What Should One Expect from Home Health Care Service
i. To begin treatment, a doctor’s order is required. When your doctor suggests you for home health care, a home health agency will set up an appointment with you and come to your house to discuss your requirements and ask you some health-related questions.
ii. The employees of the home health agency will also discuss your treatment with your doctor and keep him or her informed of your progress.
iii. It’s critical that you see a home health aide as often as the doctor specifies.
Questions to Ask When One Need A Healthcare Assistance
Medical care to assistance with regular household duties are all available through home care services. If you’re looking for home care, ask yourself these questions to find the greatest fit for your requirements.
Home care services may be of interest to you if you are recuperating from surgery or require long-term care for a chronic disease, or if you have a loved one who is in a similar position. Home care services include anything from specialized treatment from nurses or physical or occupational therapists to home assistance like cleaning, cooking, and errands.
Knowing what questions to ask will help guarantee that you receive excellent support, whether you’re going to enlist the help of a home care services business or employ a personal home health aide.
Qualifications
If you’re thinking about hiring a home care provider, ask these questions:
• Is the firm licensed by the state? Consult your state’s health agency for further information.
• Is the agency certified by Medicare to fulfil federal health and safety requirements? If not, inquire as to why.
• How is personnel screening carried out? Is it possible for the agency to furnish references? Inquire about a list of doctors, hospital discharge planners, and other experts who have worked with the organization previously
If you’re thinking about hiring a home health assistant:
• Ask about the helper’s credentials. Check with the licensing organization if he or she claims to be licensed.
• Can the helper give at least two employer references? Make a comprehensive examination of them.
• Request suggestions from your or your loved one’s doctor, social worker, hospital discharge planner, family, and friends.
Quality of Care
• How does the agency train and oversee caregivers, if you’re contemplating a home care services agency? Is there any kind of ongoing education offered by the organization?
• Are the caregivers certified, licensed, and insured?
• Do the personnel of the agency appear to be kind and helpful?
• If you’re thinking about hiring a home health assistant, ask yourself these questions:
• Does the home health aide have a pleasant attitude?
• Is the home health aide a good fit for you and your loved one?
Cost
If you’re thinking about hiring a home care agency, ask these questions:
• How does the agency manage expenditures and billing? Request material that explains all services and rates, as well as full explanations of all home care expenditures.
• Will health insurance or Medicare pay the costs of the agency? Check to discover what sort of coverage your health insurance provides, and make sure you know what Medicare’s requirements are. Do they, for example, necessitate your loved one to be homebound?
• What financial resources does the agency have available if financial help is required? Is a payment plan, for example, available?
• Obtain written confirmation of costs and payments.
If you’re thinking about hiring a home health assistant, ask the following questions:
• How much does the aide charge for home health services? What services are covered by such charges?
• What about sick days, vacation days, or holidays? Do you get paid for them? Determine the number of sick and vacation days that can be taken, as well as which days are deemed holidays.
• Will you be liable for social security and other types of payroll taxes?
Understanding Services
- Will you be given a documented care plan before you start receiving services? Details concerning medical equipment, specialized care requirements, and the aide’s or agency’s obligations should all be included in the care plan. It should also include doctor feedback and be updated on a regular basis.
- Will you be provided with a list of all parties’ rights and responsibilities? A patient’s bill of rights is another name for this.
- Will the agency communicate directly with you or a loved one, as well as family members and health-care providers?
- When will the service be available? Is care accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, if needed?
What processes are in place in the event of an emergency? Inquire about the agency’s or home health aide’s plans in the case of a power outage or natural disaster.
Source:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/healthy-aging/in-depth/home-care-services/art-20044609
https://homecareassistance.com/blog/guide-to-private-duty-homecare