When you need health care services, you want the best. Following are key questions to ask when choosing a provider of home care.

Comprehensive Services

1. Do the services include coordination of medical equipment/supplies and community resources?

2. Does the staff include RN's, LPN's, home health aides, homemakers, live-in companions, physical, occupational and speech therapist, and medical social workers?

3. Does the agency have special programs, such as geriatric care, cardiac rehab, hi-tech nursing, and psychiatric support?

4. Are hospice services available for the terminally ill?

5. Is respite care offered to relieve caregivers?

Quality of Care

1. Does the agency hold Medicare and Medicaid certification?

2. Is a plan of care written by a LPN with the help of patient and family?

3. Is there case management and supervision by a RN of all caregivers?

4. Is there a local physician Medical Director to review patient care, and see that professional standards are met?

5. Is the agency a member of the National Association for Home Care and does it obtain evaluations of service from patients?

6. Is there a Patient Bill of Rights and Grievance Policy?

Staff Selection and Training

1. Are clinical staff applicants tested on job knowledge and shills before hiring?

2. Are staff skills and experience matched to clients "specific needs"?

3. Are there on-going professional education and training programs?

4. Is staff trained in CPR and other emergency procedures?

5. Are there training programs for intravenous therapy administration, ventilator care, chemotherapy and hospice car?

Cost, Location & Convenience

1. Are agency offices accessible, with local staff and supervision?

2. Does a RN assess home health needs at no charge?

3. Are fees competitive? Does the agency inform clients of all charges?

4. Is a sliding fee scale based on income available when insurance does not cover costs?

5. Are agency staff on call 24 hours/day, 7 days/week?

6. Does the agency act as a client advocate, verify insurance and submit claims?

Reputation

1. Is there a local management team of experience health care professionals?

2. Are there letters of recommendation from physicians and clients?

3. Does the agency work with area colleges/universities in education and research?

If the answer to most of these questions is yes, you probably have selected a high quality provider of home health care. It is important that you ask questions to find out which home care agency near you is most capable of dealing with your specific needs.

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Webmaster, Maj. Harold Carney, USAF (retired)