Home Care everyone has a different spin on what homecare is. I can tell you there are many services stating that they are a home care service and mis represent what they offer. Here is some clarification:
Non Medical Home Care Agencies:
These agencies are licensed or registered by the department of consumer protection. There is nothing they can offer that is medical, skilled, nursing services or medication management. They can ONLY offer assistance with activities of daily living. That means dressing, cooking, cleaning shopping, transportation. That's it. Nothing more than that. These agencies cannot have a licensed professional working under their license or registry.
A registry is an agency that offers the same services but the difference is their aides are not employees. That's right their not employees of the agency. They bring someone to your home that they cannot instruct or even train, they are now YOUR employee. What does that mean to you? It means you are responsible for their insurance, workmen's compensation, liability, social security taxes etc. You can choose to not cover these expenses and it would be up to the person that is now in your home to claim their earnings and pay their own taxes but you are still left with the responsibility of liability. So beware.
A VNA is a skilled agency utilized when there is a critical event. If you go to the hospital for surgery or an illness and need to have a nurse follow you when your home. They only follow you as long as you have a skill. Something for them to do for you that needs a licensed person. Once you've returned to your normal they will leave. Usually they are there 3-5 weeks.
So buyer beware. When you are in crisis it's very easy to fall prey to those agencies who tell you what you want to hear and not deliver. It's best to choose an agency with recommendations not only from clients but from other people who work with them. Don't let cost drive your decision, you do get what you pay for.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.
Sharon Gauthier
860-703-1575
or sharon@ptadvocate4u.com
