How to work with a home care nursing agency

Home care nursing agencies are designed to allow patients to receive quality care while staying at home. This is a welcomed alternative to staying in an institution, hospital or long-term health care facility for many patients. Patients should be aware that they have choices when it comes to the agency that provides home nursing services. They also should take steps to prepare for their home health care treatments.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Discharge papers
• Pertinent medical documents
• Insurance cards
• Medications
• Notebook and file folder
• Calendar
• Writing instrument
• Telephone

Choosing a Home Healthcare Agency

1. Explore your options by becoming familiar with the various home care nursing agency organizations in your area. Your local hospital is a great place to start. However, it is important to remember that this resource is not your only option. You may find another health service provider that suits your specific needs better than the one affiliated with your hospital.

2. Ask questions. Discuss your various home health care nursing agency options with your physician. This meeting can help you determine why you require home health services and it is an excellent time to address any issues or concerns.

3. Meet with your discharge planner. This individual is well-versed in the options available in your area. She can also help you find home nursing agencies that accept your insurance.

4. Discuss your options with loved ones as well. Your friends and family can have very valuable input, especially if they have first-hand experience with home health care services.

5. 
    

   Narrow your choices to two or three home health care agencies. Take a few moments to fully evaluate your options. Determine which nursing agency is best suited to address your specific needs. Balance key factors including insurance and the agency's reputation.

6. Organize your information. This includes the type of health care services you will be receiving. Common services include nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy and psychological assessment, among others. Knowing what to expect at your first visit is very important.

7. Make sure that you keep copies of your discharge papers with you when you leave the hospital or institution. Become familiar with the information on these forms and store them in a safe but readily available space.

8. Request detailed contact information about your chosen home health nursing agency. This information should be kept in a convenient place as well.

Preparing for the Initial Visit

9. Have important documents concerning your home nursing care treatment readily available. These include your discharge papers, insurance cards and any medications that you currently take. Make sure that you have the name of the staff member that will be visiting with you as well as any additional staff that may arrive.

10. 
     

    Take a proactive approach to your home health care services. Have a list of questions and concerns readily available for review. Common questions can cover topics including your schedule and who to contact in the event of a cancellation. Review your goals as well as the specific interventions that will be used to help you achieve the objectives.

11. Take notes. The staff member will appreciate your effort to stay organized. Include important information including your scheduled visits, the interventions and the expected outcome. You should have a strong knowledge-base of what activities and therapies you will have.

12. Mark down your scheduled visits on a calendar in advance. It helps to be flexible with the schedule. Home health care providers are required to travel quite a bit. Times may vary by a few minutes.

13. Allow yourself to relax before each visit. It is unnecessary to clean, groom and prepare snacks for the staff. This is not a social encounter. The home health care provider is concerned with your specific needs and the necessary interventions required to meet your goals. He is not there to evaluate your housekeeping skills.

14. Clearly communicate any concerns or discomfort with the staff member. Feel free to contact her supervisor with any questions or concerns. Make sure to communicate with your primary care physician as well. Keep your regular appointments with your doctor. Discuss any worries about the interventions, staff members and your goals with the agency. Follow up with your primary care physician as well.

Tips & Warnings

• Determine whether or not the home health care agency accepts your insurance.
• Check with the Better Business Bureau to help evaluate the agency's reputation.
• Your home care provider may have difficulty arriving on time every shift.
• Request identification on the initial visit.
• Avoid canceling appointments for frivolous reasons.
• Do not select an agency that is not licensed.
• Your home health care agency is not a replacement for your primary care physician.

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[Aronna]

on 5/21/2008 Great article! This is very useful information.