From cooking meals to monitoring health conditions, home health aides can provide the comfortable and convenient personal care that your loved one needs as he or she ages in place. But since hiring a home care  specialist can be a big decision, it’s important to make sure you take time to research your options. Providing comprehensive family health care services in Onamia, MN, Mille Lacs Health System  highlights some of the most important qualities to look for when hiring a home health aide.

What to Look for in a Senior Home Care Specialist

Credentials & References

For the greatest peace of mind, consider only those elderly care providers that work for licensed and insured agencies or hospitals. Your home health aide should also be certified to assist seniors in a safe and medically sound fashion. If your loved one has a chronic health condition—such as diabetes or high blood pressure—it’s important to make sure that any in-home caregiver has received specialized training to properly manage those conditions.

If you’re hiring an independent caregiver, be sure to conduct a thorough background check and ask for reliable references. Most agencies or hospitals will perform background and reference checks on their employees upon hiring to save you time.

Compassionate Personality

Although a home health aide should be able to tend to medical and personal needs, it’s also essential for these professionals to have the right personality for the job. Not only should you consider candidates who can be trusted in your loved one’s home, but you should also look for those that demonstrate patience and compassion.  

Reliable Service

Whether you’re looking for 24/7 assistance or someone that can provide on-call support, make sure to address scheduling requirements when interviewing candidates. Home health aides should always arrive at the scheduled time to ensure that your loved one is not left without their daily needs. If you’re hiring independently, this is something you’ll want to ask references about. If you’re recruiting through an agency or hospital, find out if they can provide backup assistance in the event an assigned caregiver is made unavailable.

If you’re looking for in-home elderly care in Onamia, Mille Lacs Health System can connect you with their specialists who provide the friendly and reliable support your loved one needs. If their Medicare Certified Home Care services aren’t right for your situation, this hospital provides many other resources for seniors, including rehabilitation, mental health, assisted living, and hospice programs. You can find more details about this provider’s comprehensive health services online, or call (320) 532-2800 to speak with the Home Care Department directly.