Home Health Care, Quality of Care & Costs

What is Quality of Care & Cost, when it comes to Home Health Care?

In part 1, we discussed the qualifications that any quality Home Health Care Provider or Home Health Aide should possess. In part 2, we will cover points related to “Quality of Care” & “Costs” as it relates to finding the right home health care provider.

Home care services can range from medical care to personal care, such as bathing, shopping, helping with daily household chores, etc. So, if you are considering home care services, ask these questions to choose the best home health care provider for your needs.

If you or an aging parent is recovering from a hospital stay or needs long term care for a chronic illness, surgery or fall related injury, you may be interested in home care services.

Home care services range from skilled care provided by nurses or therapists to household support, such as cleaning, cooking and running errands.

Whether you’re planning to enlist the help of a home care services registry or hire a personal home health aide, knowing what questions to ask is key to receiving quality assistance.

Below we listed information related to Quality of Care and Costs, that can assist you in your search.

A Home Health Care Providers Quality of care

If you’re considering a home care services agency:

• How does the agency hire and train caregivers? Does the agency provide continuing education?
• Are the caregivers licensed in their fields and insured?
• How closely does the agency’s supervisor evaluate the quality of home care?
• Do the agency’s employees seem friendly and helpful? Make sure you feel comfortable with the agency’s representatives.

If you’re considering a home health aide:

• Does the home health aide have a good temperament? Make sure you or your loved one feels comfortable with the home health aide.

A Home Health Care Providers Costs

If you’re considering a home care services agency:

• How does the agency handle expenses and billing? Ask for literature explaining all services and fees, as well as detailed explanations of all the costs associated with home care.
• Will agency fees be covered by health insurance or Medicare? Find out what arrangements may be in place for specific health insurance plans.
• What resources does the agency provide to help with financial assistance, if needed? For instance, is a payment plan option available?

If you’re considering a home health aide:

• How much does the aide charge for home health services? Make sure you’re comfortable with the fees and the included services.
• Does the aide require payment for sick days, vacation days or holidays? If so, clarify how many sick and vacation days are allowed, as well as which days are considered holidays.

In the final part of this series, we will discuss how you can better understand & monitor your home health services.

Feel free to leave us feedback on what other useful tips can be used to find the right home health care provider.

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