Staying Satisfied With Home Health Care Services

Many home health companies provide staff at their own convenience, not at the convenience of the patient and his or her family. That’s why we believe that a family first must decide what they need, and then must find a company able and willing to accommodate them, because after all, what good does home health care do if the family’s needs aren’t met?

Today, we’ll expand on an earlier post in hopes of giving you a better idea of what to look out for when seeking a home health care service provider.

The below info is adapted from the Minnesota Board of Aging. And as a side note–Minnesota ranks No. 1 in the U.S. in terms of senior health, with Iowa and Nebraska not far behind.

Here are a few key points to ensure that you stay satisfied with your home health care service provider:

• Have realistic expectations.When it comes to home health care workers performing their daily tasks, being flexible as a family is important. For example, if a loved one’s morning routine changes regularly, it’s best to inform each new employee of your preferences to ensure transparecy. Keep in mind that arrival times may differ from day to day–health care workers often have busy schedules and arriving at the exact same time every day may not be possible.
• Reschedule provided services. Personal scheduling conflicts are inevitable every now and then when working with a home health care worker. As such, it’s important to inform the provider or agency as soon as possible if things are changing, so that alternative servies can be provided or schedules can be changed. Have someone on backup who can call your loved one’s provider in case you’re tied up, and make sure they’re verified with the company so they can be your contact in the event of an emergency.
• Know who to contact. Most agencies use a case manager–a person who is responsible for implementing and monitoring the client’s service agreement, and troubleshooting if a conflict occurs. Make sure you know who the case manager is, and be ready to contact him or her directly if you decide that there are any changes you would like to make to your health care services. Talking to other staff members instead of directly contacting who’s in charge can lead to confusion or misenterpretaion.
• Have an emergency plan. Agency employees are instructed to call their office or 911 when they observe a client having a medical emergency. Hospice employees are given specific instructions on how to handle emergencies. A self-employed home care worker may not know your preferences in the event of an emergency, so be sure to map out a plan so that you’re prepared in case the unexpected happens.
• Plan out liability. Agencies usually have insurance to cover the repair or replacement of an item accidentally broken by an employee. If such an incident occurs, inform the case manager as soon as possible. In most cases, though, you’ll need to resolve the incident together with the worker involved. In that case, writing out a section about broken items in your initial contract could be an important point.

Home health care can be a stressful affair, but keeping up on the listed points is a good way to ensure that you stay satisfied with your loved one’s home health care provider. Planning for emergencies and knowing what to expect is key to satisfaction on both ends of the bargain.

What are some other ways to ensure satisfaction with your home health care provider? Let us know on Twitter or in the comments.

Physicians Choice Private Duty currently serving Omaha, Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa provides seniors and their families a complete understanding of geriatric care options and helps families maneuver through the challenges of the system. Get your free Cost Comparison guide by clicking here . Or contact us for a free consultation or just to say hello!