What mistakes to avoid when looking for home health nursing/therapy or caretakers
You can’t do it all, and when you realize that you can’t do it all you are either going to hire someone else for the task or delegate between siblings, or just let it go. Self-neglect, or neglect of a family member is not the best choice so looking at other options is a must.
Know the difference between home health nursing and in-home care. Home health nursing and in-home caretakers are two different things entirely. A professional home health nursing agency provides actual medical care and therapy by licensed nurses, or therapists, following a physician order. An in-home agency provides caretakers who deal with basic housekeeping, cooking, dressing and bathing – basic needs to maintain life in the home when these simple tasks are too challenging. Be very careful that you watch for more serious issues such as confusion regarding medications, these patients might be better served with a nursing agency in conjunction with a caretaker.
Don’t put it off. The number one mistake people make when dealing with aging and caregiving is not hiring professional care early on. There is a lot of evidence which shows using a professional caregiver – whether in home health care or adult day care – improves the psychological well-being of nonprofessional caregivers. Studies in publications like the Journal of Aging and Health have found that people often seek professional caregivers to alleviate stress and depression that results from taking care of a loved one around the clock. You didn’t sign up for this, so hire someone who has the skills and the training to do it right.
Don’t pretend to know it all. Many people neglect their own health. They don’t go to the physician even when they have life-threatening illnesses or emergencies. So, it stands to reason that people often put off asking the family physician to step in and order home health for their loved ones, or even themselves. What many people fail to realize is that home health nursing and therapy is a benefit afforded to every American when they become eligible for Medicare benefits and it is also covered by most major insurance carriers. It is a benefit most likely overlooked because it isn’t discussed as often as it should be. When there are falls, injuries, wounds, or diseases that need to be managed don’t pretend to know it all – get the physicians involved so they can write an order for home health nursing and/or therapy.
Don’t fail to do your homework. The vetting process for choosing a caregiver or agency can be intimidating, especially if a friend or family member recommended a caregiver. Just because it worked out for someone you know doesn’t mean it will for you. Don’t be afraid to ask for references, and discuss the background check process that is done for each employee at the agency. Go to www.Medicare.gov/homehealthcompare for actual performance data which is collected on each home health agency.
Don’t be an island. It’s important to periodically ask your mom or dad how things are going with their caregiver in case their needs are not being met. Or, meet with the nursing staff at the next appointment in the home and see how the interaction is between them. If you get a “funny feeling” you are probably right, and should ask questions, or start interviewing other agencies. Hopefully by being present when you are able, you can really get a feel for how care is being provided. A good home health nursing agency will always look for partners (such as a relative or close friend) to help with the medication reminders and care of homebound patients. The more people a patient has to support them, the better the outcome in most cases.
Get the right help, at the right time. Start your search now for home health agencies and caretaker agencies (remember, they are two entirely different things!) so that when the time comes you have narrowed down your search. It only takes a few minutes to do your comparisons on the Medicare website and you will have a better understanding if you start your search now. Go to www.Medicare.gov/homehealthcompare and type in your zip code and begin to compare the various agencies. Next step is to make a phone call and ask to speak to a nurse, or manager. It only takes a few minutes and you’ll be glad you did the due-diligence ahead of time.
My grandma is going to becoming home from the hospital next week.Thank you for explaining how home nurses specialize in personalized care and can help to take care of your loved ones. We are going on a cruise soon so hopefully this article can help us to ensure that my grandma does not miss her medication when we are gone.
I like how the article explains that when your parent starts working with their home health nurse, you should make sure to check in with them to see how they are liking their caregiver so you can fix the problem if there is one. My mother is going to be starting home care soon and I want to make sure she is getting all the help she needs. I will make sure to check in with her to make sure her needs are being met.
Great point! Communication is key when navigating through the many concerns when providing care. We welcome feedback from family and supportive caregivers who work closely with our LVNs and RNs. And best wishes for your mother – we hope her recovery will be swift and complete.
Yes, I agree with this opinion that When a loved one is able to receive care in the comfort of their own home, surrounded by familiar settings, it can make a world of difference for both their physical and mental health and well-being.
Can I just say what a relief to find someone who actually knows what theyre talking about on the internet. You definitely know how to bring an issue to light and make it important. More people need to read this and understand this side of the story. I cant believe youre not more popular because you definitely have the gift.