Home care agencies provide an invaluable service and peace of mind to those needing additional support for health care needs such as medication management, blood pressure or blood sugar testing and monitoring. They can even assist with basic companion tasks like transportation to medical appointments or social events, assisting with running errands, accomplishing light housework tasks and cooking nutritious meals. But how do you know if a particular agency is right for you or your loved one?
Kristin James, owner of BrightStar Care, suggested interviewing agencies when the need for home care arises to ensure the partnership will be a good fit for all involved – whether it be for a short time period after a hospital stay, long-term requirement or hospice care.
“Usually, people come to us in a time of crisis,” said James. “Some precipitating event, like a surgery or major fall, will highlight the fact that outside help is needed beyond what family members can provide. That’s where BrightStar really shines. We offer care plans on a trial basis, meaning we don’t have formal contracts or require expensive deposits. Our goal is to remain fluid in the name of doing what is best for the patient.”
BrightStar Care has no minimum requirement for hours served and offers service agreements that can be canceled with just 24-hour’s notice to the company.
Beyond pricing structures, James also suggested finding a company that has qualified medical professionals evaluating each case and providing personalized care to each patient.
“We are the only local home care company that is Joint Commission accredited and credentialed,” James said. “That’s a major source of pride for us. We also offer free initial consultations with our director of nursing, who oversees every case. She is a very experienced RN who personally develops patient care plans and adjusts them as needed.”
Additionally, James explained, patients can expect 24/7 access to their care team and can call and speak to a staff member – not a call center – on nights, weekends and holidays if they have a concern about their care.
For more information on BrightStar Care, visit www.brightstarcare.com or call 843-300-3008.
By Meredith A. Hagen
