FAMILY HOME HEALTH CARE SERVICES, INC.

Getting proper home care for yourself or someone you love should be as important to the agency you choose as it is to you. We at Family Home Health Care Services, Inc. work to promote excellence in home care. We hope that this section of this site will help you have a better understanding of Home Health Care.

What is home care?

Home care encompasses a wide range of health and social services that can be delivered at home to recovering, disabled or chronically ill persons in need of medical, nursing, social, or therapeutic treatment and/or assistance with the essential activities of daily living. It can be for anyone - individuals and families of all ages who are challenged by a variety of health and social problems such as short - or long-term illness, injury, physical handicaps, mental health disorders, and chemical dependencies. Among those who can benefit from home care services are people who: can be discharged from a hospital or a nursing facility, but need additional care at home; require short-term assistance at home because of outpatient surgery or maternity-related incapacity; need additional assistance to live independently due to illness, disability, or aging; have conditions such as congestive heart disease, diabetes, and muscular, nervous, or respiratory disorders; are terminally ill and want to spend their remaining time in dignity and the comfort of home. Generally, home care is appropriate whenever a person prefers to stay home, but needs ongoing care that cannot easily or effectively be provided solely by family and friends. More and more older people, electing to live independent lives outside of an institution, are taking advantage of home care services as their physical capabilities diminish. Younger adults who are disabled or recuperating from acute illness are choosing home care whenever possible chronically ill infants and children are benefiting from sophisticated medical treatment in their loving and secure home environments. Thanks to the success of modern technology, yielding state-of-the-art medical equipment for use in the home, and technicians who are trained to operate such equipment, an increasing number of people are able to leave institutions or avoid ever having to enter them. They can be cared for safely and effectively in the comfort of their own home, surrounded by the ones they love.

Who provides home care?

Home care services are provided by home care agencies. Home care agencies generally fall into three main groups: home care agencies, home care aide organizations, and hospices. In the past century these public and private nonprofit organizations have centered around a core of professional nursing and home care aide services. Home care agencies also provide a variety of other services, including physical, occupational, and speech therapy, and social and nutritional care. Home care usually requires a team effort. Depending on a person's needs, it may involve professionals, paraprofessionals, and volunteers. Before one receives home care, a specific plan of treatment should be designed by a physician, nurse, and/or medical social worker in cooperation with the people who will provide the care. The team of caregivers is usually comprised of: physicians, social workers, registered nurses (RNs), licensed vocational nurses (LVNs), therapy specialists (physical, occupational, and speech therapists), dietitians, pharmacists, home care aides, chore workers/companions, family members, and/or volunteers. Home care agencies coordinate the efforts of this caregiving team to provide smooth and successful home care experiences.

Who pays for home care services?

Home care can be paid for directly by the patient and his or her family members or through a variety of private and public sources. Private insurance programs typically cover services for acute needs but benefits for long-term services vary from plan to plan. Public third-party payers may include Medicare, Medicaid, the Older Americans Act, and Social Services Block Grant programs. Prior to providing services the best agencies will screen your insurance plan and confirm with you your level of coverage.

How do I find home care services?

Finding the home care agency best suited for your needs requires research, but it is time well spent. Important factors include the quality of care, availability of needed services, personnel training and expertise, and coverage provided by the payer. Fortunately most communities have a variety of agencies to choose from. To locate home care agencies in your area, ask your doctor for a referral or consult with a hospital discharge planner. You also should contact your state's departments of health, aging, and social services to obtain a list of their licensed agencies. In addition home care agencies are listed in the yellow pages under "home care" or "home health care." If your community has information and referral services such as the United Way, check with them. Your place of religious worship also may have information about local home care agencies. Most state associations maintain directories of existing home care agencies and can help you identify an appropriate provider.

How do I select the right agency?

Once you acquire the names of several agencies, you will want to learn more about their services and reputations. Following are some questions to ask home care providers and community leaders. Their insight will help you determine which agency is best for you or your loved one.

1. How long has the agency been serving the community?

2. Is the agency certified by Medicare? A Medicare-certified home care agency is one that has met federal minimum requirements for patient care and financial management and therefore can provide Medicare and some Medicaid home health services. To determine the caliber of a Medicare-certified agency, you can review its Medicare Survey Report. Contact your state health department or hotline for assistance in obtaining this document. Keep in mind that an agency's decision not to become certified does not imply that it provides poor care. In many cases, these agencies adhere to their own set of standards. It is imperative that you consider all the circumstances surrounding and agency's home care services before making a final decision.

3. Is the agency licensed? Many states require home care agencies to be licensed to operate. To obtain a license an agency usually has to meet the basic legal and operation standards regulated by the state department of health. Typically, these requirements do not indicate the quality of services an agency provides. If your state requires agencies to be licensed, however, one's failure to do so may indicate that caution in choosing that agency is necessary.

4. Is the agency accredited? Accreditation is a voluntary process conducted by nonprofit professional organizations. It signifies that the agency has met national industry standards. Agencies may be accredited by the Community Health Accreditation Program, the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, and/or the National HomeCaring Council Division of the Foundation for Hospice and Homecare. Most agencies seek accreditation from the organization most applicable to their services.

5. Does the agency provide literature explaining its services, eligibility requirements, fees, and funding sources? An annual report can provide helpful information about the agency. Many providers supply patients with the detailed "Patent's Bill or Rights" that outlines the rights and responsibilities of the providers, patients, and caregivers alike.

6. How does the agency select and train its employees? Does it protect its workers with written personnel policies, benefits packages, and malpractice insurance?

7. Are the agency's nurses or therapists required to evaluate the patient's home care needs? If so, what does this entail? Are the patient's physicians and family members consulted?

8. Is the patient's course of treatment documented, detailing the specific tasks to be carried out by each professional caregiver? Is a copy of this plan given to the patient and his or her family members and updated as changes occur?

9. Does the agency assign supervisors to oversee the quality of care patients are receiving in their homes? If so, how often do these individuals make visits? Whom can you call with questions or complaints? How are problems followed up and resolved?

10. Does the agency take time to educate family members on the type of care that is being provided?

11. What are the agency's financial procedures? Does it provide written statements that explain all the costs and payment plan options associated with home care?

12. What procedures are in place to handle emergencies? Are the agency's caregivers available 24 hours a day, seven days a week?

13. How does the provider ensure patient confidentiality?

How can I be satisfied that this is the best agency for me?

Ask the home care agency to provide you with a list of individuals who are familiar with its reputation. Consult these people as well as physicians, discharge planners, and community leaders to help assess the quality of service the agency provides. Ask each person with whom you speak the following:

1. Do they frequently refer clients to this agency? Do they have a contractual relationship with the provider?

2. What sort of feedback have they gotten from patients receiving care from this agency?

3. Do they know of any clients the agency has treated whose cases are similar to yours or your loved one's? If so, can they put you in touch with these people?

What if a problem develops?

If you invest some time and follow the steps outlined in this pamphlet, you most likely will receive high-quality home care that is safe and effective. If a problem develops, however, or you would like to issue a complaint, notify the: home care agency's chief administrator or clinical supervisor, state health department or hotline, and/or Better Business Bureau.