Home Care Services Near Harrisburg PA

Home Care Services Near Harrisburg PA

Because people are living longer lives, the need for home care services near Harrisburg PA is growing rapidly. In Pennsylvania, there are special programs for assisting people over 60 who want to stay at home rather than move into a cold, unfamiliar facility. To be eligible, one must live in Pennsylvania, be a legal US citizen, and have unmet needs that impact the quality of life.

At AmeriBest Home Care, we stand at the ready to help seniors in the Harrisburg area create a safe and healthy environment within their households. Whether you need assistance with daily living, or supervised care for aging adults facing dementia and related disorders, our in-home caregiving service is professional and personalized.

Benefits of Having an In-Home Caregiver

One of the reasons that Aide assistance has become popular is that it saves money. In fact, Medicare may pay for most (sometimes all) of the services. It’s just a matter of putting in the paperwork.

Beyond the financial element, the greatest gift from companion care comes in the form of peace of mind. Most people are not equipped to handle all the responsibilities of caring for a loved one at home. When they combine this with their daily routine, many burn out. Having a trained individual dedicated to the task of being your extra eyes and ears relieves a lot of stress.

AmeriBest focuses on a holistic approach to home and community-based services. That means you are always informed, and always involved in decision-making.

Home Care Services Near Harrisburg PA

What Do Home Health Aides Do?

If you’re just starting to consider extra assistance for your loved one, you may well wonder about the scope of services a Home Health Aide (HHA) offers you and your family.  The most important thing is that your loved one retains their dignity while also receiving trained assistance. From medication monitoring to help with daily chores, the HHA is there when you cannot be present.

As an overview, a Home Health Aide:

  • Monitors a person’s condition, both physical and mental, watching for any changes that could indicate problems. Journals about their observations.
  • Provides personal care including bathing and dressing.
  • Advises the family on nutrition and safety matters.
  • Protects family privacy and follows home care policies dictated by federal, state, and local statutes.

Qualifications for Being a Home Health Aide Providing Home Care Services Near Harrisburg PA

The ideal home health aides are excellent communicators. They are dependable and responsible, and willing to work as a team. Think “people-first” in attitude. A client is not a number.

An HHA should be minimally 21 years old and have a high school diploma and any mandated certifications. Many companies assist with obtaining these. Some places require 1 or more years of experience in supporting people with various limiting conditions. Additionally, an HHA will be required to show a valid driver’s license and current automobile insurance.

Taking the Next Steps

When you feel you are ready to discuss your options for home care assistance in Harrisburg, PA, give AmeriBest Home Care a call at 717-545-2920. Alternatively, you can email info@ameribest.org, or use our online contact form. Have a list of questions and concerns so we can respond directly to your situation.

Home Health Care Agencies in Philadelphia PA

Home Health Care Agencies in Philadelphia PA

There are a number of reasons why you might consider home health care for a loved one. Perhaps they’re dealing with chronic pain and illness. Or, perhaps the problems that come with aging have become too much for an individual to remain safe and healthy. No matter the reason, you’ll want to educate yourself on your options of home health care agencies in Philadelphia PA.

What is Home Health Care?

In defining home health care, bear in mind that some services extend into the community as well. The idea behind home health care is comfort and affordability. An individual receives highly personalized assistance in their own home instead of the hospital or a skilled nursing facility. In brief, having an in-home caregiver or private duty aide supports:

  • Recovery or stability
  • Independence and self-sufficiency
  • Proper med administration
  • Monitoring and watching for warning signs
  • Upkeep with the household chores
  • Personal care, completing errands

Many insurance companies have coverage for an aide service, as does Medicare. A health care provider (or even a home care agency like AmeriBest) can help you navigate the necessary paperwork.

Home Health Care Agencies in Philadelphia PA

How to Pick Among the Best Home Health Care Agencies in Philadelphia, PA

You want only the best care for your loved ones, and that means doing a little bit of leg work. Finding the right fit means having peace of mind. So how do you choose?

  1. Create a realistic list of your needs. Do you just need a few hours a week for small tasks or more intensive care? Make a list of everything you feel you might need an aide to do for your loved one. You can use this list as the beginning of discussion topics when you’re calling around.
  2. Ask people you know about their experiences. If you know someone who has used a service in the past (or is currently using one), ask for their insight. Word of mouth is often your best guide through this process.
  3. Go to consumer-oriented websites and check any reviews you find for health care agencies near you. Make a list of your top picks.
  4. From your top picks, check out their websites. What services do they offer? Do they assess individuals and make personalized plans of care? Can you receive both non-professional care as well as skilled nursing care?
  5. Call and ask how the company qualifies staff for hire. Are there background checks, for example? What kinds of consequences are when complaints arise?
  6. Availability is a big issue. You want to know you can depend on care when you expect it.
  7. Do they have any satisfaction guarantees?

Why AmeriBest Home Care?

At AmeriBest Home Care, we’ve received consistently excellent approval ratings. Our qualified, compassionate team is multi-cultural and focuses on high-quality care so your loved one maintains their dignity and safety at the same time. AmeriBest’s call-off and no-show percentages are incredibly low, while our ongoing training for staff remains a high priority.

If you’d like to learn more about our services, there are several ways you can contact us. Call our Philadelphia, PA office at 215-925-3313. Email us: info@ameribest.or, or use our online contact form. We are happy to field your questions and concerns, anytime.

Caregiver Guide to Home Healthcare Philadelphia, PA

Caregiver Guide to Home Healthcare Philadelphia, PA

Life sometimes goes sideways. At any moment a person can become injured, ill, or begin suffering from the natural issues aging brings. At first, you think you can “do it all” in helping your loved one… that is until you find you can’t. Caregiving is very taxing. It adds numerous tasks, heaping them onto your already very-full platter. That is where home caregiving comes into play. To help you navigate these waters, we created this caregiver guide to home healthcare in Philadelphia, PA.

What Does a Home Caregiving Service Do?

The idea behind having a home caregiver (or home care aide) is to enjoy a support service. An agency like AmeriBest Home Care of Philadelphia works directly with you and your loved one to come up with a safe, supportive plan for ongoing assistance. Companionship, assistance with daily living needs, med minders, and so much more go into each, personalized program. Each situation is unique, the needs vary, and a professional agency helps you navigate the waters of putting something in place you can trust.

Benefits of Having In-Home Aide Services

When you find the right home healthcare provider, there are many benefits for both you and your loved one. Overall, you know the individual will be safe and monitored; they’ll have socialization and personal assistance as needed. They can remain involved in their own wellness, improving their sense of independence.

It is very easy to burn out as a caregiver, which is where professionals step into the fray. They give you some personal time (hey, take that nap you’ve been craving!). You can walk away for several hours and shop, clean the house, grab a coffee-whatever. You need these breaks to maintain your own self-care regimen, otherwise, you’ll end up sick, frustrated, and stressed out.

Caregiver Guide to Home Healthcare Philadelphia, PA

Regulations Regarding Home Health Agencies

All agencies in Pennsylvania are required to be properly licensed by the Department of Health. The Department has specific standards, rules, and regulations and enforces them with unannounced surveys. Additionally, if an agency accepts Medicare, it must have certification from the Federal Health and Human Services Center. The FHHSC also conducts regular surveys for compliance.

Who Qualifies for Home Healthcare?

Nearly anyone can qualify for home healthcare. How much it costs depends on your insurance company and income. Alternatively, Medicaid has both home and community-based service waivers. If you are receiving SSID, you will likely qualify for an aide service. You do have to enroll, something with which your medical provider can assist.

And now some good news: it’s not that hard, and we are here to help!

Home Healthcare Philadelphia, PA

Most people when asked, say they would far prefer to stay at their own home vs. a hospital or assisted living center. Being able to remain in their house provides familiarity. It’s local; they know the faces walking daily by the window. At AmeriBest Home Care, we understand your home is not only your castle but your comfort zone.

As a highly-rated local agency, our professionals provide you with compassion and support. We know you may have a lot of questions about having an in-home aide, and our team is happy to help in any way we can. Call us at 215-925-3313. Email info@ameribest.org, or use our online contact form for more information.

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.