What Home Care Assistance is Available in Harrisburg, PA?

Home care assistance Harrisburg PA

You are seeing the signs that your loved one needs help with their daily functioning. They do not want to go into a “home” or another facility because it seems so cold. The good news is that there are options that will keep them safely in their beloved house. So, what home care assistance is available in Harrisburg, PA?

In truth, what type of services you’ll receive depends heavily on the circumstances. However, home caregiving focuses on four key areas:

  • Personal Care: This covers cleaning, laundry, dishes, food preparation, hygiene, and medication monitoring, among other things.
  • Supervised Activities: It’s important to get out of the house. A trained aide can transport an individual to community activities regularly, even those with dementia or functional impairments.
  • Personalized Case Management: At AmeriBest in Harrisburg, PA, we pride ourselves on creating specialized care plans perfectly suited to your loved one’s situation.
  • Companionship: An aide becomes a lifeline for socialization. Studies show that such interaction deters depression and anxiety.

Other assists include skilled nursing, speech therapy, and physical therapy. An agency can offer you options on how to make the home space safer and easier to navigate. They can also assist with obtaining medical equipment and supplies when you’re struggling to find them.  In short, home care assistance in Harrisburg, PA, provides support to vulnerable individuals while maintaining their dignity and sense of independence.

Choosing a Home Care Agency

As you might imagine, the approach and culture of one agency can be vastly different than another. How do you choose? One of the most important things you should know is that the Department of Health in PA licenses caregiving agencies. This department oversees an agency’s standards and surveys them regularly. An agency must adhere to regulations.

When you start your search, we recommend having a list of questions ready to ask each potential agency. Start with their certification and accreditations. These aren’t an end-all and be-all, but it’s a beginning.

Move on to their hiring and training practices. The best agencies look for a specific “type” of individual as staff, one with compassion, patience,  attentiveness, and strong ethics. The agency must require background checks by PA State law. After hiring, do the aids receive more training, and if so, what type? At AmeriBest we know it’s important to keep our staff abreast of best practices as they emerge in the health care industry.

From a pragmatic point of view, what does the agency do when your aide calls off? How soon can they have a replacement available? Can the agency handle your loved one’s unique requirements, if applicable?

Last, collect references and follow up on them. You’d be surprised at how many people take a professional services company at its word. Get feedback from others and from the Better Business Bureau so you’re not caught by an unpleasant surprise.

What Can You Expect from AmeriBest Home Care Harrisburg, PA?

When our agency works with you, we pride ourselves on being knowledgeable and individualized. There are no “cookie-cutter” solutions to home care here. Your situation is different from anyone else’s in family dynamics alone.

We focus on getting to know you and your loved one, as well as getting input from their wellness team. You can contact us online, call 717-545-2920 or 1800-HOMECARE, or email info@ameribest.org with any questions or get further information.

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.