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.
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
