Safety With In-Home Care Services
The demand for in-home care services has been growing across New Jersey in recent years. This trend has increased not just because of the inherent cost advantages for patients and families, but more so because older adults with chronic conditions, such as dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, feel more comfortable receiving personalized care services at home.
One of the key issues responsible in-home care service agencies must address is patient safety. To begin with, the home environment is designed for living, and not for delivery of care. A professional in-home caregiver operates (at least initially) in an unfamiliar environment, works within a limited physical space and may have to use new equipment or devices. The patient as well as family members may take time to establish open communication and a relationship of trust.
To ensure patient safety in these circumstances, a dedicated in-home care service provider will focus on the following important issues:
Background Checks
When it comes to home health care, there are no federal guidelines for background checks, but each state may impose its own requirements. In general, proper in-home care background checks should include:
- Statewide criminal history check
- County-level criminal background check
- Verification of name, address, and social security number
- National Sex Offender Registry check
- Education and employment verification
- Driving record check
- Professional and personal references
Drug Screening for New Employees
A dedicated in-home care agency will make sure that the caregivers who visit a home to care for an elderly person are drug-free. While drug screening may not be mandatory under state law, an employer’s best practice should be to conduct pre-employment drug screenings on all new caregivers.
If necessary, random drug tests may also be carried out periodically during the course of employment. In rare situations, if an accident occurs at the patient’s home in the presence of the caregiver, the agency may also conduct post-incident testing as a safety best practice.
Initial and Recurrent Employee Training
To achieve its patient safety objectives, the in-home care agency may put in place a structured employee training program for new caregivers. A training manual may be provided, which helps new employees stay up to speed with the latest safety best practices and state licensing regulations about the on-site tasks they can or cannot perform.
Even for experienced caregivers, periodic training sessions may be conducted on a recurring or as-needed basis to keep them updated with the new changes in regulations, policies, practices, or caregiving methodologies.
Bonded and Insured Employees
When an in-home care service provider bonds its caregivers, it means they have purchased a bond that covers the client as well as caregiver for financial protection in the event of a property damage or theft occurring in the presence of the caregiver.
When families hire a bonded caregiver, they are assured that their loved one is protected against potential financial losses. Moreover, bonding companies conduct a rigorous background check before they will bond a caregiver, which acts as additional assurance of reliability.
Similarly, a responsible in-home care agency will have an insurance plan in place covering the financial risks arising from a wide range of potential incidents. Insurance coverage is an important proof of the agency’s reliability and commitment from a client’s perspective because they are placing enormous trust in them.
Licensing of the Agency
An in-home care agency in New Jersey must apply for and obtain a home care license, which is officially known as the Health Care Service Firm license. The state will conduct a pre-license survey and issue the license only when the agency passes the survey.
In New Jersey, the home care license must be renewed every year, which means the agency’s policies and practices will be under the state’s review year after year. The county or township where the agency operates may have additional specific requirements to issue a local license for conducting operations in that area.
Home to Stay Senior Care Solutions Maintains the Highest Safety Standards in Caregiving
Home to Stay Senior Care Solutions follows the best safety practices and protocols to ensure the safety and well-being of your elderly loved one. Our trained, bonded, and insured caregivers provide personalized non-medical care that enables seniors and people with disabilities to stay in the comfort of their own home. Contact us today or call us at 856-321-1500 to schedule a free in-home assessment and discover how we can make a difference in their life.
