It can be a stressful process, searching for an in-home care provider in Upland.  You want to find the best possible care for you or your loved one, but you also need to find the most affordable prices.  Conversely, affordable doesn’t always make for top-quality service, and in the world of in-home care, there is nothing more important than quality.  That’s why Home Care by Benchmark is providing this list of 7 questions to ask any in-home care provider that you are considering using.  The way a company answers these questions can help you determine if they are trustworthy and provide top-quality care.  We know this, because we are the leading in-home care provider in Upland, California.  So, without further ado, let’s get started!  

1. How long have you been in business?

Although this shouldn’t be a “make or break” kind of question, it should still play a role in determining the quality, trustworthiness, and reputation of any in-home care provider.  Ideally, companies that don’t provide good in-home care services shouldn’t last for long.  Therefore, one that has been around for a number of years has a better chance of being a quality, trusted care provider.  However, as we all know, this is not an entirely ideal world.  Don’t trust a company just because  they boast that they’ve been around for 20 years.  It’s quite possible that they’ve somehow managed to provide subpar services for the past two decades.  

2. Do you have any professional references?

This is the next step in determining any company’s reputation.  Of course, you can always look around online to see what previous and current clients have to say about their services.  However, you can also ask if they have any references from hospitals, doctors, or other caregiving professionals.  These references will give you a better idea of the company’s professional reputation in the field of in-home care.  If they don’t have any references from other professionals in their field, be wary of proceeding with them.  Any established business should be able to provide you with at least a couple of references.     

3. Do you conduct an initial visit before starting the service?

At Home Care by Benchmark, we make sure to provide a free in-home assessment before proceeding with any business.  You can schedule yours on our website here.  This is a great way to gauge what kind of service a company provides.  If they don’t conduct an initial visit, then how will they know exactly what type of service is required?  Usually this means that they’ll just provide some sort of general service which it turn, might result in you or your loved one receiving the full care that they need and deserve!  Even if it’s not advertised, ask if the in-home care provider that you are considering will conduct an initial visit.  

4. What qualifications do you require of your workers?

Unfortunately, there are many nurses and assistants that are hired by in-home care providers, but who are not necessarily qualified to provide the highest standard of in-home care. That’s why it’s extremely important to ask this question.  Find out if the company looks into the history and qualifications of the nurses that they hire.  They should be required to go through a testing and screening process before they are able to work in the homes of their clients.  If it doesn’t seem like any kind of background check is performed, then we advise that you do not proceed to conduct any sort of business with that company.  You need to be able to trust your in-home care provider.

5. Are your caregivers insured?

If your caregiver gets injured in your home, whether from tripping on something, a cooking accident, or any other kind of unexpected hazard, you as the homeowner, do not want to be held responsible for that.  Always ask about your personal liability, especially if the workers are contracted employees.  For the sake of your own protection and financial stability, it is vital to make sure that the caregivers in your home are insured.  If they are not, you will be put at risk.

6. How do you supervise your workers?

In today’s world, unfortunately, many caregivers have been exposed as either abusive or negligent.  In fact, that’s why nursing homes seem to have acquired such a negative reputation.  However, it’s safe to assume that those workers are more closely supervised than in-home caregivers.  Therefore, it’s imperative that you make sure that the company you choose takes the right steps to properly supervising their workers.  A top-quality in-home care provider should make a point of making quality assurance calls and even visits.  Make sure that all caregivers are closely supervised by a company representative.  

7. Will I consistently have the same caregiver?

This is one of the most important questions you can ask when you are choosing an in-home care provider.  You want to make sure that you will consistently have the same caregiver coming to your home.  This can help you develop a personal relationship with them and can even help them learn more about your needs and preferences.  If a different person is showing up every month or even every week, it will become increasingly difficult for you to receive the high quality of care that you need and deserve.  At Home Care by Benchmark, we ensure that you consistently have the same caregiver.  

Home Care by Benchmark is the top in-home care provider in Upland, California.  We pride ourselves on the quality of our services.  All of our caregivers are certified, qualified, and do their best to provide the best in-home care they possibly can.  Visit our website, homecarebybenchmark.com to see how we can help you today!