Private Duty Home Care in Asheville, North Carolina

Nurse Registries - A nurse registry can provide licensed sub-contractors whether they are a registered nurse (RN), licensed practicing nurse (LPN) certified nursing assistant (CAN), home health aide (HHA) or companion for you to have come to your home. The nurse registry generally refers and schedules the caregiving to provide services in the home. Caregivers in the home for the most part have to carry their own liability insurance and it is not a requirement of a nurse registry to have insurance coverage.

Home Health Care Agencies: A home health care agency can provide the same type of caregivers as a nurse registry however the caregivers that come to the home are employees of the Home Health Care Agency and not sub-contractors. Home health organizations have stricter state guidelines for hiring and background checks versus a nurse registry. In addition, it is the responsibility of the home health agency to carry umbrella like liability insurance for their employees/caregivers where liability insurance is limited with a nurse registry.

Homemaker and Companion Services: A Homemaker and Companion organization can provide non-medical home care. Unlike a home health care agency or a nurse registry where the home health aides and certified nursing assistants can provide hands on care, homemakers and companions cannot provide hands-on personal care. A Companion generally spends time with the patient for outings and trips to the doctor's office. Tasks such as meal preparation and housekeeping can be done by homemakers or companions.

Create a Wish List - Take the time and write down a wish list of the ideal caregiver. By writing down your loved one's typical day, idiosyncrasies, likes and dislikes and health conditions will allow for a positive experience for both parties involved. Be as detailed as possible so you get the type of caregiver you want.

Ask to speak with or meet the actual caregiver - A good home care provider will allow you to meet or speak with the actual caregiver. Once you have your wish list prepared, ask the caregiver how they feel about the assignment and if they are able to make a commitment to meeting the expectations outlined.

Request the same caregiver - By having the same caregiver in the home will help. The more opportunity the caregiver has to get to know the patient will allow for a better experience and may create a friendship.

Communication - Determine before care is started the best way to communicate the day's events. By creating a diary type in a spiral notebook left on the counter allows the caregiver to document events and activities for each visit. Should the caregiver not live in the same city, request from the home care provider weekly updates emailed to help oversee care in the home.