There are many businesses or online sites advertising at-home nursing and hospice care services, but consumers need to be aware that not all providers are created equal.
Anyone can state in an ad that they will “meet the needs of a client.” However, it is imperative that consumers confirm the caregiver they hire is not only a licensed and certified homemaker home health aide, but that the provider organization they work for complies with all state laws and regulations.
One of the first questions consumers should ask of any provider is whether all of their homemaker home health aides are licensed and certified by the New Jersey Board of Nursing. The Board of Nursing ensures that the aide is qualified to provide care and in home support and has passed a criminal history background check.
The New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs (www.njconsumeraffairs.gov) can also be a resource for researching a properly licensed provider agency. In New Jersey, all home care and hospice providers must be licensed by the state, and all certified homemaker home health aides, licensed by the Board of Nursing, must be employed by a licensed provider agency to ensure consumer protection. Further, all firms must offer aide oversight and supervision by a registered nurse, without a fee.
Membership in the Home Care and Hospice Association of New Jersey is a sign that a provider meets or exceeds the highest levels of transparency and compliance with state laws and regulations. To learn more about home care, or to help locate a qualified home care or hospice provider, please visit the Home Care and Hospice Association of New Jersey’s consumer resource page at www.homecarenj.org/consumer-guidance.
Selecting an in-home caregiver for a loved one is a very serious and important decision. Taking the extra time to make sure that the person and provider organization you choose is fully qualified can make a world of difference.
Chrissy Buteas
President/CEO
Home Care & Hospice Association of New Jersey
Iselin
