If you or a loved one needs home health care, you want to be sure you choose care that best suits your needs. Not all home health care is created equally. You want to do your homework, ask questions, and then decide what agency will provide the care you seek. At Aleca Home Health Services, we are committed to helping people find the home health care in Arizona that is right for them. We will take a closer look at what you need to know and what questions you should ask to get you going in the right direction.
What is Home Health Care?
Home health care is a type of health care that is provided in a patient’s home and can include a variety of services such as:[1]
- Skilled nursing care
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Speech therapy
- Wound care
- Pain management
To receive home health care services, patients must receive a doctor’s order and meet certain eligibility requirements. Medicare will cover home health care services if you need part-time or intermittent skilled services, and you meet the criteria for being considered homebound.[2]
What to Look For When Searching for Home Health Care
If you are searching for home health care, here are some factors to consider so that you get what you need:
Services Offered
When looking for home health care, the agency needs to offer the services you need. If you are looking for wound care, you must ensure it is under the umbrella of services offered. You can’t assume that all home health agencies will offer the same services.
Accreditation and Licensing
Before signing on with a home health care agency, you want to be sure they are reputable, licensed, and accredited. Anything less is not going to cut it.
Qualified Caregivers
What qualifications do caregivers have? Check to see if their experience is relevant to your needs. For example, if you need a physical therapist, you want to know how long they have been in the field and how they perform their services.
Reputation and History
Check the agency’s reputation and history. Has it had any complaints lodged against them? If so, what was the reason, and how was the issue resolved?
Also, check to see how long the agency has been in business and read reviews. If you read a string of bad reviews, you’ll want to look elsewhere. It’s also a good idea to ask friends and family. Word-of-mouth recommendations from people you know can be extremely helpful when narrowing down your home health care choices.
Communication
You want to work with a home health care agency that will constantly communicate about services, costs, and progress. Your providers should communicate effectively with you and your loved ones about the care and the plan for the future.
Questions to Ask About Home Health Care
As you consider these factors, there are also questions you’ll want to ask as you search for a home health care agency.
How do you assess patient’s needs?
Be aware of what types of assessments are done to ensure that patients constantly receive the proper care.
How often will the care plan be reviewed and updated?
You need to know how often the care plan will be reviewed because a patient’s condition can suddenly change. You want to ensure that caregivers look at the care plan regularly and update it when needed.
Do team members complete background checks?
It is extremely important that team members complete background checks since they will be inside the home. You want to know that anyone spending time inside the home has been properly vetted and is determined not to pose a threat.
Is there anyone on call if an issue arises outside of normal business hours?
Ask about the response rate and if staff is available to answer questions outside of normal business hours. We all know emergencies and questions can come up at any time. Knowing you can receive an educated answer can be reassuring as you choose a home health care agency.
What are your costs and payment options?
Cost does play a role in deciding which home health care agency to use. Ask about costs and payment options to ensure the care is affordable.
Are You Looking for Home Health Care? Contact Aleca Home Health Services
If you’re looking for home health care in Arizona, Oregon, or Washington, Aleca Home Health Services is here to help. We provide a wide variety of home health services, such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, wound care, skilled nursing, and much more. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how they can help you or a loved one.
Sources:
- https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/caregiving/types-of-home-health-care-services
- https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/home-health-services
Dan is Vice President, Marketing of the Alumus family of companies. A Seattle native, he earned his BA in Humanities and Political Science at Evergreen State College. He started his career as a newspaper columnist, eventually transitioning into marketing and tech writing for Microsoft and several other startups. He later launched a successful creative agency focused on branding, digital marketing, and content production in Los Angeles, where he worked for several nursing and behavioral health clients, eventually becoming the National Marketing Director for one of them.
He has taught Vipassana mindfulness meditation and MBSR and spends whatever free time he has with his son snowboarding, hiking, and camping in the mountains.