Senior Care Registry vs. Home Care Agency: Saving Senior Care Costs
Your aging father still lives in your old family home, and he wouldn’t have it any other way. He’s okay some of the time, but you’ve noticed he gets confused and forgetful at times. It’s been happening more frequently.
The last time you were there, the house was disorderly and cluttered, and that is just not like him. You suspect that he hadn’t eaten much the last several days. He badly needed a haircut and a shave.
The weather is getting colder and you’ve been worried about him slipping on the ice and snow. Who would help him if he fell and got hurt? Or he couldn’t get up or call for help?
The whole family agrees that someone needs to care for him at least some of the time. You just don’t know how to start or where to look for a senior caregiver.
The family started brainstorming about how to find care for Dad. Perhaps one of his doctors or a friend might have a good referral. Even if you could find someone qualified, the family is concerned about the cost.
If you feel you cannot afford to work with a home care agency for seniors, or it’s just not a good fit, a senior care registry may be just what you need.
What Is the Difference Between an Agency and a Registry?
While both registries and home care agencies arrange for a caregiver to work at a client’s home, there are distinct differences that separate them. Each has a different organizational structure and cost. Moreover, the level of family involvement in home care services is also quite different.
Home Care Agencies
A home care agency hires staff who travels to clients’ homes to care for them. The fee you pay goes to the home care agency rather than directly to the caregiver. Running a home care agency requires overhead. For that reason, home care agencies are generally more costly than home care registries.
Home Care Registries
Home care registries are different in that the registry represents caregivers that have been thoroughly vetted and are highly qualified. The registry provides referrals for one or more caregivers who are available in your area and who have the necessary skills for the job. It is up to you to work with the chosen caregiver to develop a care plan, assign duties, and pay them.
Benefits of Home Care Registries
There are three benefits of using a home care registry:
- You get to choose your caregiver. With All Help Health Services, you and your loved one choose the caregiver you feel has the perfect skills and who will be the best fit. There’s no worry about someone showing up who will make your loved one feel uncomfortable or uneasy.
- Services are customized. Home care services are inherently personal. Clients and their caregivers must work together to develop a comfortable, beneficial working relationship. You decide the types of services your loved one needs and when they need them.
- A schedule that fits your loved one’s needs. While the caregiver’s duties will be outlined in writing, the care plan also allows for a degree of flexibility. We realize that everyone’s needs are unique, and the client’s needs can change from day to day.
All Help Health Services will help set up an appropriate plan to give you peace of mind no matter what services your loved one requires or how many hours they require assistance.
The Primary Advantage of Using a Senior Care Registry
The primary advantage of using a senior care registry like All Help Health Services is the cost. Because we don’t have the overhead that a home care agency has, we can pass the savings along to you.
Ultimately, your loved one’s caregiving funds will go farther and last longer when using a registry. Your loved one will be satisfied with their care and so will you. That’s a win-win for everyone.
