Top 10 Essential Questions to Ask a Social Worker About Home Healthcare

Are you facing the challenging task of making decisions for your elderly loved ones?

Choosing between home healthcare and a rehabilitation facility can be overwhelming. You love your family and want to provide them with everything they need. But which option should you choose?

A social worker can be a great source of comfort during such a time. They can provide caregiving recommendations and options for elderly care considerations. They can even help you determine whether your loved one qualifies for home care, as well as offer assistance with home caregiver selection.

But first, you need to know what role the social worker has and which questions to ask to make the best decision for your elderly loved one.

Home Care Planning Assistance: Leveraging Social Workers as Patient Advocates

The job of a social worker is to provide social services and psychological assistance to those in the community. Social workers provide a wide range of services, such as:

• Support for children and single-parent households
• Foster care arrangements
• Adoption services
• Mental health assistance
• Substance abuse counseling
• Formulating care plans to ensure the health and well-being of the elderly

When it comes to elder care, social workers can assist you by:

• Evaluating options for elderly care at home
• Finding suitable caregivers
• Providing necessary resources

Ultimately, a social worker is an advocate for their client—your loved one. To do this, they assess your loved one’s needs and address your questions and concerns.

Based on their assessment, they create a treatment plan that will empower their client to adjust to their new situation. For example, they can provide a plan and resources for someone who:

• Has been diagnosed with a chronic health condition
• Has been diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer’s
• Is being released from the hospital following an illness, injury, or surgical procedure
• Needs assistance due to advancing age/frailty

But their services don’t end with providing a treatment plan. The social worker will continue to monitor the progress of the client. If adjustments are necessary, the social worker will help implement them.

Social workers are advocates for those who aren’t always able to effectively represent themselves. They have the knowledge and resources to ensure the health and well-being of those in their care. With the help of a social worker, you can feel confident when choosing home care services.

Home Care Consultation Tips: The Top 10 Essential Questions for Social Workers

When you meet up with a social worker to discuss your loved one’s needs, you might feel overwhelmed and unsure of what to ask them. We want to help you feel confident asking questions so you can make an informed decision about the short- or long-term care of your loved one. Below are some of the most important questions you can ask a social worker about home healthcare options.

1. What Types of Home Healthcare Services Are Available?

Your loved one’s social worker will have a good idea of the type of home care options there are in your community. They’ll know whether local in-home senior care agencies offer:

• Acute memory care needs
• Short-term or long-term care options
• Post-hospital/surgery in-home care
• Traumatic brain injury care
• Stroke or heart disease care
• Companion care

2. How Do I Determine the Right Level of Care for My Loved One’s Situation?

The social worker will answer this question by first performing their assessment. They’ll evaluate your loved one to see if they:

• Prefer to be home rather than a rehab center
• Can perform daily activities (hygiene, dressing, etc.) with some or no assistance
• Can act independently if an emergency arises
• Need assistance with medications
• Require regular monitoring for complex health conditions

By assessing caregiving needs, the social worker can determine whether a client needs:

• In-home senior care
• Temporary care in a rehab facility
• Permanent care in a nursing facility

3. What Qualifications and Experience Should I Look for in Home Healthcare Providers?

To start working as a home healthcare provider, candidates don’t need previous training or certification. However, the agency they work for should have reputable credentials. They should also have a good reputation.

Ask your loved one’s social worker to provide you with the mission statement of the agency or agencies they recommend. Find out:

• How long the agency has been in business
• Whether they offer training and continuing education to their staff
• How they handle emergencies
• How they ensure continued optimal home care
• How they would evaluate your loved one’s needs

Finally, ask the social worker for home care consultation tips, like questions you should ask the home healthcare agency. Getting social worker home care advice will help you feel confident that you’re choosing the best home care services.

Do Home Healthcare Workers Receive Specialized Training?

At Homewatch CareGivers, our in-home healthcare workers receive training so they can adequately meet your loved one’s needs. In addition to this initial training, we also provide continuing education in the form of Homewatch CareGivers University. These training programs help our caregivers:

• Ensure the safety of your loved one
• Learn how to use specialized equipment
• Gain insight into special conditions like dementia, chronic illnesses, and mobility issues

How Are Home Healthcare Workers Evaluated to Ensure Optimal Care?

Homewatch CareGivers wants to make sure your loved one receives optimal care from qualified, compassionate caregivers. Therefore, we:

• Perform annual background checks on caregivers
• Provide a minimum of 12 hours of training to caregivers
• Perform in-person quality assurance checks every 90 days (at least)
• Provide satisfaction surveys to monitor the level of client care

What Is the Care Facility’s Reputation in the Community?

One of the best ways to learn about the quality of care your loved one will receive is to hear what others have to say. A social worker can tell you what type of reputation an agency has within the local community. They may also be able to provide you with reports from others they’ve worked with who have received in-home healthcare from a particular agency. Another option is to check online reviews to see what clients and their families have to say.

4. Can You Explain the Process for Creating a Customized Care Plan?

Because they assess the caregiving needs of your loved one, the social worker can create a customized care plan. They’ll make a plan based on your loved one’s:

• Quality/Quantity of sleep
• Pain level
• Medication needs
• Around-the-home assistance needs
• Ability to walk, bathe, use the restroom, etc.
• Risk for falls
• Cognitive needs

Inquire about the caregiver's plan for reassessing your loved one's needs and the frequency of these evaluations.

5. What Safety Measures Are in Place to Ensure Quality Care at Home?

One of the most important elderly care considerations is safety. If the social worker and your loved one’s medical team have determined it’s safe to stay at home, precautions need to be in place. Ask the social worker what steps should be taken to ensure safety and quality care, such as:

• Installing ramps or railings
• Removing rugs that can cause tripping
• Timely immunizations for those at risk

To ensure quality measures, ask your loved one’s social worker about the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Home Health Quality Reporting Program. The information in these assessments evaluates a patient’s progress throughout their home healthcare journey.

6. How Will Home Healthcare Services Be Coordinated with My Loved One’s Existing Medical Team?

When you seek healthcare planning assistance, you want to make sure everyone is on the same page. Ask the social worker how a home health agency or caregiver will communicate with your loved one’s medical team. Also, ask how often they’ll work with them to ensure the health and well-being of your loved one.

7. What Financial Options and Assistance Are Available for Home Healthcare?

As you consider options in home care, one of your main concerns will likely be cost. Ask the social worker what financial options are available for your loved one and if they qualify for home care. Does the agency they recommend work with auto, life, and health insurance companies or workers' compensation? Do they accept VA benefits or Medicare Advantage? Are they strictly private pay or private insurance? Are there grants or special funding options available that your loved one might qualify for?

8. What Contingency Plans Are in Place for Emergencies or Changes in Care Needs?

Your loved one has already been through enough. It’s important to make sure their time at home is safe and comfortable—and that if an emergency arises, the caregiver is prepared. Discuss contingency plans for emergencies, such as:

• A fall
• Natural or manmade disasters (fire, flood, etc.)
• Burns
• Accidental poisoning
• Medication issues or mistakes
• Medical emergency (heart attack, choking, etc.)
• Infections (respiratory, urinary tract, etc.)

9. What Do I Need to Do to Prepare for Them to Receive Care at Home?

Before your loved one returns home, ensure their safety and comfort by evaluating their home for necessary changes, such as removing rugs or securing valuables. Additionally, keep a list of medications and emergency contacts where everyone can see them (for example, on the refrigerator, by the phone).

10. Where Can I Purchase Medical Supplies/Equipment? Who Covers the Cost?

Your loved one might need certain medical supplies, such as oxygen or a chair lift. A social worker can direct you to reputable medical suppliers. They can also determine whether the cost will come out of pocket or if it’s covered by insurance or government benefits.

Assessing Caregiving Needs: How to Decide Between In-Home Senior Care and a Rehabilitation Center

If you’re still hesitant about home caregiver selection, ask your loved one’s social worker these questions:

• What are the key factors to consider when deciding between home healthcare and rehabilitation centers?
• Which option is best if my loved one needs acute memory care?
• What are the differences in socialization and community engagement?
• What is the cost of senior home care vs. a rehabilitation center?
• Is insurance, government benefits, or Medicare/Medicaid more likely to cover one option over the other?
• Which option provides the most personalized care?
• Are there specific criteria to meet to determine if my loved one is better suited for home health?
• Is it safer for my loved one to stay at home?
• Are there specialized programs or resources available for patients with specific medical conditions?

Senior Home Care vs. Rehab Centers: The Pros and Cons

When making big life decisions, it’s always best to consider the pros and cons. Let’s take a moment to look at some of the reasons why seniors and their loved ones choose in-home senior care or rehabilitation centers.

The Benefits of Home Healthcare

When considering home care options, questions are sure to arise. Here are some reasons why clients and their loved ones choose in-home senior care.

Optimized Home Caregiver Selection

At a care facility, patients are treated by the nurses or therapists on duty. When people invest in senior home care, they get one-on-one support from a caregiver. Plus, if your loved one tries one caregiver and they don’t mesh, they can request another care provider.

Faster Healing

Recently, doctors and researchers have found that patients tend to heal faster in the comfort of their own homes. Because of this, the medical community has started a program called Hospital at Home. They’ve found that home healthcare helps provide safe, efficient care for patients with chronic conditions. Thus, more doctors and hospitals plan to implement these programs.

At a recent home healthcare workshop, speakers outlined additional benefits of in-home senior care:

• Greater safety and fewer complications for frail elders
• Better control of medications and nutrition
• More intimate clinician-patient relationships
• Often, lower costs

Higher Level of Comfort

We all love being in our own homes and sleeping in our own beds. Seniors, the disabled, and the chronically ill are no different. Being at home can make living with these conditions somewhat easier. Everything is catered to their unique needs—from their bed and shower to the décor and menu.

Improved Mental and Emotional Well-Being

Being at home brings peace of mind. Nearly everyone has an emotional attachment to their home. Having to stay in a hospital or rehabilitation center can cause stress and depression in some people. Sometimes, the negative emotional impact can slow the healing process.

Plus, being at home allows them to be around their friends, family, and community. This leads to less loneliness and more happiness and contentment despite their ailments.

The Benefits of a Rehabilitation Center

After a medical event—illness, injury, or surgery—your loved one may require rehab to manage pain, restore strength, or improve mobility. Read ahead for just a few of the benefits of receiving care directly from a rehab facility.

Greater Access to Therapy

If your loved one needs rigorous physical, occupational, or speech therapy, staying in a rehab center might prove more convenient.

More Equipment Options

Rehabilitation centers have the latest doctor-recommended specialty equipment. While some smaller equipment can be transported or even left at your loved one’s home, larger therapeutic devices are kept at the rehab center. For easier access, staying in a facility short-term might be optimal.

Complications Are Easier to Treat

If your loved one is being released from the hospital or has a serious chronic health condition, consider what types of emergencies they might experience. Would they benefit from being monitored 24/7 by trained professionals to prevent or address potential complications?

Questions to Ask If You’re Considering a Rehabilitation Center

Some patients do better in nursing or rehabilitation centers. If your loved one needs the care and services of this type of facility, be sure to ask the social worker the following questions:

• Is the facility accredited by JCAHO, the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations?
• Does the facility have programs that specifically fit the needs of your loved one?
• Will your loved one see a physician regularly at the facility?
• How experienced is the medical team? What type of training and experience do they have?
• What is the ratio of caretakers to patients?
• What type of therapy will your loved one need? How often will they need it? Does this facility offer that type of therapy?
• What are the outcome statistics of this rehabilitation center?
• Are family members allowed to visit regularly? Is the facility close enough for family members to visit often?

Homewatch CareGivers: Empowering Families in the Journey Ahead

At Homewatch CareGivers, we understand how overwhelming it can be to make decisions for your aging loved one. You want to be an advocate for them, but you have so many questions. Who can you turn to for help?

We hope you’ll turn to the Homewatch CareGivers team. Our home healthcare workers are trustworthy and empathetic. They have an abundance of knowledge to help answer your questions so you can feel confident making an informed decision.

When you’re assessing your caregiving needs or have questions about home care options, please reach out to us. We’re happy to answer your questions and provide you and your loved one with the support you need.

Would you like to learn more about the services provided by Homewatch CareGivers? Check out our website for more information!