Let us walk though how to collect information about care providers, together.

 
1. Determine who are the organizations that offer care in your region.

•  Many markets will have senior resource guides that include a listing of all providers of care.

•  Hospital case managers are a wonderful resource for knowing how to get a listing.

•  An Internet search may reveal some providers or you may be able to find a complete listing this way. 

• National or state associations will have listings of all their provider members - nursing homes, assisted living, home health all have associations.

2. If you are looking for a facility narrow the field by desired location.  For home health, the county or region will suffice as the staff travel.  Pick a few organizations that you would like to check out.
 
3.  Collect information.  Talk to friends, family doctor, neighbors, and health care workers.  Nose around on the Internet a bit to see what you can learn.  Almost every organization has a web site.  Take an evening and visit those web sites.  Collect the following information. 

• Are they licensed?
• Are they accredited?
• Who owns the organization?
• Who leads the organization? (my personal favorite)
• What is the size of the organization?
• Where are they located?
• How broad are the services they provide?
• Will they bill Medicare or your insurance when warranted?

    
4.  Once you are armed with information it is time to go for a test ride.  Call each organization, sit in their lobby for a bit, take a tour, talk to people.  Learn everything you can about the organizations you are considering.  There is no substitute for this work.
 
Now that you are armed with a template just make sure not to skip steps.  If your timeline is short, you can always have in-home care for a week or two while you sort things out.