After working for a Home Care Company I can up with a few very important questions that many people never ask when inquiring about services. These questions can help you get started in your search.

Home Care Agency Qualification Questions:
Is the agency accredited by a governing agency such as The Joint Commission’s Home Care Accreditation Program?

How does the agency protect client confidentiality?
What are the credentials of the providers?

How long has the agency been in business?

Can the agency provide references?

Is the agency licensed by the state?

Is the agency certified by Medicare?

A recent study done by Cloumbia University found a number of hazardous conditions in home healthcare settings. These conditions are of special concern to both the elderly and their caretakers. More than 700 home healthcare RNs in New York City responded to the survey.

Th noted hazardous conditions identified in the survey included animal hair, excessive dust, mold, cigarette smoke and dampness. Rat, mouse or other vermin sightings were also reported. Poor housekeeping, which could increase the risk of infection, was also a common observation. Nearly 70% of home healthcare patients are 65 years or older, according to the report.

A total of 44% of RNs reported that their patients live in urban settings, and 40% of nurses reported feeling threatened or uncomfortable by a patient’s neighborhood.

The report appears in the Journal of Patient Safety, and was co-funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

A number of factors affect the cost of home care services for seniors, including location, competition and the economy. In addition, the fees are also based on the skill level of service you need and want. Homemakers, personal care assistants and companions will all cost less (around $10 - $17 per hour )than home health aides or skilled nursing care (around $15-24 per hour) . Live-in care is usually priced by the day or week rather than hourly, and can run as high as $250 per day or more through agencies in some parts of the country.

Also keep in mind that these servies usually require a minimum of 4 hours of service! It is nearly impossible to find a company that will have someone that will come in just to shower a client or make them dinner. Be sure to ask this on your search!

Finding a home care provider

Research is key when looking into finding a home care provider. You can search privately or go through a home care agency. To locate agencies or private providers, check with any or all of the following resources:
 

• Internet Search for home care providers in your area. I recommened searching your city along with home care for seniors for your keywords.
• Check your Yellow Page listings for Senior Services, Home Care
• Area Agency on Aging (Call 1-800-677-1116 for the AAA in your area)
• Local community and senior organizations
•  Religious affiliations including churches and synagogues
• Doctor or hospital referrals from your care recipient’s medical affiliations
  Agencies. These agencies may or may not be state licensed, but they select and supervise their own personnel, and are liable for any staff or care problems that arise.
• Friends. Referrals from people you know who have used an agency or individual for their relative are one of the best sources of trusted help. Ask around.
• The Eldercare Locator, a service of the U.S. government, has an online database of senior service agencies.

Do not hire and independent worker! Though they may be less expensive they are typcally not insured, licensed or bonded!

Making the decision for ongoing home care is a challenge for families. After a fmaily memeber tries to provide care themselves, they finally decide to reach out and hire outside help. What they do not need is a new situation worse than the first.

Selecting a home care provider.

Some people rely on a referral. But just because a caregiver worked out for the someone does not assure a good outcome for you. Interview the caregiver, check recent work references and pay attention to how you feel about her or him.

Many families prefer to use a referral agency or a company that provides its own employees because they want the benefit of a criminal background check and professional oversight. If you contact such a company, make sure it answers all your questions and leaves you feeling impressed, confident and relieved to be in its hands. Ask about its background; is it in nursing or social work? Understand the pricing and written service agreement.

Setting the stage. Observe how a potential caregiver relates to your loved one. A good caregiver should make you feel comfortable and give you peace of mind.

The 10 questions to ask before hiring a home care agency:
1. Is your agency licensed?

2. How long have you been in business?

3. Are your caregivers employees or Independent Contractors?

4. Is your agency insured and bonded?

5. What are you fees forlevels of care?

6. How do you screen your caregivers?

7. How do you match a caregiver with a prospective client?

8. If I’m unhappy with a caregiver will you find a replacement?

9. Will you provide references I can call?

10. How do you manage and monitor your caregivers?

Goldman Sachs Urban Investment Group and health care- focused MBF Healthcare Partners have purchased  Omni Home Care LLC, a provider of skilled nursing and therapy-based services.

Goldman Sachs Urban Investment Group and MBF, which will own equal stakes in Omni, used some senior debt financing from Wachovia Corp. (WB) and ORIX Finance Corp., which lends to health-care deals. Other terms weren’t disclosed.

Goldman Sachs Urban Investment Group, which typically invests in companies owned or operated by ethnic minorities or serving markets with large minority populations, liked the opportunity because of Omni’s focus on markets such as Florida with a significant Hispanic population, said William Gonzalez, a vice president with the firm. In addition, the majority of the investment team of co- investor MBF Healthcare is of Hispanic descent

The LA Times reported on Monday that seniors may save money by remaining in their home as they age.

Below are the reported cost averages:

*Average national cost per year of private-room nursing-home care: $77,745*

* Average national base rate per year of assisted-living care: $35,628**

* Average cost per year of one hour per day of home healthcare provided by a licensed practical nurse: $13,468***

* Average cost per year of one hour per day of care provided by a home health aide: $6,916***

*Average nursing home costs in Southern California are closer to $100,000 per year.

**As much as several hundred dollars per month may be added for such services as diabetic care, medication management or additional meals.

***For total costs under these scenarios, housing and living expenses should be factored in.

Source: MetLife, AARP,LA TIMES