Half serious, half sarcastic

[Morticia]

OK, I am looking for someone to help my dad around the house. He needs someone to do housekeeping and make him some meals. I got a list from the state office on aging and I've been running down the list getting info on what services they provide.
Now for the serious/sarcastic bit: should I base my decision on the website? Partly? If a website has broken links to major information portals (like office on aging), hasn't been updated since 2007, or other things that show lack of attention to detail, should I assume they are super busy taking care of clients or that they just don't give a care or they don't have the money to do the updates because of poor financial planning or what?
I hate to be a website snob but geez louise people, this is where I find out what services you offer and what your phone number is and what resources you recommend.
Totally off topic but something I am trying to do today.

 

[EmptyNest]

Websites should provide up to date information. Unfortunately many of these agencies don't have staff or money to keep updating. I do quite a few non profit sites...gratis...and I make it my business to contact them and make sure things are up to date. Others may not be so lucky.

 

[JimBoone]

Worked at a smaller public agency prior to retirement and at times made changes to their website. I doubt an agency means to neglect their website, but unlike a large corporation with a dedicated web person, at the agency tending the web is just a little something extra to do when the everyday job has been completed, then add in the complication that while I may could have changed a link any real changes may require several folks having extra time all at the same time, not easy.

 

[Samster]

They have a web site? Seriously...a lot of things here are still done by telephone calls to the agency. I have elderly friends that had quite a bit of time even getting to the information.
These places often operate on shoe string budgets and coordinate with other private resources to get folks help. (Meals on Wheels here is apparently not so great. My friends got hooked up with a church community meals program that is so much better.)

 

[Anon Inn]

Same out here. And the phone maze also not so good. But once you get into the system, caregivers themselves can be good, and will often give recommendations of others who are also good.
Best wishes. My dad just turned 90.

 

[Hillbilly]

I have a good friend who owns a construction company. He had a website but hasn't touched it for like 10 years. He is so busy he doesn't need a website but has one anyway. Usually word of mouth is the best advertising for construction and j would assume for a care giver. So I really don't think having a website current is a must for a care giver.

 

[Morticia]

Same out here. And the phone maze also not so good. But once you get into the system, caregivers themselves can be good, and will often give recommendations of others who are also good.
Best wishes. My dad just turned 90..

Congrats to your dad! That's quite the milestone!

 

[Silverspoon]

Have you tried the local Council on Aging? Most towns around here have a COA with knowledgable, helpful staff that deal with elderly issues all the time?
Although it's really tough managing a parent's "life" from afar, it can be done. I found a great aide/housekeeper/caregiver through an agency in FL, paid her a bit extra and she was a loyal, honest, caring person. I would have been desperate without her.
I assume you already know about the VA if your dad qualifies for help. And sometimes the Medicaid folks have recommendations since they refer all the time.