Choosing a Home Care Agency FAQ
Keeping a loved at home is always preferred over placement in a facility. Allowing our loved ones to remain safely at home requires coordination, input of all family members, and assistance from professionals. This can include hospital discharge planners, medical equipment providers and, most importantly, a home care provider.
Once the decision to seek home care is made, the selection of providers is the next step. Selecting a Home Care Agency is strongly preferred over choosing an individual provider. Agencies are required to meet regulatory standards, and many are accredited as well. Clinical Oversight, on-site supervision and selection of qualified, competent staff are but a few of the services provided to ensure peace of mind in the selection of caregivers.
Home health care offers a more independent lifestyle for individuals by providing Home Health Aides to assist in daily activities, aiding in various household duties. Home Care can also offer skilled, professional care from Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses, enabling medically fragile children and adults to remain safely at home. Home Health care also encompasses a team effort that requires the family, the provider, the payer and case manager to coordinate efforts and maintain ongoing dialogue regarding the level and appropriateness of care.
Selecting a Home Care Agency can be overwhelming for patients and their families. Each State has specific requirements as does the federal government for the licensing and certification of Home Care Agencies. Caregiver screening is conducted for background checks, references, skills demonstrations and ongoing education. Thus the home care agency provides a level of oversight you may not otherwise have if you choose an individual caregiver through other methods such as classified advertisements.
To assist you in the search for the most qualified home care agency, here are some examples of questions you might ask, along with guidance regarding answers you should expect: