BrightStar Care's Homecare Prep Kit can help families plan homecare, from childcare to elder care, companion home healthcare to skilled homecare services.

1. Home Care Preparation Kit

2. A journey of a thousand miles starts with just one step. And when
it comes to finding homecare for a loved one, it can be a daunting
task to face.
• At BrightStar, we understand that most people don’t plan to need
homecare and the process is often new to families who need it.
• That’s why we’ve come up with a helpful kit to empower you and
your loved ones.
From childcare to elder care, be prepared

3. From childcare to elder care, ranging from companion homecare
services to highly skilled home healthcare, get your search started
on the right foot. This kit includes:
• Questions to ask yourself to determine your family’s needs
• Hints that will help to make the process as smooth as possible
• A helpful chart to guide you in comparing multiple agencies on
important criteria

4. Do Your Homework!
• Before you make your first phone call, consider what you and
your loved one’s care needs are.
• Try to paint a realistic picture of the patient’s needs so that the
right caregiver match can be made.

5. > Do you simply need a companion, or someone who can provide
hands-on care (i.e. lifting, assistance getting into/out of the bath,
etc.)?
> Do you need a caregiver that speaks a particular language or is
versed in sign language?

6. > Do you need skilled medical assistance for things like blood
pressure and blood sugar testing, medication administration,
wound care or tube/drain/bag maintenance?
> Do you need a caregiver who can drive you to appointments or
social events? If so, must they have their own car?

7. > Is a memory loss diagnosis (i.e. Alzheimer’s, Dementia) a factor
or is the patient becoming confused or forgetful?
> Do you need a caregiver who has received some specialized
training in fields such as hospice care, memory loss (i.e.
Alzheimer’s, Dementia), or severe mobility issues?

8. Helpful Hints
BrightStar suggests the following to help make the process of
obtaining quality home care easier and eliminate any unwelcome
surprises:

9. • Before your caregiver starts, write out your loved one’s daily and
weekly schedule.
• Include their likes and dislikes with respect to food/diet and
activities.
• This will help make the transition easier, less stressful and help
your caregiver get up to speed quickly.

10. Remember that you are also the client – never hesitate to express
your needs and give feedback, especially if you are dissatisfied.
The matching of a caregiver is as much an art as a science. Clear,
constructive feedback always helps!

11. Interviewing the Agency
To protect yourself and your loved
ones from potential liability, make
sure you ask the right questions
while researching homecare
agencies.

12. Here is a list of questions to ask, as
well as a chart for you to use to
compare the different companies you
speak with during your search.

13. Do you provide insurance for
accidents, if they occur, in the home?
Company
#2
Company
#3
Are you licensed for medical care
and non-medical (companion) care?
Do you have an RN to conduct an
initial assessment before starting each
engagement and to follow up with
supervisory visits to ensure the plan of
care is being executed upon?
Yes*
Yes
Yes
* Availability of medical services is based on state licensure. Contact your local BrightStar office for a
full list of services available in your area.

14. Do you have skilled staff members
conduct an initial assessment before
starting each engagement?
Company
#2
Company
#3
Are all employees drug tested,
background checked, licensed, bonded
and insured?
Do you take care of paying the
employees, including taxes and
withholding?
Yes
Yes
Yes

15. Will you send another worker of equal
skill and experience levels if my
caregiver has an emergency?
Company
#2
Company
#3
Can I interview the employee(s) before
I commit to using your agency?
Does your agency have a Guaranteed
Compatibility® system in place if there
is a conflict of personalities between
me or my loved one and the caregiver?
Yes
Yes
Yes

16. Can you accommodate any length of
visit request, even as short as 1 hour
per day? What are your rates?
Company
#2
Company
#3
Can I get someone who has worked
with a patient with a similar
condition/illness?
Yes
Yes
Please contact us
for rates

17. Find Quality Care Now
Locate a BrightStar Near You!
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