and more.

In other words, the goal is to provide a safe, comfortable environment that offers continuity, familiarity, and an extra set of eyes and hands at the ready. Over time, an aide develops a connection with the client, building trust, and supporting their wellness goals.

What is the Difference Between Home Health Care and Home Care?

There are a variety of in-home services you can get in the comfort of your own house. Sometimes “home care” and “home health care” get confused. Home health has a medical focus. Services come from licensed professionals helping people with things like dementia, physical therapy, and psychiatric care.

By comparison, home care doesn’t require licensed personnel. Rather, staff members receive basic training before they go into the field. There are even situations in which you can hire a family member or friend to take care of you. These people can have their training and timekeeping managed by an agency like AmeriBest.

Looking for an In-Home Caregiver in Harrisburg, PA?

When you’re ready to interview caregivers in your area, don’t hesitate to give AmeriBest a call. Our professionals are ready to answer all your questions and guide you through the paperwork required. We take pride in having highly trained staff who are compassionate and dependable. Our goal is to deliver superior service every day.

You can use our online contact form, call 717-545-2920 or 1800-HOMECARE, or email info@ameribesthomecare.com

How to Get an In-Home Caregiver in Harrisburg, PA

How to Get an In-Home Caregiver in Harrisburg, PA

Your loved one has been struggling, and you’ve been struggling to give them support and care. Then one day comes and you just can’t continue. You’re tired, frustrated, and burning the candle at both ends. It’s time to start considering getting an in-home caregiver in Harrisburg, PA. So, where do you begin?

First, make a detailed list of what you perceive as the household’s needs. Does your loved one need help with chores, for example? Do they have trouble keeping track of their medication? When you’re talking to top health service providers, these are the kinds of things they’ll need to know to assess your situation.

This conversation acts as an opportunity to see how the agency answers your inquiries, too. As pointed questions like:

  1. How long have you been in business?
  2. How quickly can you fill a no-call; no-show?
  3. How do you screen your employees?
  4. Has your company won any awards or received other types of recognition?
  5. What type of training do you offer your caregivers?
  6. Are you licensed, accredited, and insured?
  7. Can you request a different aide if one doesn’t work out?
  8. Does a registered nurse come out to meet the family and develop a personalized plan of care?

Beyond these questions, do your due diligence by checking the Better Business Bureau for complaints. Additionally, look for any online reviews you can find.

How to Hire an In-Home Caregiver in Harrisburg, PA?

Working with a professional caregiving agency has a lot of benefits. They include:

  • Prescreened staff, including background checks.
  • Directed placement. An agency can select staff based on their experience with your loved one’s condition. Should the individual’s situation change, staff can likewise be adjusted.
  • Agencies have many staff members, any one of whom can become a stand-in for a day when your normal caregiver cannot make it.
  • Liability protection. The agency carries liability insurance in case a worker is injured on the job.
  • Untying red tape. “Paperwork, paperwork, paperwork” seems to be the mantra for obtaining home health caregivers on your own. An agency manages your paperwork by working with doctors and the family.
  • You are not the employer. With an agency, you never have to worry about paying your aide or handling their taxes.

Agencies in Pennsylvania must be licensed by the department of health and meet established regulations. Those regulations are enforced by unannounced reviews. These agencies can obtain certification for Medicare-paid services through the Federal Health and Human Services’ Center for Medicare and Medicaid. This is particularly important since Medicare can pay some, if not all, of the bill for said services if you meet financial guidelines.

There is another quality control safeguard, too. Medicate-certified agencies must conduct regular patient assessments that are electronically submitted for review.

How to Get an In-Home Caregiver in Harrisburg, PA

Hire Family & Friends as Caregivers

The option to hire a family member or friend (not a spouse) exists. Some agencies work in tandem with federal in-home care to “hire” this person and manage their payroll. The beauty of this is that you have choices, and your caregiver is known to your loved one.

If you’re considering this option, know the person must be over the age of 18, and you may need to get a doctor’s approval. You will have to fill out an interview form and whether or not you want a background check. Then, the person hired gets some training on best practices for their job and has a physical before beginning.

Should the caregiver find they love the work, they may consider becoming an aide at a later date. However, if something goes wrong, you can opt out of the private hire and go back to having the agency manage your staff placement.

Why AmeriBest Home Care Harrisburg?

At AmeriBest Home Care, your loved one isn’t simply a number on our docket. We believe in doing things the right way, with compassion and professionalism. Improving a person’s quality of life is among our top goals along with safety and contentment. We are happy to field your questions. You can fill in our online form, call our Harrisburg office at 717-545-2920, or email info@ameribest.org.