Healthy aging: Over 50 (12)
- DHEA: Evidence for anti-aging claims is weak
- Sexual health and aging: Keep the passion alive
- Senior sex: Tips for older men
- see all in Healthy aging: Over 50
Healthy retirement (6)
- Memory loss: 7 tips to improve your memory
- Driver safety: Top 7 tips for older drivers
- Aging: What to expect as you get older
- see all in Healthy retirement
Dependent seniors (1)
- Home care services: Questions to ask
Mayo Clinic Health Manager
Get free personalized health guidance for you and your family.
Get Started
About our e-newsletters
- Free e-newsletters
- Mayo Clinic expertise
- We do not share your e-mail address
Housecall, our weekly general-interest e-newsletter, keeps you up to date on a wide variety of health topics with timely, reliable, practical information, recipes, blogs, questions and answers with Mayo Clinic experts and more. Our biweekly topic-specific e-newsletters also include blogs, questions and answers with Mayo Clinic experts, and other useful information that will help you manage your health.
Housecall Archives
Mayo Clinic Housecall
Stay up to date on the latest health information.
What you get
- Free weekly e-newsletter
- Mayo Clinic expertise
- Recipes, tools and other helpful information
- We do not share your e-mail address
continued:
Home care services: Questions to ask
Costs
If you're considering a home care services agency:
- How does the agency handle expenses and billing? Ask for literature explaining all services and fees, as well as detailed explanations of all the costs associated with home care.
- Will agency fees be covered by health insurance or Medicare? Find out what arrangements may be in place for specific health insurance plans.
- What resources does the agency provide to help with financial assistance, if needed? For instance, is a payment plan option available?
If you're considering a home health aide:
- How much does the aide charge for home health services? Make sure you're comfortable with the fees and the included services.
- Does the aide require payment for sick days, vacation days or holidays? If so, clarify how many sick and vacation days are allowed, as well as which days are considered holidays.
Understanding services
Whether you're considering a home care services agency or a home health aide, you might ask the same questions about services:
- Will you receive a written care plan before service begins? The care plan should include details about medical equipment and specific care needs, and it should be updated frequently. Such documentation can help prevent misunderstandings.
- Will you receive a list of the rights and responsibilities of all parties involved? This is sometimes known as a patient's bill of rights.
- Will the agency provide you or your loved one with the services of nurses or therapists? Will the agency work directly with you or your loved one, family members and health care providers?
- Must you identify a primary family caregiver? If so, what's required of that person?
- Are there any limits on the types of tasks performed? If so, what are the limits?
- When will service be provided? Is care available round-the-clock, if necessary?
- What procedures are in place for emergencies? Ask how the agency or home health aide will go about delivering services in the event of a power failure or natural disaster.
- How are problems addressed and resolved? Who can you or another family member contact with requests, questions or complaints?
- How quickly can services begin?
Monitor your home care services
After you've found a home care services provider, monitor the situation. If you're concerned about the care or services provided, discuss it promptly with the agency or home health aide. If necessary, involve your doctor or your loved one's doctor as well.
Previous page(2 of 2)
- How do I hire a home care employee? National Family Caregiver Support Program. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. http://www.aoa.gov/prof/aoaprog/caregiver/carefam/taking_care_of_others/wecare/hire.aspx. Accessed March 6, 2009.
- What should I ask when considering a home care agency? American Cancer Society. http://www.cancer.org/docroot/ETO/content/ETO_2_5X_What_Should_I_Ask_When_Considering_a_Home_Care_Agency.asp?sitearea=ETO. Accessed March 6, 2009.
- What is home health care? U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. http://www.eldercare.gov/Eldercare.NET/Public/Resources/fact_sheets/home_care.aspx. Accessed March 6, 2009.
- Selecting a healthcare provider. The Joint Commission. http://www.jointcommission.org/GeneralPublic/Choices/hc_ome.htm. Accessed April 2, 2009.
- Takahashi PY (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. April 8, 2009.
