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Home Care is Fast Growing |
| Home care is the fastest growing segment of the health care industry. Some of the factors driving this expansion are a growing elderly population, preference of individuals to receive services in the comfort of their own home and the need to control medical costs. |
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What is Home Care? |
| 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. 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. Click below to view the different types of services our agency provides. |
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How to Choose a Home Care Agency? |
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.
- Is the agency state-licensed? Medicare/Medicaid certified? Accredited by The Joint Commission or CHAP (Community Health Accreditation Program)?
- Does the agency accept your medical insurance or your long term care insurance?
- 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.
- How long will you have to wait for services after requesting a visit?
- Will the agency inform you of your financial responsibilities, in writing, prior to giving care?
- How does the agency select and train its employees? Do the employees work directly for the agency? Does the agency perform background checks (ie. Police & Drug)?
- 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?
- 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?
- Does the agency supervise the staff?
- Who can the patient and his/her family members call with questions/concerns/complaints? How does the agency follow up and resolve these issues?
- What procedures does the agency have in place to handle emergencies? Are its caregivers available 24 hours a day, seven days a week? How does the agency ensure patient confidentiality?
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How to Obtain Home Care Services |
- 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. Out of local calling area, simply call: (800)742-4901
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Reasons to Choose Home Care |
- 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.
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What Makes NSI Unique? |
- NSI provides both medical and non-medical care services.
- NSI is a family owned and operated business providing health care services throughout central Connecticut since 1980.
- NSI is able to transition services as needs change.
- NSI can offer services in conjunction with other agencies currently providing care in the same household.
- NSI always has a Registered Nurse available to speak with.
- NSI offers competitive rates with only a 2 hour minimum.
- NSI is a provider for Lifeline, an emergency response system, available to be installed within 24-48 hours of request.
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| “Many thanks for the prompt and excellent services throughout the past month. Your staff is uniformly excellent. Elderforce was a godsend during a very difficult and very unstable period…I think my father is in relatively stable health right now in part due to the care you helped provide.” - R.M. |
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