The Perfect Match: Finding a Home Health Nurse for Your Elderly Parents

Figuring out what to do when your parents get older and start to lose some of their independence is a major challenge. Most people want to stay in their own homes as long as possible, for many different reasons. In-home care can help improve the overall quality of life for the elderly and help them manage chronic health conditions.

While it sometimes works to have a family member provide care for aging parents, this is rarely an ideal solution. Not only does it limit that person’s ability to live their own life normally, but the care that’s needed is often more medically complex or physically difficult for the average person to provide. Medical care, even in a home setting, must be administered by a qualified professional.

Hiring a home health nurse is really the best of both worlds. It allows aging parents to maintain some independence and avoid moving to an assisted living or similar facility. It also provides peace of mind for their children, knowing that they are getting the care they need, without having to rearrange their lives.

So, how do you find the right home health nurse for your elderly parents? Here are some things to keep in mind while looking for a perfect match.

Understanding the Role of a Home Health Nurse

A home health nurse is someone who is trained in basic medical care tasks. These might include monitoring a patient’s health conditions, administering medications and at-home treatments, and providing wound care. Home health nurses are sometimes needed on a short-term basis for people who are recovering from a medical event, or on a long-term basis for people with chronic health conditions.

Home health nurses can also help with personal care tasks, such as dressing, bathing, and using the bathroom, however, their focus is medical care. Generally, there are certain tasks defined for a home health nurse at the beginning of their employment, and any necessary changes will need to be discussed, typically with a change in hours or compensation.

In order to provide medical care, a home health nurse typically needs to be a licensed registered nurse (RN). They should also have a Basic Life Support (BLS) certification, in case of an emergency. Some home health nurses also continue to gain additional certifications and training, such as in hospice care.

Practicing for the CNA test is a crucial step towards becoming a Nursing Assistant or Nurse Aide, as the examination evaluates the competencies required for the role. Regular and dedicated practice helps to strengthen your grasp of nursing basics, such as recording patient information, daily care techniques, emergency procedures and legal aspects of patient care.

Assessing the Needs of Your Elderly Parents

The first step in finding the right home health nurse is to assess your parents’ current health and fully understand their needs. This type of comprehensive assessment might involve a discussion with your parents’ healthcare providers, including any doctors or nurse practitioners they see for routine exams.

Once this is done, make a list of their specific needs. What medical tasks do they need help with? Are there any non-medical needs to consider? How often will a nurse need to provide care within the home?

Defining these needs will be critical when looking into various options. Any home health agencies you interview will use this information to assign your family one or more caregivers. You can also hire an independent home health nurse if that seems like a better fit. Either way, you will want to be prepared for when you start interviewing candidates.

If a different living option is recommended, such as an assisted living facility or skilled nursing home, you will want to ask your loved one’s doctor for recommendations. If you live in Michigan, for example, you can find great living options in Three Rivers, or other local areas by doing a quick Google search for ratings and reviews. Also, be sure to check the government's Medicare ratings to find out what other families have experienced in your area.

Researching Home Health Care Agencies & Independent Home Health Nurses

Finding the right home health care agency or independent home health nurse can be a little overwhelming. It’s important to find someone trustworthy, who won’t cut corners, put your parents in danger, or compromise their comfort.

The most important consideration should be the agency or individual’s reputation and credibility. First, make sure they have the proper licensing and accreditation. From there, take a look at reviews before you contact them. Be picky!

Once you do make contact, you’ll want to ask lots of questions, to make sure it’s a good fit. Some essentials include: 

• How they hire and screen caregivers
• The amount of experience and training their nurses have
• What kind of training they provide
• How much customization is available
• How they handle scheduling, and how flexible they are
• Their communication protocols
• What types of care they specialize in, if any
• The cost of different services and payment options

If you are satisfied after interviewing an agency or individual, it’s best to ask for some references. Speaking with past patients is a great way to get a first-hand account of what it’s like to work with them. If possible, having your parents meet any prospective caregivers before making a decision is an excellent way to ensure a good match.

Ongoing Monitoring to Ensure Quality Care

After hiring a home health nurse, you will still have the responsibility of ensuring that your parents are being well cared for. Even when you do your due diligence, it is possible that the quality of care might not match up with expectations, or it might slide over time. Stay on top of what’s going on and be sure to discuss any concerns you have with your parents and the nurse and/or agency so changes can be made. If you’re not satisfied with the care and your concerns are not being addressed, then it might be time to look for another option.

Home health care involves a lot of trust. Be selective when it comes to hiring a nurse to ensure that your elderly parents are getting the best possible care. They deserve to live out their golden years in comfort!