Show #377 Airing Sunday, 3/4/07
Immediately following a hospital stay, families are often put on the spot about post discharge homecare. You need to make decisions, but you might not even know what your choices are. That’s why Becky Loucks, business development manager of the Visiting Nurse Association, is joining us today. Becky’s here to make sure we know about our homecare options.
Question: Choosing homecare for a loved one is an important decision often made in a high-pressure situation. How can we make the right choice?
Answer: First, it's important to recognize that you do indeed have a choice. Many times, the need for homecare follows a hospital stay or time in a skilled facility. The patient is being released to home, yet they need assistance.
Patients do have a choice concerning homecare, by law. They do not have to accept homecare connected with the hospital or facility they are already in.
Question: So now that we know we have a choice, what's the first step towards making the right one?
Answer: The first step is to discover what care needs the patient has. Meet with their doctor, social worker, and/or discharge planner and find out the services required to keep the loved one at home. For example, do they need physical, occupational, or speech therapy? Do they need any equipment, like supplies for diabetes testing? Do they need treatment for wounds, etc.?
Question: You now have a list of needs. Where do you find agencies that can match them?
Answer: There are three different types of homecare agencies:
- Home Health Agency-offers skilled care (nurses, therapies, etc.)
- Hospice-care for those with a life-limiting illness
- Homemaker services-offers non-medical services such as housecleaning, cooking, running errands, etc.
You can call your county's department on aging for references or 211 (United Way's First call for Help). There is also a service offered by an Elder Life Advisor who will consult with patients and families to assess care needs and assist in identifying an appropriate provider.
Question: What questions do you ask prospective agencies?
Answer: After ensuring that they have the services you need, there are several questions you can ask:
- Are they accredited, certified, and licensed? Accreditation is from the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, meaning that the agency has met certain standards, offering good quality care. Certification means the agency has met the federal requirements for Medicare and Medicaid. Licensing comes from the state.
- Does the agency offer a continuum of care? For example, at the Visiting Nurse Association, we offer skilled nursing, specialized and palliative care, and hospice care. The patient can have the same caregivers regardless of their changing needs.
- If you are looking for services for someone not on Medicare or Medicaid, ask if the agency is contracted with the proper insurance companies. Find out what they will pay for and for how long.
Making an informed homecare choice for a loved one is a lot easier when you know your options. Educate yourself. To learn more, and for a free brochure explaining skilled homecare and the services offered by the Visiting Nurse Association, call the following number. My thanks to Becky Loucks.
