A list of important questions families should ask when interviewing local senior care agencies or caregivers.
Choosing the right senior care provider in Newton is a critical decision for families. Especially since Massachusetts does not have any licensing or regulatory standards for In-Home Care. Whether you’re looking for part-time assistance, live-in care or specialized services, finding a trustworthy and compassionate caregiver is key to ensuring your loved one’s well-being. At Senior Helpers of Boston and South Shore, we believe that asking the right questions during the interview process can make all the difference. To help you get started, here are six essential questions to ask when evaluating senior care providers.
1. What Kind of Training and Certification Do Your Caregivers Have?
The experience and qualifications of a caregiver can significantly impact the quality of care your loved one receives. However, in Massachusetts, in-home care is not regulated or licensed. As such, it is essential to ask prospective senior care providers about the training their staff undergo and what relevant certifications they hold. Understanding the caregiver's qualifications helps ensure that your loved one will receive competent, compassionate care.
At Senior Helpers of Boston and South Shore, we set a higher bar for practice standards and care guidelines. Your loved one’s care plan will be personalized by our Director of Care and Client Services, who is a registered nurse. She conducts our Life Profile ™ assessments, writes care plans and oversees the assignment of caregivers.
All hands-on assistance is provided by aides who are either Certified Nursing Assistants or Home Health Aides. This is the same standard for aides in assisted living, skilled nursing facilities and hospitals. These designations are earned through a 75-hour classroom training with written and practical test, plus supervised observation period. We also verify each employee’s skills in our office during orientation and assign monthly continuing education courses to help them further their skills and awareness.
We are proud to be Age-Friendly Care at Home certified by the Community Health Accreditation Partner (CHAP). This certification showcases our commitment to providing high-quality, person-centered care that addresses seniors' unique needs – with a focus on the 4Ms: What Matters, Medication, Mentation and Mobility. We also work with Alzheimer’s and dementia specialist, Teepa Snow, OTR/L, of Positive Approach, LLC as well as experts from Parkinson’s Foundation’s Centers of Excellence network to create and implement ongoing staff training programs.
2. What form of comprehensive national background checks in addition to the Massachusetts CORI are performed? Are they updated on a regular basis?
Ensuring the safety and security of your loved one is a top priority, so it’s essential to ask about the background check process when evaluating senior care providers. Because Massachusetts CORI checks are a minimum requirement, it’s important to know whether additional screenings are conducted and how often they are updated to ensure ongoing caregiver reliability.
At Senior Helpers of Boston and South Shore, we recognize that the Massachusetts CORI is limited to incidents within the state. As added protection for you and your loved one, we perform a comprehensive national background check, which includes RMV information as well as county and state searches. We also perform monthly Office of the Inspector General (OIG) checks to ensure there is nothing of concern in a caregiver’s background between regular comprehensive screenings.
3. How Do You Create a Customized Care Plan for My Loved One?
A one-size-fits-all approach simply won’t do when it comes to services for the elderly. As such, it’s important to ask potential senior care providers in Newton how they will personalize a care plan for your loved one. Look for agencies that assess both immediate and long-term needs and can adapt as those needs evolve over time. A custom care plan should take into account the senior’s daily routines, health conditions and personal preferences.
Senior Helpers of Boston and South Shore uses a combination of the CHAPs Certification for Age Friendly Care at Home and our proprietary LiFE Profile (Lifestyle, Feasibility, Evaluation) to thoroughly assess your loved one’s wants and needs. We consider their desires and objectives, daily schedule, medical conditions and long-term goals to develop a tailored care plan with room to grow as circumstances change. We also collaborate directly with their doctors, nurses and other health care professionals. This ensures your loved one receives the exact care they need to stay safe, comfortable and independent.
4. What Services Do You Offer Beyond Basic Care?
While basic care, like help with personal hygiene and meal preparation, is important, seniors often need additional support and specialized services. Be sure to ask about the full range of services that a provider offers to meet all of your loved one’s needs.
At Senior Helpers of Boston and South Shore, we provide comprehensive traditional care services, such as nutrition, bathing, medication reminders and transportation as well as more specialized post-hospital recovery, round-the-clock live-in care, transitional assistance, Alzheimer’s and dementia care, Parkinson’s care, end of life support, and care geared towards veterans and more.
5. How Do You Ensure Continuity of Care?
Consistency in caregiving is critical for building trust and comfort, especially when seniors form close relationships with their caregivers. Ask how the agency manages caregiver transitions, ensures consistency in care and handles any sudden caregiver absences.
At Senior Helpers of Boston and South Shore, we match caregivers to families based on skills and compatibility, ensuring that your loved one receives consistent care from someone who understands their unique needs. In the event of caregiver absences, we have a seamless process in place to provide reliable backup, so your loved one never experiences a disruption in care.
6. How Do You Keep Families Informed and Involved?
Clear communication is key when it comes to senior care. You’ll want to know how frequently the caregiver or agency will provide updates on your loved one’s condition and care. Additionally, ask how the provider handles concerns or emergencies and how they keep families involved in the process.
At Senior Helpers of Boston and South Shore, we prioritize keeping families informed and engaged at every stage. With our open communication, you will remain an active participant in your loved one’s care journey. By providing you with regular updates on your loved one’s care we ensure that any questions, suggestions and concerns are addressed promptly.
The Choice is Yours
Asking these six questions will give you the insights you need to make an informed choice about senior care providers in Newton. Senior Helpers of Boston and South Shore stands at the forefront of compassionate, customized care.
Contact us today to see how we can enhance your loved one’s quality of life and offer your family the support it deserves. Call 617-500-6999 or use the form here on our website to get started.