Understanding Home Care
Home care is the fastest growing segment of the healthcare industry. Some of the factors driving this expansion are a growing elderly population, preference of individuals to receive services in the comfort of their own home, and the need to control health care costs. At Nursing Services, Inc., located in East Hartford, CT., we offer high-quality medical services in the Greater Hartford area and surrounding towns. Our caregivers and home health aides are highly qualified and comprehensive background-checked and we are accredited by The Joint Commission.
The Highest Standard in Home Care in the Greater Hartford Area
What is Home Care?
Home care is a cost-effective alternative to extended hospital and nursing home stays. Home care services can be provided through independently owned providers or providers associated with hospitals, nursing homes or public health departments. A team of skilled professionals provides specialized medical care and support services in the patient’s home under a physician’s direction. Services may include skilled nursing care, special therapy, and assistance with personal care. Physicians often request home care after hospitalization or after a period of general mental instability. Selecting a home care provider is the personal choice of the patient or caregiver, so it is important to know about the services the home care agency provides.
How to Choose a Home Care Agency
The following are questions you should ask home care agencies or individuals familiar with home care, to help you decide which agency is best for you or your loved one.
- First, find out how long the agency has been serving the community.
- Is the agency State-licensed? Medicare/Medicaid-certified? Accredited by
The Joint Commission or Community Health Accreditation Program (CHAP)
- Does the agency support your medical insurance or your long-term care
insurance?
- Does the agency supply literature describing its services, eligibility
requirements, fees and payment plan options? Many agencies furnish patients with a detailed “Patient Bill of Rights” that outlines the rights and responsibilities of the agencies, patients and caregivers alike.
- How long will you have to wait for services after requesting a visit?
- Will the agency inform you of your financial responsibilities, in writing, prior
to giving care?
- How does the agency select and train its employees? Do the employees
work directly for the agency? Does the agency perform background checks (i.e., Police & Drug)?
- Do nurses or therapists evaluate and coordinate the patient’s home care
needs? If so, what does this involve? Do they consult the patient’s physician and family members?
- Does the agency include the patient and his/her family members in
developing the plan of care? Are they involved in making care plan changes?
- Does the agency supervise the staff?
- Who can the patient and his/her family members call with
questions/concerns/complaints? How does the agency follow up and resolve these issues?
- What procedures does the agency have in place to handle emergencies? Are
its caregivers available 24 hours a day, seven days a week? How does the agency ensure patient confidentiality?
How to Obtain Home Care Services
- Your physician, nurse or discharge planner can refer you to NSI.
- You or your family can call NSI directly.
- Our specialists will help in determining eligibility for Medicare, Medicaid,
private insurance or other third-party payers.
- NSI files all claims and processes on all paperwork.
- NSI can meet all of your needs with one phone call! Call (860) 568-8881.
Reasons to Choose Home Care
- Home care allows for early discharge from hospitals and prevents or postpones institutionalization.
- Home care is personalized one-to-one care, tailored to the needs of each individual, allowing maximum freedom for the client.
- Home care can be cost-effective when compared to hospital or nursing home care.
- Home care supplements the family’s resources and efforts in caring for loved ones at home, keeping families together. Home care allows individuals to remain
independent in their own homes.
For excellence in-home care for yourself or your loved one, choose Nursing Services, Inc. Contact us today at (860) 568-8881. If you would like to join our mission, take a look at our career opportunities !