Family - Selecting a Home Care or Hospice Provider
Choosing a Provider
The Indiana Association for Home & Hospice Care (IAHHC) is the voice of Indiana's home & hospice care providers. Our mission is "to advance the cause of home health, hospice, and personal care services through leadership, advocacy, and education."
We represent all of home care: traditional home health nursing services, home-based and inpatient hospice care, and "private duty" home care - including non-medical services that allow Hoosiers to remain independent in their own homes. IAHHC members have gone the extra mile to provide the very best home & hospice care services, and collectively spend thousands of hours a year in IAHHC training and education sessions.
Questions to Ask
The Indiana Association for Home & Hospice Care (IAHHC) is the voice of Indiana's home & hospice care providers. Our mission is "to advance the cause of home health, hospice, and personal care services through leadership, advocacy, and education."
We represent all of home care: traditional home health nursing services, home-based and inpatient hospice care, and "private duty" home care - including non-medical services that allow Hoosiers to remain independent in their own homes. IAHHC members have gone the extra mile to provide the very best home & hospice care services, and collectively spend thousands of hours a year in IAHHC training and education sessions.
Questions to Ask
- How does the agency screen and select caregivers prior to an assignment?
- Are references checked and criminal background and/or drug screens conducted on caregivers?
- Is there a health care professional, who along with the client and family develops an individualized plan of care or service plan?
- How are emergencies handled after normal business hours?
- How often are caregiver services monitored?
- Does the home care or hospice provider conduct supervisory visits to the client's home?
- Does the home care or hospice provider adhere to state and federal guidelines in their employment practices, such as: withholding appropriate taxes, providing workers’ compensation and other benefits?
- Does the home care or hospice provider follow defined ethical guidelines? What is their policy to assure the rights of patients?
- Whenever possible, ask to meet with the prospective caregiver(s) before they are assigned to provide care. This will provide a good opportunity to interact with the caregiver prior to an assignment. If you are not satisfied with the caregiver, this is a good time to let the agency know.