First-Care Management Educates the Youth

First-Care Managment educates second grade class in Somers, New York on home care. Topics include: What is Home Care. Who are the potenital clients that could receive home care. Finally, how a patient is admitted to a home care agency and much more...

Health Fair Events

First Care of New York Inc., will be hosting Health Fairs at our Brooklyn Office:
(located at 833 Flatbush Ave, On linden Blvd.)

July 24th, 2009, Friday from 10am – 2pm
August 8th, 2009, Saturday from 10am-2pm
August 15th, 2009, Saturday from 10am-2pm
August 25th, 2009, Tuesday from 10am-2pm

(For more information about the events, call 718-364-7251 and speak to our Outreach coordinator.)

Hope and Possibility 5M Walk for "Fight Against Cancer" Fundraising

First Care of New York is taking part in the "Hope & Possibility 5M" walk on June 28, 2009 at Central Park, New York to raise money for the "Fight Against Cancer". All donations will be greatly appreciated for the fight against cancer. You can donate money by visiting our Firstgiving page at www.firstgiving.com/firstcareofny-millennium
You can donate online with a credit card. All donations are secure and sent directly to Achilles Track Club by Firstgiving, who will email you a printable record of your donation.
Thanks for all of your support.
Regards
First Care of New York, Inc.

Home Care Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is home care?

The scope of home care is very broad, and it is much more than care for the elderly. The term "home health care" is often used to refer to skilled clinical treatments such as the services of a registered nurse or physical therapist. In fact, the term "home care" is a more apt description of the range of both medical and supportive services designed to bolster the post-actue, chronically ill, disabled and elderly populations that home care providers serve.

For many people, home care is homemaking, personal care or nutrition and hygiene and adaptive devices to prevent slips and falls. Receiving this type of assistance in the home is as important to the daily living activities of these people as sophisticated health technologies delivered at home.

Who needs home care?

A wide variety of people of any age benefit from and receive care at home. This includes those discharged from hospitals who frequently need short-term care as they recover at home. Among the older population, most prefer to remain at home as long as they can and receiving assistance with daily living activities allows them to do so for far longer than would be possible if they had no help. Younger adults who are disabled can choose care at home and generally prefer to receive care in this manner. Today's medical and technolology advances allow chronically ill children to benefit from sophisticated medical treatment in their homes.

Who pays for home care services?

Home care services are paid for through a variety of sources, including the Federal Medicare program, private health insurance, and New York State's Medicaid home care programs. Other options include purchasing long-term care insurance and many people choose to purchase home care services privately. For more home care payment information, visit Home Care Payment Options.

Who do I call to get started?

" First Care of New York, Inc. - 718-364-7251 provide services to Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island and Westchester County."

HCP recommends that you contact any of our members and review your specific situation. The agency will explain the services they offer and help you decide if they are the right agency for you. HCP member agencies all sign a statement of purpose and values pledging to "hold ourselves to the highest standards of conduct." Most are either licensed or certified by New York State and many are also accredited by independent accrediting organizations. To locate an agency that provides services in your area, visit our Find a Provider search directory. Most counties in New York have an Office for the Aging that can help you understand what options are available when you are looking for care for the elderly.

How do I select the right agency?

Each individual situation is unique and requires an assessment based on many factors. It is most important to remember that patients and their families have choices when selecting care options. For information about choosing the right agency, visit How to Choose a Home Care Agency.

What is Hospice?

Hospice provides care and support for the terminally ill. The goal of Hospice is to ease the pain and suffering of these individuals so that they may live out their life lives as comfortably as possible. Hospice also offers support services for the families of the terminally ill.

How to Choose a Home Care Agency

It's your choice

Health care situations are as different and individual as
each person. When faced with making a health care decision for yourself or your
loved one, it is important to remember that you have choices. Even if a medical
professional or hospital personnel recommend institutional care, you can and
should explore all your options. The decision about care is ultimately
yours.

Is a home care agency the right choice?

There are many times to consider home care, which can be the right choice for a wide range of health care services.

• Patients of any age being discharged from the hospital who need short-term care to recover.
• Disabled children or adults can choose to receive care at home.
• Chronically ill children or adults can benefit from sophisticated medical treatment in their homes.
• Older adults, disabled or chronically ill people who need both skilled care or personal care assistance to help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, cooking and shopping.

Choosing hospice and palliative care

If someone has been diagnosed with a terminal illness, contact your local Hospice or home care agency that provides palliative care. The goal of Hospice and palliative care agencies is to ease suffering and to ensure that the person lives out his/her life as comfortably as possible. These agencies also provide essential support for families of the terminally ill.

Where do I begin in selecting an agency?

" First Care of New York, Inc. provide services to Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island and Westchester County."

It can seem intimidating to begin searching for an agency, but knowing how to begin can make the process much easier. Here are some simple steps to follow when searching for an agency.

• Gather all the information you can about the person in need of care including existing care, previous care, and any pertinent information about the existing situation.
• Contact one or more home care agencies near where the person lives or where you want to care to be given.
• HCP has many member agencies that are highly qualified and can provide a wide range of services. You can use HCP's Find a Provider search function to help you find an agency in the area where care is needed.

• Discuss the situation with each of the agencies so that you understand what your options are. Each agency should help you determine what type of care or treatment the person needs based on the situation, your family circumstances, and they will provide a nursing assessment, if appropriate.
• They should also be able to tell you about any government services or programs that fit your situation.
• They should be able to refer you to any appropriate program or service that you may need.
• Based on your conversation, you should be able to determine which agency best meets your needs. Contact them to make the appropriate arrangements for care.

Some questions to ask an agency

Although each health care situation is different and it is important to discuss your particular circumstances with each agency, there are questions you can ask each of the agencies.

• How long has the agency been in operation?
• Is the agency licensed, certified, or another type of agency?
• What counties does it serve?
• What types of services does the agency provide?
• Is the agency accredited? Professional accrediting means that an agency has met established standards set by the NYS Department of Health.
• Will the agency provide you with written brochures or materials describing its services, fees, policies and procedures?
• Are services available on the weekends and at night?
• What is the role of the family in the care?
• How does the agency handle emergency situations?
• Will the agency do an in-person assessment of the patient, and if so, when