Home Care Basics

Answers to your questions about in-home care

Employing a health care professional to care for your loved one is a very important decision, but one in which most people have little training or experience. The ultimate goal is to enable your loved one to receive the highest level of care, administered by an experienced, responsible and caring professional – while remaining in the comfort of their own home.

Home health care is an option for patients in many different medical situations. Those who are disabled or recuperating from acute illness, as well as chronically ill patients who require sophisticated medical treatment, but prefer receiving care in a secure home environment. People diagnosed with terminal illness may also be cared for at home, receiving compassion and maintaining dignity at the end of life.

Nursefinders understands that hiring a home health care provider to care for your loved one can be a daunting and stressful task. To ensure peace of mind with your selection, be sure to ask potential caregivers the following questions:

• How long has the agency been in business?
• Is the agency licensed by the state?
• Are your home health care workers certified or licensed by the state?
• Have you personally checked my assigned caregiver’s references, and is he or she bonded?
• How long has my assigned caregiver worked in the agency's employ?
• Is there a registered nurse who supervises on a regular basis?
• Is there a trained coordinator available by telephone 24-7? (a requirement for licensed facilities)

Be sure to also discuss payment for services. Home care services can be paid for directly by the patient and his or her family members or through private insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, or a variety of other public and private sources.

Whether your loved one needs round-the-clock attention or a home health aide to visit for a few hours a day, help is available.

For more information, call 800.445.0459 or send an e-mail.

What Is Home Care?

“Home Care" is a simple phrase to describe health care services delivered at home to recovering, disabled or chronically or terminally ill persons. Home care staff may provide medical, nursing, or therapy treatments and may also provide services to assist clients with the essential activities of daily living. While it is not a surprise to find that most people prefer to receive health care in the privacy of their own homes, many are unaware of the added benefits of home care services. Home care services are:

• Cost-effective and often less expensive than traditional inpatient care
• Clinically effective, increasing positive patient outcomes and improving the quality of life for patients and family members
• Fundamental in reducing hospital stays and re-hospitalization and thus reducing the risks of catching secondary hospital acquired infections and illnesses

Statistical Source: American Association of Home Care

When Do We Need Home Care Services?

Home care services are appropriate whenever a person prefers to stay at home but needs ongoing care that cannot easily or effectively be provided solely by family and friends.

With more than ten million elderly Americans today needing help with basic activities of daily living, seniors are increasingly dependant on home care services to assist them in maintaining independent, non-institutionalized lives. Such basic necessities include bathing and dressing, preparing meals, running errands such as food shopping and picking up prescriptions, cleaning the house, and transportation to doctor appointments. According to the Family Caregiver Alliance, approximately 25 percent of all workers in the U.S. today provide care to an elderly relative or friend.

As the length of hospital stays decreases, increasing numbers of patients both young and old need highly skilled services when they return home. Those who are disabled or recuperating from acute illness, as well as chronically ill patients who require sophisticated medical treatment, prefer receiving care in a secure home environment. People diagnosed with terminal illness may also be cared for at home, receiving compassion and maintaining dignity at the end of life.

Whether individuals need round-the-clock attention or a home health aide to visit for a few hours a day, help is available.

Who Pays for Home Care?

Home care services can be paid for directly by the patient and his or her family members or through private insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, or a variety of other public and private sources. Benefits and requirements for care vary greatly so it is wise to know the specific coverage available before beginning home care services. Most home care agency providers can assist clients with determining insurance coverage and exploring payment options for required services.

What to Expect When Starting Home Care Services

Proper expectations and communications are critical to a healthy relationship with your home health agency and caregiver. Here are some tips to help get you prepared for a great start.

• Determine how the home care nurse, aide, or others will be paid. If this service is not covered by insurance, make sure you discuss and agree on the fee for each home care team member.
• Have all medications, insurance cards, and hospital discharge information available at the first visit from the visiting nurse.
• Familiarize yourself with the home care plan and know what to expect, when the nurse or aide will be in the home, for how long, and what services will be provided.
• Keep important patient information handy for the home health care worker. This includes emergency information, as well as current medications and advance directives (e.g. home DNR order, living will, or written information about the health care proxy).
• Know who to call if you need help when the home care worker is not scheduled to be there. There should be someone from the home care team/agency available for you to contact 24 hours per day.
• Participate in making the care plan with the hospital staff and home care agency.

Ask to be educated about the patient's needs and anything you can do to help when the home care worker is not in the house.