If
you decide to pursue a community program or in-home service, there
are some steps you can follow to help make the best possible choice.
Finding a quality service provider can be confusing and time consuming.
To begin the process, it is important to explore the reputation
of each provider you consider.
The
following should be considered:
- Determine
if the NJ Department of Health and Senior Services currently
licenses the agency or provider. Find out if the agency is Medicare-certified
or accredited. Some funding sources will reimburse for services
only if the provider is certified or accredited.
- Ask
how long the agency has been in business or ask for references
from people who are currently receiving services.
- Inquire
about how the services will be paid for, and how often the agency
bills its clients.
In addition, the following checklist will help you determine the
suitability of each provider to adequately meet your needs. This
is a very broad checklist that should be used at your discretion.
Not all of the questions will apply to each provider, but in general
it should offer a good basis, whether you are investigating, for
example, a home health care agency or an adult medical day services
center.
Credibility
- Is
the agency or organization (provider) approved or licensed?
- How
long has the provider been serving the community?
- How
does the provider ensure the quality of the service it supplies?
- How
does the provider evaluate the skills and abilities of its staff?
- How
are client rights protected?
Services
- What
kind of services does the provider specifically offer? Do they
offer the services that you need?
- When
is the staff on duty? Are they on-site or available 24
hours a day, 7 days a week, on holidays, or over the weekend?
- Are
clients asked to evaluate employee performance and other factors
such as courtesy and behavior?
- How
are emergencies handled?
Health
Care (if applicable)
- Will
there be a care plan developed and can families and clients
help decide this plan of care?
- Does
the provider teach family members or caregivers about the type
of care being provided?
Staff
- Who
is the executive director, supervisor or administrator of the
provider organization and what are his or her qualifications?
- Whom
can a client call if he or she has a problem or complaint?
- What
type of training have the staff members received?
- Have
there been any background and reference checks completed on
the employees?
- Are
the staff members trained in specialty care required by the
clients, such as Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, or depression?
- What
happens if the staff member assigned to my care is not available
or does not show up for a scheduled appointment?
- Will
the provider be in contact with the other services that clients
are receiving, such as their primary care physician or specialist?
- Does
the provider ensure that the staff members are professionally
licensed and insured?
Cost
- What
are the charges or costs for the services or supplies required
for client care?
- Are
there any financial assistance programs that can help cover
the cost of services? How do potential clients apply for them?
- Will
Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance cover any costs?
- Will
the provider arrange funding assistance for the cost of the
care received?
- Does
the provider present all financial arrangements in writing with
a copy for the client?
- What
policy does the provider have to inform clients if services
are to be canceled? What is the policy for clients to cancel
services with the provider?
In
recent years, the availability of home and community-based services
has increased dramatically. Since there are a variety of services
and programs to choose from it is important to know: what options
exist in your community, how these services can be paid for, and
what care is specifically offered by each provider. The answers
to these questions will help you find the service provider that
will best meet your individual needs or the needs of your loved
one.
Return to Top
|
