How Do You Go About Starting to Find an Area Aging Agency in Pennsylvania?

December 27 2018

Write It Down

Start by making a list of what services you know your elderly loved one is in need of. Don’t be afraid to make it specific. Writing down as much as possible now will help you sort through your options later.

Needs change over time so also write down what you believe your loved one may need in the form of care in the future. This will help you choose an agency that can meet any future needs your elderly loved one might need, reducing the need to switch agencies later.

Note that every senior will have different needs. If your loved one is mostly self-sufficient, they might just need companionship and help with meal prep. If your loved one has a serious medical condition, you will need to look into services that over health care. Also make note if your loved one will need specialized care for a condition such as dementia.

Get Recommendations

Finding quality and consistent care for your loved one is probably one of the heaviest issues that weighs on your mind. If you have never searched for and hired an aging agency, it can be confusing to know what to look for. But one of the best things you can do is to get recommendations from trusted sources, such as your loved one’s doctor. If you have friends or family who have been dealt with aging agencies, ask for their opinions as well. You can also call your local hospitals social work department for recommendations. Some other sources can include your loved one’s financial advisor, attorney or other medial providers.

Contact Your Local Area Agency on Aging

The Area Agency on Aging (AAA) is a national network of over 600 organizations that serve the elderly populations in their local areas. Your local AAA is an amazing resource for education on what services are available in your area as well as helping you to sift through the multitude of options of elder care agencies in your area. They can also make recommendations. To get started, you can find your local Area Agency on Aging by county, online on the Pennsylvania Department of Aging website.

Narrow Down Your Options

Once you have gathered up all your notes about your loved one’s need, the recommendations you have received and information you’ve received from your local AAA, it is time to narrow down your options. Use all that research to help you make an informed choice on which agencies to add to your shortlist.

To help you narrow down your choices, you can also look at the provider or agency’s history in the community and elder care industry. A company that has history in a community can translate to a commitment to stability. Look to see if the agency works with other organizations, such as the Alzheimer’s Association. Also look at the agency’s licensing and certifications. Those that have received licensing and certifications are more likely to provide quality care as they have met or exceeded the standard of care.

Interview Your Potentials

Once you have narrowed down to your shortlist, it is time to start the interviewing process. Asking questions of each agency will help give you more intimate knowledge of how that agency operates and how it interacts with its employees and the patient and their family. Some ideas for questions include:

• Will you and your loved one be allowed to interview potential caregivers?
• How do they handle replacing a caregiver that is not a good fit?
• How does the agency monitor quality of care? How does the staff communicate with each other about your loved one’s care?
• How does the agency supervise, train and support their staff?
• What steps do they take to ensure accountability?
• Do they strive for consistency or will your loved one have different staff at each visit?
• How do they handle coverage if your regular caretaker is unable to make a shift?
• Are you able to speak to the caregiver or supervisor at any time? Do the caregivers consult with the patient’s family and physicians?
• Do you involve the family in the developing of a care plan? How detailed is the course of treatment?
• Ask for literature about the agency’s services, eligibility requirements, fees and funding sources. Also ask for a “Patient Bill of Rights.” Also ask about your liability and what the agency’s policy is if something were to happen.
• Also ask questions that pertain to specific care needs your loved one may require, such as specialized care for a medical condition such as dementia.

Make a Choice

Once you have as much information as you possibly can about each potential aging agency, you will be able to confidently make a choice about your elderly loved one’s care. Keep in mind that there is always a period of adjustment when starting with an aging agency. It might take some time to get used to new personalities and new routines.

If you find that after this warming-up period is over that the assigned caretaker’s personality does not mesh well with your loved one, it is okay to call the agency and request a different caretaker.

If you find that your problem is with the agency itself, it is okay to switch agencies. Know that you might not get it correct on the first try and that is okay. We are all human. Take those experiences and learn from them, using that knowledge to make a better choice the second time around. If you need to switch agencies, you will want to ensure a smooth transition of care for your loved one.

While this process may seem overwhelming, breaking it down into these steps should help alleviate any feelings of anxiety you might have. By working with trusted sources and your local Area Agency on Aging, you will have peace of mind knowing that your loved one is receiving the best care possible from a compassionate and attentive caregiver.