With a range of service offerings developed with senior needs in mind, FirstLight strives to be a top choice for senior care. Before you make the decision of what type of elderly home care you\u2019d like to utilize, there are a few important questions you\u2019ll want to ask. These include asking what specific services are offered, what values the agency holds, and how the agency supports its in-home caregivers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Determine the Needs of Your Loved Ones<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Once you\u2019ve identified the signs that it might be time to hire an in-home caregiver<\/strong><\/a> for senior care services, it\u2019s important to understand what type of services you\u2019re looking for. Home care agencies can provide a variety of services ranging from personal care to dementia care to specialty care such as disability or hospice care. The type of care you select will also depend on whether your loved one needs full-time live-in care for help with all of their activities of daily living<\/a> <\/strong>tasks or companion care, which is focused more on conversation and company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019ve never utilized or even considered senior care services<\/strong><\/a> before, it\u2019s hard to know what type of agency will be the best fit. First interactions can tell you a lot about an agency. If they\u2019re hard to get a hold of, it may make you question how difficult it will be to maintain communication once your loved one starts receiving care. Don\u2019t assume what type of care will be provided. Be prepared with questions and encourage your loved one to ask questions as well. Good agencies will be open and transparent in their answers, even if the questions are challenging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition to learning about the type of services an agency offers, we recommend asking about the company culture and support provided for caregivers. The more agencies invest in their staff, the more their staff is able to grow both professionally and personally. Doing research into caregivers will also provide you with peace of mind. You will feel at ease knowing your loved one\u2019s best interests and well-being are made a priority by their caregiver. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Respecting and valuing caregivers should be a non-negotiable at the agency you choose. Ensuring that the agency you choose adheres to New York State Labor Laws<\/strong><\/a> is important to make sure that it is compliant in what caregivers are paid and the time that they have off. At FirstLight, our caregivers are always paid amongst the highest in the county and receive holiday pay, sick time, and overtime pay when earned. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Once in the field, it\u2019s important for caregivers to receive additional training and ongoing education to help them provide the best care possible. At FirstLight Home Care, we pay staff for training and provide opportunities for continued education that allow our team to grow both personally and professionally. <\/p>\n\n\n\n At FirstLight Home Care, half of our staff has a tenure of 3 years or longer and 20% of our field staff has been with the agency for at least 7 years. Choosing an agency that values its staff can help ensure that your loved one can build a trusting relationship with their in-home caregivers. We recommend asking about the size of the agency and how many caregivers are employed, what the staff-to-client ratio is, how replacement caregivers are assigned if your regular caregiver is unavailable, and how to contact the agency after hours. <\/p>\n\n\n\n FirstLight Home Care prides itself on creating a Culture of Care<\/strong><\/a> philosophy that guides us every day as we serve and care for others. Our core values<\/strong><\/a> focus on helping people to have their best day, every day, whatever that means for them. If your loved one isn\u2019t in urgent need of senior care services, take your time when researching home care options<\/strong><\/a> to make sure you find the very best fit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n FirstLight provides transparency, follow-up, and attention to our client’s needs. We offer in-person complimentary consultations for potential clients as well as ongoing client visits and support calls to ensure your loved ones’ needs are being met. We will even visit you on your Birthday! You can trust that you and your loved ones will receive all necessary information upfront so you won\u2019t experience hidden surprises or false promises down the road. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n A FirstLight Home Care Caregiver with our Client Mrs. C.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Our values are in action every step of the way at FirstLight starting with our clear, honest, and transparent intake process. Our clients and their families can rest assured knowing they\u2019ll receive all of the necessary information upfront. This provides a comprehensive understanding of services, costs, and care they\u2019ll receive from the very start. We take pride in our clear communication to families and their loved ones as well as to our caregivers. <\/p>\n\n\nCompile a List of Agencies and Meet With Each to Find the Best Fit<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Important Questions You Need to Ask About Home Care Caregivers When Selecting an Agency<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How Are Caregivers Treated at the Agency?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Do Caregivers Receive Opportunities for Additional Training?<\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
What is the Average Longevity of Caregivers?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Focus on Finding a Home Care Agency That Aligns With Your Beliefs and Values<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>We Provide a Straightforward Intake Process With Clear and Concise Communication <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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