FAQ

Home care is a broad term that describes a wide variety of health and health-related services provided in the home setting. Home care is health care brought to your home to maintain or restore your health and wellbeing. Services include nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, in-home aide services, medical equipment and supplies, infusion therapy, respiratory therapy, and nutrition.

Care provided in the comfort and security of your home through a licensed agency gives you, your family and friends a sense of control and peace of mind. Home care provides a wide range of health and social services to patients and teaches families to help care for their family member. Home care is personalized care that reduces the anxiety and stress associated with most forms of healthcare and allows a maximum amount of freedom for the individual. In most cases, home care also means significant savings in the cost of care when compared to a hospital setting or nursing home.

Millions of Americans rely on home care to stay out of a hospital, nursing home, rest home or other institution and remain in the comfort of their own homes. There is no more important social value than keeping families together, particularly in a time of illness. There is much scientific evidence that patients heal more quickly at home and there is very high consumer satisfaction associated with care delivered in the home.

Home care not only helps add years to life but also life to years. Studies in the US and abroad show that those receiving homecare have a higher rate of life satisfaction.

Hiring a provider requires you to act as an employer and comply with complex employment regulations. Among them include withholding and payment necessary taxes on your caregivers carrying necessary insurance for them In addition, you need to cover sick and vacation days when your provider is not available. Working with an agency like Century eliminates the hassles of hiring and managing the employee. Caregivers are scheduled and supervised by us for your peace of mind.

For non-medical (also known as private duty), we accept checks. For medical services, we will work with you and insurance company to see if your services are covered. If they are not covered, we offer various payment options. A case manager can assist you in finding the best option for you and your family.

We cover most communities in Massachusetts from Springfield all the way to Boston. Coverage outside the declared coverage area is considered on a case by case basis depending on the type of need and availability of staff.

Our caregivers keep a detailed record of each visit. The record includes the time in and time out and what they did.

At Century we want you to be happy with the caregiver assigned to you. All our caregivers are very professional and well trained. However, if for any reason you are not satisfied with the care you are receiving, we will make it right and if necessary replace the caregiver with someone else.

Home care services are usually provided by home care organizations. Home care organizations include Medicare-certified home health agencies; hospices; area agencies on aging, homemaker agencies; staff and private duty nursing agencies. Other companies may be utilized to deliver specialized services and products such as medical equipment and supplies, pharmaceuticals, and drug infusion therapy.

Patients or family members may directly contact home care agencies to access services. Many agencies are listed in the yellow pages of your telephone directory. Your physician may also make recommendations about home care and, if needed, will provide the necessary medical orders for home care services. Home care services may be provided by a variety of organizations, including home health agencies, private duty nursing agencies, in-home aide agencies, councils-on-aging, county departments of social services, home medical equipment companies and home intravenous therapy agencies.

Services provided by a home health care agency will vary depending on the agency. Services range from skilled nursing, physical, occupational and speech-language therapy, home health aide services, and medical social services to community wellness and adult day health programs. Hospice and palliative care services that assist patients and families with terminal illness are provided by many home health agencies. New medical technologies and specialized services are routinely provided in the home by these agencies. These can include infusion therapy, telemedicine, and nutritional therapy.

People of all ages with acute and chronic health care needs can receive home health care services. Home health care is for persons who require health care from a professional or who need supportive assistance in the home environment. The payer(s) for these services typically determines what type of care is covered and who qualifies. In most cases, medical orders from a physician are required for care. It is best to call your local home health agency and ask for assistance.