In the event of injury or illness, home health careIt is frequently preferred and statistically proven to improve healing and provide peace of mind.

How can you filter through all of the choices?

Make a list of the things you believe your loved one needs. Next, you can ask your loved one’s family doctor for referrals. Ask the social worker or nurse at your hospital for referrals if your loved has been admitted. The Internet is another good resource.

Once you’ve determined the type of care that is needed, narrow down your search to just a few agencies. Here are some questions to ask:

Services

* Service listing. Do their services cover your loved one’s needs? Are they available to answer questions about eligibility, funding options and services?

* Training and supervision. What training and certifications do the agency require for its direct care workers? How many professionals supervise the care? How often and how often do supervisors supervise caregivers on-site in order to provide proper care?

* Documentation and coordination. Do you have documentation of visits and treatments? Are family members able to access the doctor easily? Is the agency able to coordinate with the doctor?

Direct Care Providers

* Length of visits. How often and for how long does the caretaker visit? Are they available to provide care at night or weekends? Does the visit allow for time to get acquainted with the patient?

* Rotation of care. Are you providing care consistently by the same caregiver or is it being rotated between different people? What is the frequency at which care is rotated? How often does the family get notice of a proposed change?

* Accessibility. Is there regular contact between the care provider and the staff of the agency? Are they able to keep you informed about any changes in the patient’s health or care plan?

Fees

* Funding and billing. Do services fall under Medicare or Medicaid? Can they provide written costs statements? Is the care invoiced as soon as possible if payment is due?

* Special fees. Are there fees for special or extended services? Who is responsible for them Is there a way to pay for out-of-pocket expenses? Does the agency have someone who can help me explore all payment options?

Last but not least, agencies that adopt current technology are more efficient and seamless and provide better patient care. Axxess is a supporter for home healthcare and designs and implements software technology so that the care provider can concentrate on the patient and not the paperwork. Visit www.xxess.com for more information. www.axxess.com.