Choosing a CDPAP Home Care Agency: Qualities to Look For
An estimated 70 percent of people aged 65 and older will require long-term care at some point. Choosing the right type of senior care for your loved one will go a long way in improving their quality of life. Home care is one of the best long-term care options. It allows your loved one to age in place within their existing home, effectively eliminating the need to move. Through the CDPAP program, you can hire the caregiver of your choice. However, the first step to finding a good personal care assistant is to know how to choose the right CDPAP home care agency.
So how can you identify a reputable and reliable CDPAP home care agency? Below are four qualities to consider when searching.
Licensing and Certification: Ensuring Quality Care
Hiring a private duty caregiver for your elderly loved one is an important decision. You will want to ensure that your relative is in competent and caring hands.
With a reliable CDPAP home care agency, both the agency and its staff will be licensed and certified to provide care. Licensure and certification are proof that staff members have the training and expertise to provide exemplary service and that the agency adheres to high standards of care. Also, make sure the agency performs background checks and screens all caregivers. That way, you can rest easy knowing your loved one will receive quality elderly care at home.
Personalized Care Plans and Services
The care and support needs of older adults vary widely. As such, there is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to elder care.
The right CDPAP home care agency will offer a wide range of services including nutrition, grooming and dressing, companionship, healthcare, and round-the-clock care. This will make it possible to provide personalized home care tailored to meet the unique needs of each senior. Customized care will in turn make life easier and safer for your loved one. Lastly, a good agency will allow consumers to choose a caregiver, something that presents an opportunity to take care of a family member.
Transparent Pricing and Billing
Elder care can be very expensive, especially when it is long-term care. When your elderly loved one needs care and support, the last thing you want is an agency with excessive charges, double billing, and hidden fees.
Before working with a CDPAP home care agency, ensure they offer reasonable prices and emphasize transparent billing. Price clarity will enable you to understand the costs associated with home care services so you can make informed decisions and pay your bills promptly. Similarly, transparency will help you lower costs, enjoy improved value, and ultimately build trust.
Client Testimonials and Reviews
Doing your research will help you choose the right CDPAP home care agency. Before making a decision, take time to go through client testimonials and reviews. That way, you will obtain insights into the experiences of past clients and get an idea of what it is like to work with the agency.
Generally, a good home care agency should have more positive than negative reviews. Positive reviews are an indication that clients had a great experience and were satisfied with the caregiver assistance services offered. By choosing such a home health care agency, you are likely to be connected to a competent PA in whose hands your senior will be safe.
About the CDPAP Program
CDPAP, a New York Medicaid-funded program, allows residents to choose and hire their assistants as well as direct their care. The homecare caregiver can be a family member or close friend. As eligible family caregivers, you then get paid to care for your loved one.
Before you apply to be a caregiver for a family member, learn about CDPAP eligibility, the application process, the enrollment process, the pay rate, and the benefits of the program.
CDPAP benefits include:
- Flexibility and independence
- Consumers can choose their preferred home caregiver
- Choice of personal assistant ensures compatibility and promotes a strong relationship
- Personalized care that meets the specific needs and preferences of the older adult
- Continuity of elderly home care from a familiar person
- Family caregivers take care of a family member and get paid
Why choose Elite Choice?
- Weekly pay:
Your caregivers receive weekly pay through direct deposit. Your caregiver is there for you, we ensure that they are paid on time.
- Accurate pay:
With our electronic visit verification system (EVV), we monitor your schedule for any discrepancies before pay is submitted. This way your caregiver is paid accurately each week.
- Simple clock-in/clock-out:
We make it easy to keep track of your time, all the time.
- Never Call Twice:
Our system ensures that you are routed to the correct person the first time you call.
- Consumer Support:
Our staff is trained so that they are ready and able to assist you with any questions you may have.
- Join Elite Choice from home:
Having trouble getting out? Don’t worry, Elite Choice will come to your home to help you apply.
- Paid time off:
Caregivers need to recharge in order to give their best care 100% of the time. With Elite Choice, they get to structure their own PTO for optimal use.
If you are looking for a private caregiver for your loved one? Elite Choice is proud to be one of only 16 agencies that have been awarded as a leading FI for CDPAP. We help both the consumer and caregiver so your loved one can receive the care they deserve. Find the perfect CDPAP home care agency that meets your specific needs with our helpful tips. You can also contact us for more information or support.
Written by: Leah Ganz
Leah Ganz, RN, BSN is the Director of Patient Services at Elite Home Health Care. She has an extensive background in homecare and previously worked in various specialties including pediatrics, pain management and internal medicine. She oversees all patient services across Elite's departments.