When talking about home health, most of you concern about what is best for you and what you are looking for. Home health care is not the same as home care; home health care requires a doctor’s order, and is provided by trained professionals who are monitored and managed through the agency you hire.

Sometimes you might find yourself paying too much for poor care. As a customer, you should take an active role on planning your care before you leave the hospital.

How to Find the Right Care:

• Discuss with your doctor, hospital discharge planner or geriatric care manager on several options, not just one. Many hospitals have a resource guide for home health care they can give you.
• Ask your friends or support group members for recommendations.
• Ask if it’s licensed by the state, certified by Medicare and by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of HealthCare Organizations. Certification is no guarantee of quality, but it’s an indicator.
• How adequate is the home assessment performed by the home health company? Talk to the representatives about your needs and what support you can expect from family and friends.
• Know what you are looking for. Do you need a registered nurse or a home-health aide? How many times a week? Will care be strictly medical, or will someone help you with chores? How much of the treatment will you or a family member have to learn and perform?
• Check for the most affordable price for you and what additional services are included.
• How confidential is the agency? Is it a trustworthy agency? Does it has a guaranteed response time?, and if it lives up to its word.
• What services does the agency provide?
• Do they have worker’s compensation insurance?
• Besides the caregiver’s rate, what other costs are involved?
• Find and interview at least two agencies, and have a training day for the designated caregiver to see how good can the caregiver perform the tasks

Being a good patient

• Know what is and isn’t covered by your health insurance. The home health agency will provide what is covered. Know what you paid for and don’t expect more than that.
• Treat the caregivers with respect and follow their instructions.
• Be patient.
• Become part of the process. Ask questions when you don’t understand something.
• Don’t expect miraculous recoveries.
• Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
• Make sure you are proactive about keeping the lines of communication open.
• Know whom you should contact at the agency to help you resolve the problem.

Source: http://www.seniorhomes.com/p/home-health-care-providers/