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Choose The Right Private Home Care in Edmonton

How to Choose The Right Private Home Care in Edmonton

Many families in Edmonton would agree on one thing that nothing beats the comfort of home, especially when it involves a loved one’s care. The demand for private home care services throughout the city of Edmonton has increased dramatically over the past few years. 

As Edmonton’s population ages and more seniors opt to remain in their own homes, families are looking for ways to make sure their loved ones are receiving compassionate and professional help. This is where private home health care is a solution! 

Just like a traditional institution, private in-home care maintains the senior’s routines, while providing the necessary individualized support, daily living, medication management, and companionship.

What is Private Home Care?

Private home care is a personalized caregiving solution focused on providing professional care at a person’s home. Private care may offer flexibility, customization, and consistency, enabling families to develop a care plan that reflects their specific needs and schedules.

Alberta’s public health care can provide care options, but often with limitations or follow-up visits, or leads to months-long waiting lists. Private home care agencies offer immediate access to trained professionals and customized care for seniors and people with disabilities.

Families in Alberta look for a Client Directed Home Care Invoicing (CDHCI) program. It allows clients to select approved private home care providers while the total amount is billed to Alberta Health Services (AHS) by Alberta Blue Cross. This program incorporates the flexibility of private care with some of the funding from the public funds and can be helpful, if they qualify.

Types of Services Provided

Private home care in Edmonton offers services based on the needs of the client and family. The most common services include:

  • Personal Care (Bathing, Dressing, Grooming): Support with daily living activities that assist seniors in maintaining confidence and feel comfortable within the home.
  • Companion Care and Emotional Support: Companionship can often be the least recognized yet most valuable part of providing quality home care for seniors. A friendly caregiver will offer stimulating conversations, encouragement and a sense of belonging thereby minimizing loneliness and isolation.
  • Meal Preparation and Light Housekeeping: Healthy meals and a clean living space are vital to maintaining physical well-being as well as mental peace.
  • Respite Care for Family Caregivers: Private home care with respite services can also be provided to relieve a family member who may need a break. It maintains quality support during this time ensuring that the client’s needs are being met.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Private Home Care

Finding the right provider for private home care in Edmonton is more than just hiring someone to help provide care. Additionally, it is also about finding someone you can trust to take care of your family member.

Private home caregivers can assist elderly parents or while providing specialized private home health care service to family members with medical conditions. There are several important things to consider before choosing a private home care provider to care for your loved ones!

1. Accreditation and Licensing

Before bringing anyone into your home, it is important to verify that the private home care agency is fully licensed by Alberta’s Health and Safety Regulations. Agency licensing demonstrates that the provider adheres to the provincial standards for quality of care, privacy, and safety. 

Ask whether the agency’s caregivers are certified and they are compliant with local healthcare standards like CDHCI. Reputable home care agencies will be able to provide proof and licensing. 

2. Staff Qualifications and Training

You want to ensure that your loved one is cared for by competent, compassionate staff. Verify that the agency employs trained Certified like Health Care Aides (HCA), or other professional staff based on your requirements.

Continuous education is essential. The premier private home care companies prioritize ongoing education. Basically, it includes training in first aid, dementia care, senior safety, and emotional support to allow caregivers to stay updated with best practices in private in-home care. 

3. Services Provided

Not all private home care agencies offer equal support, as some will offer companionship and personal care while others have higher level medical or private respite care services. 

Make sure that both medical and non-medical care services are available. It includes everything from meal preparation and housekeeping, to wound care and mobility assistance with medication management. Flexibility is essential so that the agency can modify the level of care of your loved one’s needs. 

4. Customized Care Plan 

Every senior is unique, so shouldn’t their care be too? Make sure to look for private home care providers that will provide an assessment of customized care plans for your loved one. 

Whether you need private care for elderly at home for a few hours a day or all day care. The agency you choose should be able to tailor the services based on schedule, preferences, and health needs. Customization provides more flexibility and ensures that your loved one is receiving care to fit their lifestyle.

5. Reputation and Reviews

Before choosing an agency, take some time to dive into testimonials, Google reviews, and Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings. These accounts showcase real client experiences and they can set the tone for professionalism, reliability, and compassion.

Do not hesitate to ask for references of current or past clients. A reputable private home care provider will definitely share some success stories and would love to provide you with testimonials that speak to their commitment to high-quality services. 

6. Costs and Payment Options

Cost is a valid consideration when looking at private home health care. Ask each provider about their pricing models. Do they charge by the hour, have a flat fee, or have discounted packages for long-term or 24-hour care?

It is also important to see if they are open to accepting insurance coverage, government strategies, or veteran’s benefits. When providers have pricing options that work to the family’s advantage, it provides budget-friendly options without having any hidden surprises later.

You may also want to confirm whether the provider files for insurance, has government assistance programs, or receives funding through Alberta’s CDHCI model. It allows families to choose a private home care agency of their choice, and time approved by AHS will be invoiced directly to them, thus minimizing costs.

7. Communication and Transparency

Open communication creates trust between families, caregivers, and the agencies. Make sure the provider you choose continues to communicate with you about progress updates.

You can ask them about normal daily communication. Do they have a care coordinator and ways to communicate with them? Are they available 24/7?

Clear and effective communication keeps everyone involved moving in the same direction, and assures that your loved one is getting the best possible home care.

8. Emergency Support and Backup Care

Life is often unpredictable, and in turn, your care can be as well. A dependable, home care service will provide an on-call system of support, with reliable caregivers available in the event your usual caregiver is unavailable.

This guarantees a level of assistance that can be relied upon. It provides families peace of mind that help is always available, needs can be satisfied in emergencies, or if schedules need to change at the last minute.

9. Compatibility and Compassion  

There are many skills needed for private care for the elderly. The best private caregivers for elderly are not merely qualified but are compassionate, patient, and kind.

Find a home care service that will not only provide a qualified caregiver but knows the personality, communication, language, and cultural association that will match for your elderly loved one.

A caregiver who ends up connecting with your loved one brings the superior caring experience.

Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Home Care Provider

Before selecting a private home care provider in Edmonton, ask some questions to ensure your loved one is receiving safe, professional, and compassionate care. Let’s check them in detail!

How do you screen and train your caregivers?

Be sure to ask about background checks, certifications, and ongoing training. Reputable private home care agencies will take the time to ensure that each caregiver is properly vetted and trained to provide safe and compassionate elder care.

What happens if my regular caregiver is not available?

You can confirm with a potential agency that they have backup caregivers or on-call support to provide continued and consistent private home care service.

What is your response for an emergency health situation?

It is extremely important to understand the organization’s response for an urgent health situation. A quality company will have predetermined protocols that are coordinated with health professionals to ensure safety of the senior and provide a timely response for all health emergencies.

Do you accept Alberta Health or private health coverage for your services?

Some private home health care services may qualify for partial funding. A good question may be does the agency accept insurance, government assistance, or other funding for services.

If needed, can I change or cancel the plan easily?

A characteristic of home care is flexibility. You should have the opportunity to adjust your plan, increase or decrease hours, or cease care altogether if needed. The best home care agencies do not have confusing and painful policies in making changes to services.

To Wrap Up

Finding the ideal private home care for seniors in Edmonton is definitely a very important decision that you will make for a loved one. By considering the right questions and looking at factors like training, flexibility and compassion you will be able to find a right home care partner. 

Whether you are finding short term private respite care, or longer term private care for elderly at home, the aim is simple. Provide comfort, security and respect, right where the loved one belongs.

Each office is independently owned and operated and is an equal opportunity employer.

ComForCare strives to provide services accessible to everyone, please contact your local office for documents and details related to accessible Customer Service.

ComForCare Home Care Edmonton, AB
Operated By: 
Mehul Bhatt
Office Phone:  
(780) 733-4495
2951 Ellwood Drive SW, Unit 106
Edmonton, AB T6X 0B1

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