| Before modern medicine, caring for someone | | | | event of a lawsuit by a consumer. |
| medically in the home was quite common, and | | | | |
| hospitalization was rare. Today, with a | | | | Certification - State certification by state |
| growing trend toward reduced hospital stays, | | | | health departments makes a home health or |
| home care is gaining popularity. | | | | hospice care provider eligible for Medicare |
| | | | (and sometimes Medicaid) payments. To become |
| While caregivers of the past were generally | | | | certified, a provider must meet basic federal |
| family members or friends, home health care | | | | and state standards in patient care and |
| today is based more on a professional health | | | | financial management. Certified health care |
| care team working toward a common goal. | | | | professionals are certified by their |
| | | | respective national organizations. The |
| Today home health care may be considered for | | | | certification usually requires passing a |
| patients who are recovering from an illness, | | | | national test and/or work experience. |
| undergoing treatment, disabled, chronically | | | | |
| ill, or terminally ill. | | | | Accreditation - Nationally recognized |
| | | | accrediting organizations evaluate and |
| Home health care is not an option for | | | | accredit quality health care services. A |
| everyone. Generally, the patient receiving | | | | provider must voluntarily seek out this |
| care or treatment must be well enough to be | | | | accreditation. Some organizations that |
| cared for in the home setting. | | | | accredit home heath care include the |
| | | | Accreditation Commission for Home Care, Inc., |
| Who provides the best home health care | | | | the Community Health and Accreditation |
| services? Various agencies and other | | | | Program, the Joint Commission on |
| companies provide home health care including | | | | Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, |
| home health agencies, homemaker and home care | | | | the National Committee for Quality Assurance, |
| aide agencies, pharmaceutical and infusion | | | | and The National Home Caring Council. |
| therapy companies, durable medical equipment | | | | |
| and supply dealers, and staffing registries | | | | When choosing a provider, you should consider |
| and private duty agencies. | | | | asking the following questions: |
| | | | |
| So, how do you choose a home care provider? | | | | * How many years has the provider been |
| Locating an appropriate home health care | | | | serving the community? |
| provider requires some research. You will | | | | |
| need to consult with your physician to | | | | * Does the provider have literature |
| evaluate your home care needs. When looking | | | | describing it services, costs, and funding? |
| for a provider, consider the quality of care, | | | | |
| the availability of services, personnel | | | | * Is an evaluation of the patient's home |
| training and expertise, and payer coverage. | | | | health care needs required? Is there a |
| | | | written plan of care for the patient? |
| When evaluating the quality of a provider, | | | | |
| you may encounter the following terms: | | | | * When are caregivers available? |
| | | | |
| Licensure - Some states require providers to | | | | * Is there a nursing supervisor on call |
| have licenses to operate. Basic legal and | | | | 24-hours a day? |
| operating requirements mandated by the state | | | | |
| must be met to obtain a license. | | | | * Can the provider ensure patient |
| | | | confidentiality? |
| Bonding - A bond is a type of insurance | | | | |
| policy for a provider. To become "bonded", | | | | * How is the quality of care and services |
| the provider must pay a set amount. The bond | | | | monitored? |
| protects the provider from bankruptcy in the | | | | |