FINDING THE RIGHT HOMECARE HELP YOU NEED -- Five questions to ask when seeking homecare services --

Most people want to live out their golden years at home and as the population ages it is safe to say that many, at some point, will face this stage in life. That statement is backed up by the U.S. Census Bureau’s statistics that found that in 15 years 19% of the U.S. population or 72M will be 65 years of age. [i] It’s common sense that many of those seniors will require the help from homecare, assisted living or a nursing home, which will require important decisions to be made.

“There are services today that offer assistance to people with health issues no matter their age who can and want to stay in their home. The challenge is finding the right situation and person for the individual,” said Sandy Fromm, Administrator of Personal-Touch Home Health Services of New Jersey. “When faced with this situation – either for oneself or a loved one – there are important things to consider to ensure that the right care is found for the circumstance.”

Remember this is part of life’s journey and once you are at this point begin with these basic questions.

· Will home care offer the services needed? The type of care required depends on the individual’s medical condition. Consider medications taken and frequency, physical condition, ability to live alone with help or needing constant care. Are their needs for special equipment, e.g., wheelchair, walker, cane, oxygen, glucometers (for checking blood sugar) or hospital bed.

· Who decides the services needed (doctor, etc.), and will a care plan be created? Talk with the individual’s doctor, healthcare professional or a social worker. Accredited homecare agencies can answer your questions too. A plan of care should be developed outlining the scope of services.

· Is the homecare agency and staff accredited and certified? Accreditation is important so one knows that the homecare company is up to snuff, and the care provider in the private home, at an assisted living community or nursing home is licensed, bonded, insured, and trained.

· What is the scope of services available through the homecare agency? (skilled nursing and/or non-skilled services) This process starts with a meeting with the person needing care and a family member/caregiver to assess the situation. In most cases a registered nurse handles the visit, devises a care plan and schedule. Services run the gamut from medication management to personal care and light housekeeping. The scope of service will determine who administers the service, e.g., registered nurse (skilled), Certified Home Health Aides/non-skilled), therapists, etc.

· Will insurance cover homecare services? Under some circumstances insurance may cover some of the fees. Fees for services may also be covered by long-term health insurance, private insurance, Medicaid, Medicare, and/or Veteran’s benefits.

Fromm added, “Deciding on homecare services can be one of the hardest decisions you make in life either for yourself or a loved one, but today there are many options and specialists capable to provide guidance. Most every community has senior services that can help you get started. Help for this is just a phone call away.”

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Contact:
Vickie Bello, Sr. Marketing Rep., vbello@pthomecare.com, 201-532-9888
Sandy Fromm, Administrator, Personal-Touch, sfromm@pthomecare.com

[i] Projections are based on Census 2000 data. SOURCE Federal Interagency Forum on Aging-Related Statistics, Older Americans 2012: Key Indicators of Well Being, Washington, DC, 2012.

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