Active Minds

Home Care Services

What is Home Care?
Home Care encompasses a broad range of health, social and general assistance services that are provided to seniors in their own home. Services include:
• Meal preparation
• Companionship
• Medicine reminders
• Housekeeping
• Laundry
• Errands & Shopping
• Hygiene
• Medical or therapeutic treatment

Who Provides Home Care?
Home care providers vary by specialty and services. Some examples include:
• Homemaker and Home Care Aide Agencies—Flexible assistance with household chores and duties.
• Home Health Agencies—Medicare certified skilled care.
• Staffing and Private-duty Agencies—Nursing and other services.
• Registries—Staffing agencies for nurses and aides.
• Independent Providers—Solo practitioners.
• Pharmaceutical and Infusion Therapy Companies—Specialize in drug delivery and equipment.
• Medical Equipment & Supply Companies—Delivery, installation and training of medical equipment.
• Hospice—Home care for the terminally ill.

Choosing a Home Care Provider: Questions to Ask
• How long has this provider been serving the community?
• What services are provided?
• What are the eligibility requirements, fees, and funding sources?
• How does the provider select and train its employees? Are they licensed?
• Is the provider insured?
• Is the provider a certified home health agency?
• Who evaluates or determines care requirements?
• Is there a written plan detailing the care to be delivered? How are ongoing records kept?
• What supervision is provided of the individual care providers?
• How do they handle complaints?
• What are the emergency procedures? Is care available 24 hours a day, seven days a week?
• How does the provider ensure patient confidentiality?
• Can they supply references to talk to? Ask for a variety of references (patients, family members, doctors, discharge planners, community members). Questions for references:
    - What feedback have you received regarding this provider?
    - How frequently do you refer patients to this provider?
    - Do you have a contract with this provider? If so, what is the standard of care?
    - Can you put me in touch with patients treated by this provider who have similar cases to mine?

Resources:
• National Association for Home Care www.nahc.org
• The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization www.nhpco.org
• American Geriatrics Society Position statement on home care and related medical services.
• Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Home Health Agency Guide
• Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Search by city for Colorado home care providers.
• National Private Duty Association www.privatedutyhomecare.org