Try: Below is a list of additional questions you might want to ask a home care agency before deciding to hire one to provide hospice care what other resources does the agency provide to help you find financial assistance if it is needed are standard payment plan options available does the agency have written statements describing services eligibility criteria costs and payment procedures employee job descriptions malpractice and liability insurance does handling of payment and billing seem reasonable is agency in good financial health does the facility follow generally accepted accounting procedures check with the better business bureau local consumer bureau or the state attorney general general’s office is the agency accredited by nationally recognized accrediting bodies such as the jcaho joint commission on accreditation of healthcare organizations or chap community health accreditation program or other accreditation bodies if you are not certain whether your loved one qualifies for hospice how flexible are they regarding an assessment to help clarify these issues or help you decide whether you even want hospice care are there references on file for home care employees ask how many references the agency requires two or more should be required ask whether the caregivers are licensed and bonded as this is a national requirement how quickly can the hospice initiate services and what are its specific geographic area is served check to see if patient changes locations that care will still be accessible does the agency train supervise and provide ongoing in-services for caregivers who makes supervisory visits and how often supervisory visits should be made by nurses does the agency create a plan of care tailored to each patient patient’s needs does the care-planning process include family caregivers and any other members of health team ask how often does agency send a nurse to the patient patient’s home to review the care being given to the patient and actually updates care plan to fit patient changing needs is the plan of care written out with schedule of specific duties and work hours days to be provided by agency does the hospice require a designated family primary caregiver as a requirement of admission and what responsibility is expected of the family caregiver what additional help can the hospice provide to supplement the family caregivers regarding work schedules child care obligations travel and other responsibilities if the patient lives alone what other options can the hospice suggest or offer are volunteer services available through the agency what is the procedure for after hour emergencies is 24 hr on-call service available and will necessary home visits be made after hours who can you call with questions or complaints about a patient patient’s care what is the procedure for resolving issues does the hospice offer rehab services such as pt ot st dieticians respiratory therapists and social workers grief counselors does the hospice provide medical equipment to enhance the patient patient’s quality of life and help them maintain independence do they have access to any donated resources for supplies and equipment if financial resources limited or not covered by healthcare insurance information references "hospice " available at www carepathways com
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Categories: Sage, Topic, Caregiver Needs&Support, Financial, Medical Physical
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Keywords: Home care agency home hospice checklist interview hiring help
*This information is listed as a Fact Sheet and is not explicitly medically licensed