Generally, home care is appropriate whenever a person prefers to stay at home but needs ongoing care that cannot easily or effectively be provided solely by family and friends.
Home health services are delivered to recovering, disabled, chronically or terminally ill persons in need of medical, nursing, social, or therapeutic treatment and/or assistance with the essential activities of daily living.
Generally, home care is appropriate whenever a person prefers to stay at home but needs ongoing care that cannot easily or effectively be provided solely by family and friends. Older people electing to live independent lives, younger adults who are disabled or recuperating from acute illness, chronically ill infants and children, and people diagnosed with terminal illness are opting for home health care services.
How long has this provider been serving the community?
Does this provider supply literature explaining its services, eligibility requirements, fees, and funding sources? Many providers furnish patients with a detailed "Patient Bill of Rights" that outlines the rights and responsibilities of the providers, patients, and caregivers alike. An annual report and other educational materials also can provide helpful information about the provider.
How does this provider select and train its employees? Does it protect its workers with written personnel policies, benefits packages, and malpractice insurance?
Are nurses or therapists required to evaluate the patient's home care needs? If so, what does this entail? Do they consult the patient's physicians and family members?
Does this provider include the patient and his or her family members in developing the plan of care? Are they involved in making care plan changes?
Is the patient's course of treatment documented, detailing the specific tasks to be carried out by each professional caregiver? Does the patient and his or her family receive a copy of this plan, and do the caregivers update it as changes occur? Does this provider take time to educate family members on the care being administered to the patient?
Does this provider assign supervisors to oversee the quality of care patients are receiving in their homes? If so, how often do these individuals make visits? Who can the patient and his or her family members call with questions or complaints? How does the agency follow up on and resolve problems?
What are the financial procedures of this provider? Does the provider furnish written statements explaining all of the costs and payment plan options associated with home care?
What procedures does this provider have in place to handle emergencies? Are its caregivers available 24 hours a day, seven days a week?
How does this provider ensure patient confidentiality?
In addition, ask the home care provider to supply you with a list of references, such as doctors, discharge planners, patients or their family members, and community leaders who are familiar with the provider's quality of service.
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Exclusively for Kudzu shoppers, $35 off our regular pricing.How can you be sure? Simple, all our prices are pre-set and obtainable on our website 'request a quote' forms. After you get the email with all our pricing, just let us know that you deserve a $35 discount and we'll be glad to reward our Kudzu audience!
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