How To Choose a Home Healthcare Aide

What to Look For When Choosing Someone to Help with Your Care

(LifeWire) - If you or a loved one is struggling with the at-home portions of your health care, you may want to contact a home health agency. Home healthcare aides can help cancer patients with a variety of tasks, including everything from nutritional guidance to pain management.

What is a Home Healthcare Aide?

According to the American Cancer Society, a home healthcare aide can provide, administer and/or offer the following services:

• Physical or occupational therapy
• Dosages of chemotherapy, biologic therapy or immunotherapy
• Pain management medications, anti-vomiting medications and antibiotics, if necessary
• Hydration, if needed, via feeding tube or IV line
• Dietary therapy -- may include developing meal plans to support the immune system or get enough vitamins and minerals when cancer patient doesn't feel like eating
• Emotional support and companionship during the day when family members might need to work
• Personal care, such as meal preparation, chores and assistance with other daily tasks

Where Can I Find a Home Healthcare Aide?

Start by asking your doctor, nurse, hospital discharge person or insurance company representative for recommendations. These people work with home health agencies on a regular basis, so they're familiar with the local agencies.

You can also contact your state health department for a list of agencies. State health department representatives won't know the details about your local agencies, but they can tell you which ones accept Medicare or Medicaid.

When searching for a home healthcare aide, it's important to hire a reliable company. You can learn more about companies in your area by visiting the Joint Commission's accreditation of healthcare organizations Quality Check website. The Joint Commission maintains a patient safety score for accredited home health providers. Type in your zip code and select "home care" or a more specific type of service in your search.

For more information about finding a home healthcare aide, contact the National Association of Home Care and Hospice. You can reach the organization by telephone at (202) 547-7424.

Who Pays for a Home Healthcare Aide?

There are a variety of resources to help consumers afford home healthcare aides. The following are ways to pay for help:

• Self-pay If your insurance company will not cover a home healthcare aide, you can pay for the service out of pocket. According to AARP, the US average rate for home healthcare aides is $19 per hour.
• Insurance companies Some insurance companies will cover some home healthcare services. Call your representative before scheduling services. If a representative tells you the service will be covered, ask for documentation to be sent to you. You have the right to have a copy of your insurance coverage.
• Medicare and Medicaid In some cases, Medicare and Medicaid will cover home healthcare aides. Qualifying for Medicare or Medicaid coverage for these services can be a lengthy process. Hospital social service workers can sometimes help you with the process. Be sure to contact the national Medicare and Medicaid offices to talk to representatives about coverage options. Remember, to be covered through these programs, you need to establish services through a certified Medicare or Medicaid provider.
• The Older American Act (OAA) The OAA offers federal money to encourage older Americans to remain independent. These funds typically pay for a home aide to do chores, shop and prepare or deliver meals. These aides typically do not help with medical issues.
• Local organizations Often communities have resources available to help community members afford home healthcare services. Ask a hospital representative or social worker if they know of any such organizations. The United Way might also be a good resource.

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