Starting home care often comes at a challenging time, such as a recent illness, hospital stay, or surgery. It can be overwhelming to navigate care options during these moments, especially while juggling recovery and planning logistics. While publicly funded care may be available through referral or self-referral, wait times and limitations often leave families seeking alternatives, such as private PSW or nursing care. The good news is private care is typically easy to access without a referral. Here’s an overview of what you can expect when starting private home care:

1. Researching Care Options

The search for home care often begins during a time of need – sometimes while still in the hospital or feeling unwell. Family members or loved ones often step in to help during this stage. Resources such as word-of-mouth recommendations, healthcare directories, and online searches are commonly used to find providers. 

2. Reaching Out

Most private care agencies are easy to contact directly, whether by phone or through websites. When reaching out, you can verify staff availability and ensure the agency offers the specific skills you or your loved one require. It’s a good idea to contact more than one provider to compare services and find the right fit. Stay tuned for our upcoming blog post on essential questions to ask when choosing a home care agency!

3. Booking Services

Once you’ve decided on an agency, the next step is scheduling care. This typically involves discussing when you need services to begin and setting up a care schedule. Scheduling is often handled over the phone, though some agencies may also offer online forms as part of the process.

4. The Admission Visit

The first visit from a nurse or PSW is an important step in personalizing your care. During this visit, the care provider will confirm your individualized care plan based on prior discussions. If any forms weren’t completed electronically, they may be signed during this visit. This is also a great time to address any questions or concerns about ongoing care.

5. Receiving Ongoing Care

Your care plan is designed to adapt to your needs. Over time, the level of care may increase or decrease depending on your health, recovery progress, and goals of care. Regular communication with your care team ensures your plan remains aligned with your evolving needs.

6. Discharge: When Care Is No Longer Needed

Home care concludes when the goals of care have been achieved, and ongoing care is no longer required. At this point, scheduled visits or shifts are discontinued, but the transition can be coordinated to ensure a smooth transition.