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Pam Pirotte
Pam Pirotte was raised in Wichita and received her Masters in Nursing from WSU. She was a nursing educator as well as a bedside nurse until 1986, when care in the home became her focus. Pam considers this the most rewarding field available to nursing personnel. The relationships are positive and precious. “People appreciate us for keeping them in their own homes.” Pam lives with her husband, donkeys, ducks, chickens, geese, goats, dogs and cats, near Leon, Kansas. Saint Raphael Home Care is located at 903 West 18th, Wichita, KS 67203, and Pam can be reached at 316-269-5400.
Senior Living
2007-05-01 09:02:00
Choosing the correct home care
Question: How do I choose a home care agency for my husband while he recovers from a stroke? He will be finished with rehabilitation in 2 weeks.
Answer: These are the questions you should ask of Home Health Providers and what you should know about the answers you get. • Are your caregivers credentialed? Credentialed caregivers are trained and tested in the skills needed for bedside care. They are paid more than “non-medical” personnel. CNA (Certified Nurse Aide) and HHA (Home Health Aide) are the certifications required by the state for caregivers in the home. • What are the employment standards of the agency? There are many ways employees need to be screened. A KBI (Kansas Bureau of Investigation) check includes felonies and misdemeanors. The court docket and warrant check shows unsettled legal issues. The Motor Vehicle check gives evidence of irresponsible driving practices. Candidates should have excellent references from nursing systems where they have been employed. Drug free status is determined by urine testing. You want a worker in your home that is honest, accountable, not drug impaired, drug seeking, or supporting a drug habit. • How many hours of care will I need? Initially, many people call requesting continuous care. This is not necessary if the client can use a phone or a “lifeline” button. Ask the agency if they provide short shifts. This would mean that a worker could come for morning care/breakfast, return for lunch, return for supper and again to help with bedtime preparations. Don’t pay for more care than you need. • How much does care cost per hour? Care charges range from $14.00 to $20.00 per hour. At the low end you may be getting a person with no credentials (NMA). Sometimes that matters a lot. Ask about it. • What if the worker is absent? A caregiver who misses her visit should be replaced. Some agencies do not make provision for this. • Why can’t I hire my own caregivers? The screening systems are costly. Many people are uncomfortable with terminating a caregiver, especially for misconduct. Having backup for an absent employee is very challenging.The IRS expects a private employer to withhold taxes and match social security withholding. Probably the most important financial consideration is this: Agencies which fully employ the personnel they provide, protect your estate from worker’s compensation claims. A court judgment against you, for on the job injury, could result in the loss of your home and financial resources. • What about changing agencies? Cancellation is as easy as notifying the scheduler. From the time you cancel care, you will not be charged. Don’t be afraid to ask the tough questions. A quality agency won’t hesitate to answer.
 
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