5 things to consider when choosing a home health agency

Home health helps keep you in the place that has become such a part of you. Home health can help you stay well, or recover from illness or injury. It could simply be keeping you company, or assisting you with your daily needs of living.

Injury and serious illness can strike anyone. Your home health agency should provide for your needs, no matter what your age or circumstances. Being in tune with your unique characteristics and structuring your care program accordingly is part of what makes a quality home health team.

Your home health agency should do more than just meet your physical needs. They should also:

• listen to, respect and respond to your desires and fears;
• keep your loved ones informed and involved;
• offer you education and information to improve your quality of life;
• provide you peace of mind through access and responsiveness; and
• act with compassion, patience and kindness.

Beyond delivering the most competent and qualified care possible, your home health agency must be one you feel secure and comfortable with. The employees should be specially trained, reliable, respectful and sensitive to your situation. Your caregiver should also be bonded, insured and licensed appropriately.

You’ll find the biggest difference in home health agencies isn’t their list of services. When you find a home health agency that you feel comfortable with, you’ll see that its staff members relate to you as a person, not just as a client. You’ll find that they’re open and willing to take time to talk with you. And you’ll feel that whether the care you need is with simple duties or a daunting recovery, you will always be treated with dignity and in a way that makes you feel valued.