Home care is a health care option offering a broad range of medical care and support services provided in the home. A team of skilled professionals provides specialized care under a physician’s direction within the patients’ homes. Care may include skilled nursing care, special therapy and assistance with personal care. Physicians often order home care after hospitalization or after a period of general mental instability. Because selecting a home health provider is the personal choice of the patient or caregiver, it is important to know about home healthcare and the services the agency provides.

Home care is a cost-effective alternative to extended hospital and nursing home stays. Home care services are provided through a variety of providers whether independently owned or associated with hospitals, nursing homes, or public health departments.

You have the right to make decisions about your health care including who provides your home care.

The following is a checklist of questions to ask agencies and other individuals familiar with home care. Their insight will help you determine which agency is best for you or your loved one.

First and for most, find out how long the agency has been serving the community. Then proceed with the following questions.

1. Is the agency state-licensed? Medicare/Medicaid certified? Accredited by JCAHO (Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations) or CHAP (Community Health Accreditation Program)?
2. Does the agency accept your insurance?
3. Does the agency supply literature describing its services, eligibility requirements, fees and payment plan options? Many agencies furnish patients with a detailed “Patient Bill of Rights” that out lines the rights and responsibilities of the agencies, patients, and caregivers alike.
4. How long will you have to wait for services after requesting a visit?
5. Will the agency inform you of your financial responsibilities, in writing, prior to giving care?
6. How does the agency select and train its employees? Do the majority of employees work directly for the agency? Does the agency perform background checks (ie. Police & Drug)?
7. Do nurses or therapists evaluate and coordinate the patient’s home care needs? If so, what does this involve? Do they consult the patient’s physician and family members?
8. Does the agency include the patient and his/her family members in developing the plan of care? Are they involved in making care plan changes?
9. How does the agency educate patients and/or family members on the care being given?
10. How does the agency supervise the staff making the visit?
11. Who can the patient and his/her family members call with questions/concerns/complaints? How does the agency follow up and resolve these issues?
12. What procedures does the agency have in place to handle emergencies? Are its caregivers available 24 hours a day, seven days a week?
13. How does the agency ensure patient confidentiality?

• Allows individuals recovering from illness, suffering from chronic conditions or coping with terminal illness to receive services in the security and comfort of their home surrounded by family, friends, pets and cherished items.
• Offers a convenient and economical health care alternative.
• Involves the individual and their family support system in health care decisions.
• Provides guidance to family caregivers.
• Facilitates faster recovery from illness and disability.
• Helps maintain independence.
• Offers flexibility in the delivery and types of services.
• Offers therapies which, because of recent technological advances, can now be delivered in the home.
• Delays the need for institution custodial care.

• Your physician, nurse or discharge planner can refer you to NSI.
• You or your family can call NSI directly.
• Our specialists will help in determining eligibility for Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance or other third party payors.
• NSI files all claims and processes all paperwork.
• NSI can meet all of your home care needs with one phone call.

  In the Greater Hartford area, simply call:
  (860)568-8881
  or for our Shoreline office call:
  (860)395-1300

Home Care allows for early discharge from hospitals and prevents or postpones institutionalization.

Home Care is personalized one-to-one care, tailored to the needs of each individual, allowing maximum freedom for the client.

Home Care can be cost effective when compared to hospital or nursing home care.

Home Care supplements the family's resources and efforts in caring for loved ones at home, keeping families together.

Home Care allows individuals to remain independent in their own homes.

NSI is locally owned and operated by a Registered Nurse with over 30 years of hospital and community based home care experience.

NSI has an expert staff of licensed professionals totally committed to providing high quality care.

NSI has been providing health care services throughout central Connecticut since 1980.

NSI delivers services 24 hours a day, 7 days per week.

NSI strives for client satisfaction.

NSI offers competitive rates.

NSI employees are screened, credentials are reviewed and references are thoroughly checked.

NSI is JCAHO Accredited, licensed by the State of Connecticut and Medicare/Medicaid certified.