Basin Coordinated Health

Other Services We Offer

admin — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 20:16:40 +0000

PRIVATE INSURANCE AND WORKER’S COMPENSATION

Basin Coordinated is a preferred provider with most insurance companies. We provide nursing services, home health aides and personal care attendants.

VETERANS ADMINISTRATION

If you are a Veteran, your local VA office can advise what services you qualify for.

PRIVATE DUTY

If you, a friend or loved one does not have an insurance plan that covers home health services, contact Basin Coordinated to learn more about private

duty services. We offer nurses, home health aides and personal care attendants.

PRIVATE CONTRACT

Basin Coordinated frequently contracts with different organizations to provide TB testing, flu clinics, health education and other health related services.

OUR SKILLED PERSONNEL

• Personal Care Attendants and Home

Health Aides duties may include:

assisting with cooking, meal preparation, cognitive assistance, light housekeeping, bathing, and assistance with medications.

• Registered Nurses

• Licensed Practical Nurses

All personnel are CPR certified, First Aid trained and are required to pass a criminal background check.

How do I Obtain Your Services?

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Referral may come from the medical community, a medical provider, a
community resource center, friends, family, and neighbors or directly from you.
If you have questions you may call our offices. We will promptly assist
you and coordinate with your physician or case manager to
provide the best home health care available.

Home Care Checklist

admin — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 22:25:21 +0000

General Safety precautions

Make sure that there are working smoke detectors on every floor.
Find a phone with large number pads and large speed-dial keys that can be programmed with important numbers.
Post emergency phone numbers in large print on or near the telephone.
Supply telephone with direct dialing system for emergency/important numbers.
Hide house key outside or give to neighbor for emergencies.
Put automatic door closing devices on doors to outside and alarms when needed.
Notify local police department that if your family member is memory impaired.
Be certain that there is adequate lighting throughout the house and install nightlights.
Check that all electrical cords are free of frays. Put childproof plugs in outlets.
Be certain that no outlets or switches are unusually warm or hot to touch.
Reduce clutter; Remove furniture that is hazardous and may move when leaned on.
Put reflector tape on furniture corners, hallways, bedrooms to create a path to follow at night.
Avoid polished floors that may be slippery and remove all non skid resistant rugs and runners.
Put opaque tape on glass door and picture windows
Remove or lock up sharp objects/breakable ones and remove all firearms from home.
Keep electric fans out of reach. Cover radiators with radiator guards.
Supervise or restrict smoking, use safety ashtrays and keep matches/lighters out of reach.
Use flame-retardant mattresses, pillows, and sheets and plan procedure for fire evacuation.
Store all prescription and over the counter medications safely away and clearly labeled.
Lock up cleaning supplies, chemicals and poisons and install a carbon monoxide detector.
Lock up valuables, important papers and documents and have system for safe mail retrieval.
Be certain plumbing and utilities are working.
Remove poisonous houseplants and have first aid kit easily accessible.
Take away car keys when necessary and disarm/hide controls for automatic garage doors.
Inform neighbors of any safety features in home that may restrict entry.

Entrance

Ensure walkway is uncluttered and doorway accessible.
Provide safe entry into the house or apartment with secure railing present.
Provide viewing of visitors prior to entry when possible.
Secure doors to outside with double key locks, or high or low locks.

Living Area

Furnish with chairs/sofas that can safely get up/down.
Adapt seating with additional firm cushions to raise seat.
Provide auto raising lift chair to assist getting up when necessary.
Be certain safe opening/closing of windows or key locked windows installed.
Ascertain ability to operate the television and light switches.
Keep cords out from under carpeting and furniture and clear of walkways.

Kitchen

Maintain appliances in working order.
Ascertain ability to manipulate sink faucets with hot water temperature settings reduced.
Make sure electrical cords aren’t dangling near water.
Ascertain ability to open/close refrigerator/freezer/stove door/ and cabinets.
Ascertain ability to reach dishes, pots, utensils, and outlets.
Store sharp objects are safely away.
Keep flammables away from the stove area.
Remove small non-food items that could be swallowed.
Cover stove burners, remove knobs/shut-off valves/ and install auto-pilots when needed.
Unplug or put away kitchen appliances not in use.
Disconnect or camouflage garbage disposals.

Bedroom

Locate bedroom near bathroom or furnish bedside commode.
Use night-lights to provide nighttime orientation.
Ensure safe transfer in/out bed and remove bed frame if bed is too high.
Rent or purchase a hospital bed if needed.
Supply bumpers or padding to surround bed if needed.
Install reverse locks on doors when needed.
Use monitor to listen to activity especially at night.
Remove carpeting if incontinence becomes a problem
Install room darkening blinds or shades when needed.
Be certain that phone and light is accessible from bed.
Be certain that clothes in the closet/dresser are reachable.

Bathroom

Install grab rails in tub or shower.
Provide a tub bench or tub chair for sitting in tub.
Install hand held shower nozzle.
Remove any scatter rugs and furnish bath mat and non-skid strips in tub.
Replace glass shower doors with unbreakable plastic.
Install grab bars, safety frame, and/or raised seat on or near toilet
Lock up razor blades, sharp objects, and store away electrical devices.
Be certain that light switches, outlets and toilet paper are accessible.

Stairways

Widen treads or shorten risers.
Replace outdoor stairs with ramps.
Install sturdy handrail or grab rails along both sides of stairs.
Put reflector tape on edge of treads.
Install barriers or gates at stairs if needed.
Provide adequate lighting and ensure steps are free of clutter.

Choose the right Caregiver

admin — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 22:24:40 +0000

Caregiver Profile

Do you need an easy and effective way to determing the best type of caregivers for you? Click on the link below to open an easy to fill out check list that you can use to make sure you are selecting the right type of services for you. Click on Print the form and bring it with you when looking for a caregiver. Basin Home Health & Hospice can also use this form to determine whether a medical or non-medical Home Care Solution is most appropriate for you. The Caregive check list saves you time and helps you to understand the various duties and qualifications you will need. Basin Home Health and Hospice is committed to helping you find the most suitable caregiver corresponding to your needs. Your caregiver checklist results will give you answers to help prepare you for next step of actually hiring home care assistance.

View and Print a check list

What are the different Types of Caregivers

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Non-Certified Aides / Home Helper / Personal Care Aides / Homemakers / Companions

The non-certified aide or assistant provides custodial, supportive, long-term personal care services which may also include housekeeping, meal preparation, and companionship. However, this can be very confusing depending on which state you live in as there are many variations in job titles, duties and costs. As a general rule these types of non-certified aides usually work as either private-duty hires for families OR as employees of non-medical home care agencies.

Services are privately paid for and not reimbursable under Medicare and private health insurance regardless of whether they are employed with a non-medical home care agency or hired privately. Some long-term care insurance plans may cover these services but need to check with insurance carrier first. Non-certified aides can provide general routine personal care services that often is what is needed most to help care for a loved one at home.

Homemakers and chore-workers fall under this non-certified category also and usually perform light household duties, meal preparation, laundry and other similar tasks. Chore workers sometimes do heavier types of cleaning such as washing windows. Both of these workers are supervised and they do not provide direct personal care as a rule. Companions also without formal training do not perform direct personal care but instead are more limited to providing comfort and companionship to those people who cannot be left alone and unsupervised.

Certified Nurse’s Aides (CNA) / Home Health Aides (HHA)

Certified Nurse’s Aides (or Assistants) and Home Health Aides work as an essential part of the home health care team under the supervision of other health care professionals such as nurses and rehab therapists. Both CNAs and HHAs are certified with similar required training that varies from state to state. CNAs and HHAs have successfully completed a training course, passed both a written and practical exam and placed on a state registry. In some states the HHA has additional training in the homecare field while in other states the CNA has broader healthcare training including but not limited to homecare.

Certified nurse’s aides and home health aides are employed at both medical home health agencies and non-medical home care agencies. CNA’s and HHA’s services when employed with Medicare / Medicaid home health agencies may be reimbursed when certain requirements are met. These requirements include working under supervision of licensed professionals and a physician approved plan of care authorizing supplemental aide services to skilled care. In contrast aide services are usually not covered by Medicare and private insurance when provided through a non-medical home care agency or private hiring. However privately paying for CNAs and HHAs for needed personal care assistance might be the best or only option when skilled care is not necessary.

CNAs and HHAs both assist patients with activities of daily living (ADLs) including personal care, ambulation, nutritional, medications, toileting, health monitoring (i.e. blood pressure) and sometimes light housekeeping. The certified assistant must be skilled in actual procedures and also make competent observations of a patient’s condition for reporting to professionals.

CNAs and HHAs are CPR certified and based on level of training again varying from state to state, may provide additional bedside care. Such care might include wound / bedsore treatments and dressing changes, tube feedings, catheter care, ostomy changes, and diabetic monitoring under the supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN).

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) / Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVN)

LPNs sometimes known LVNs or practical nurses must pass rigorous specific state curriculum requirements and a standardized national exam after completion of their college program to obtain their nursing license. They are qualified to perform certain skilled nursing procedures and must work under the supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN) or a physician.

Registered Nurses (RN)

Registered Nurses (RNs) have more extensive education and must pass rigorous state curriculum requirements and a standardized national exam after completion of their college program to obtain their nursing license. They are competent to perform all aspects of skilled nursing care in addition to supervising other members of the health team including LPNs/ LVNs, CNAs, and / or HHAs.

Physical Therapists (PT) / Occupational Therapists (OT) / Speech Therapists (ST)

Therapists including physical therapists, speech therapists and occupational therapists assist in the rehab of those with physical injuries or disease. Restoration of mobility, strength, dexterity, balance, communication skills is often the purpose for therapy. Helping individuals who are disabled by physical injuries or disease to regain maximum function with activities of daily living is always a main priority.

Social Workers (SW) / Medical Social Workers (MSW)

Social Workers assist in the evaluation of social, emotional and environmental factors affecting the ill and disabled. They may provide family or individual counseling for those in need or a crisis situation. Medical social workers offer support and often help identify and locate appropriate community resources.

What are the Different Types of Agencies

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Home Health Agency

Probably the oldest and most familiar provider of home care services is known as the home health agency. The home health agency is licensed and usually Medicare certified and accepts other 3rd party billing of health insurances. Medicare certification means that the agency has met specific federal guidelines and criteria regarding patient care.

The main and distinctive purpose of this type of agency is to provide skilled care for treatment or rehabilitation services to homebound patients. Home care professionals must strictly adhere to a physician approved plan of care that is deemed medically necessary and updated every 60 days in order for Medicare benefits to continue.

Home health agency services include skilled nursing, physical and occupational therapy, social work, and home health aide while under professional supervision. Home health care agencies focus more on the skilled medical aspects of care and the home health care aide serves only as a supplement to this care. Regardless of reimbursement eligibility, Medicare will only pay for skilled care in the home for a limited period of time to treat an illness or injury. The HHAs can provide a pre-authorized amount of personal care while under professional supervision however must discontinue care when skilled care needs are no longer justified.

Individuals often may still have ongoing personal care needs even though skilled services are no longer required. As a result of this common need, some home health agencies offer a private pay, non-certified component within their agency for nursing assistants to continue providing personal and custodial care. Hiring a non-medical home care agency directly or a privately hiring a caregiver is another option when continued care through a home health agency is not feasible.

Home Care Agency or Non-Medical Home Care Agency

A non-medical home care agency is generally an agency that provides home care services which are not considered to be skilled care. These agencies provide what is termed non-skilled supportive custodial care that is supplied by home health aides, certified nursing assistants (CNAs) and also non-certified nurse aides, homemakers, and companions.

These greatly needed services range from housekeeping and companion care to assistance with personal care such as bathing, dressing, toileting, and eating. Unskilled care is not reimbursable under Medicare and therefore is paid for privately, or in some cases by private long-term care insurance. A physician’s order is not required as the need for care is not deemed medically necessary and patient homebound status not required. A professionally authorized and monitored care plan is unnecessary.

These private pay agencies are usually still licensed under authority of each state but licensure requirements and regulations vary widely from state to state unlike federally regulated Medicare certified home health agencies. Most agencies employ their workers, do background checks and manage payroll and taxes. Most of these agencies professionally supervise and monitor their staff with regards to patient care. Non-Medical home care agencies play an undeniably big role filling gaps in home care services not covered under skilled care. Un-skilled home care services such as personal care assistance or other cooking and cleaning help is often what may be needed most and by many in order to remain in their homes.

Registry or Staffing Agency

A private duty registry or employee staffing agency simply acts primarily as an employment service for a variety of skilled and unskilled healthcare workers including nurses, nurse assistants (CNAs) and rehab therapists. Many states do not require these types of agencies to be licensed or conform to specific regulatory requirements.

The management of staff is the key difference between these private duty registries and both the home care and home healthcare agencies previously addressed. Generally homecare and home healthcare agencies actually employ their workers that are sent into client’s homes while registries do not. The registry matches an independent healthcare contractor with the patient needs, refers them to the client, and then collects a finder’s fee. Consequently, the caregiver in the client’s home does not work for the registry but instead the client acts as the employer. He or she becomes the supervisor, usually pays the worker directly, and is responsible for all payroll taxes including social security withholdings.

Registries and staffing agencies can be reimbursed for their services sometimes through long-term care insurance, Medicaid and private pay. These agencies refer various types of employees providing skilled care from licensed nurses to personal care and companion assistance from nursing assistants.

Requesting an employee referral through this type of service is similar to hiring an individual privately on your own. Managing your own employee offers more independence but at same time additional responsibility without the advantage of employee background screening and licensure verification that many registries undertake.

Private Hire or Independent Providers

Private hire or independent caregivers include various types of nurses, therapists, nursing aides, homemakers, and companions. They are privately employed and managed by those who require their services. All responsibility for recruiting, hiring and supervising falls upon the client or family. Clients pay the caregiver directly; manage payroll taxes, and social security withholdings.

Agency rates are usually higher then private hire employees due to recruitment and management overhead costs incurred. Less dependence on agency staffing with the possibility of saving money may or may not be offset by the time-consuming responsibility of managing a private caregiver.

What are the Benefits of using Home Health Care Agencies

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When the need for additional care presents itself for a senior, many decisions must be made.

Does the senior wish to remain in the home they currently live in?

Is that home able to accommodate their current medical conditions?

What are the financial capabilities to pay for care services?

What are the long-term plans for the senior’s care needs based on their physical and mental capabilities and socialization needs?

Nine out of ten people say they prefer home care over institutional care. It is the most efficient and compassionate way to care for patients with chronic conditions and those who do not require full-blown hospitalization or nursing-home care. It encourages independence for seniors and those living with chronic health conditions, while keeping families together. People of all ages are choosing to receive sophisticated medical treatment in their loving and secure home environments.

High Quality and

Comprehensive

Home care is consumer-focused, offering personalized care in the comfort of patients’ homes. It is also high-quality, offering state-of-the-art technology, such as IV chemotherapy for cancer patients and tele-health care, which allows caregivers to monitor patients’ conditions remotely around-the-clock. This type of home care is especially important for those with chronic conditions such as diabetes and congestive heart failure to help avoid costly visits to the emergency room.

All Stages of Life

Home care touches all stages of life. It can be acute care following a hospital stay or serious illness; long-term care for someone with a disability or an elderly person in declining health; care for a medically fragile infant on a ventilator; or end-of-life care for a terminally ill patient.

Speedier Recoveries

Data suggests that patients recover more quickly at home because they are not susceptible to life-threatening infections and other complications that occur in 20 percent of hospital patients.

Do I need In-Home Care?

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There is no place like home and Basin Home Health & Hospice can help in choosing the services you will need to take care of your loved one.

Home care gives you peace of mind. Not only does your loved one have somebody with them as a companion but also somebody to look after them and make sure that they take their entire necessary drug and treatment.

Having a caregiver and staying at home would means peace of mind for you and a happy healthy enviroment for your loved one.

When this service is available, patients can have shorter stays in hospitals, reducing the high costs on hospital bills and related fees. When care is needed from a nurse, the patient can just contact Basin Home Health & Hospice to send professional medical personnel over.

Home care services means that the patient is much happier because there is NO PLACE LIKE HOME

OUR IN-HOME HEALTH CARE SERVICES INCLUDE:

Post Hospital Care
I. V. Therapy
Rehab Services
Obstetrical Monitoring Services
Pediatric Care
Geriatric Care
Personal Care Attendant
Navajo &. Spanish speaking staff available

OUR QUALIFIED STAFF INCLUDES:

Registered Nurses
Specialized I.V. Team
Obstetrical Skilled Nurses
Skilled Nursing
Physical Therapists
Occupational Therapists
Medical Social Worker
Certified Home Health Aides

CERTIFIED MEDICAL DIRECTOR Our medical director is able to review and coordinate care with our staff.

• SKILLED NURSING Skilled observation and assessment, teaching medication management, I.V. therapy, wound care and terminal care.

• THERAPY SERVICES Physical and Occupational Therapists are available to develop an individual Rehabilitation
program to assist our clients to become functionally independent in their environment. Our Therapists
have extensive training in Rehabilitation, Lymphedema Management and Swallowing Disorders.

• HOME CARE Attendants Assisting our clients with activities of daily living and personal care such as bathing, dressing, and home exercise
programs under the supervision of a Registered Nurse or Therapist.

• SOCIAL SERVICES Medical Social Worker available to assist with community resources, long term planning,
financial resources and short term counseling.

PROVIDER OF A COMPREHENSIVE Variety OF CARE-GIVING SERVICES

We provide nursing on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Billing is handled directly with Medicare, Medicaid, Worker’s Compensation and Private
Insurance Carriers.

A sliding fee scale is available for private pay patients.

We will be happy to help determine what your benefits are.

Basin Has Been Providing Quality In-Home Health Care Services Since 1992.

What is In-Home Care

admin — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 21:07:55 +0000

Often when we’re working with families whose loved ones need care, we find they have some misinformation regarding home care and how it can help. Below are 5 of the most common misconceptions we have come across, and the real truth behind these questions. We hope this information will help shed some light on how our in-home healthcare services can improve the health and wellbeing of your loved ones.

1. Home care is a solution for AFTER my loved one experiences a fall or disease episode

Many people want to stay in their homes as long as possible, but feel that inviting a home caregiver in will cause them to lose their independence. In fact, a home care giver can actually help prevent the type of incidents that could cause a person to lose his or her independence. Many elderly individuals who live alone are subject to dangers from falls, fires, and other household hazards due to the fact that they aren’t as nimble and alert as they once were. It only takes one accident to cause a broken hip or other debilitating condition that makes staying at home much more difficult. Early home care intervention can prevent or lessen the severity of accidents, allowing our clients to stay at home longer, and to maintain their independence longer than they could living alone.

In addition to accidents around the house, the elderly are subject to cognitive issues or other memory impairment. Often, families feel that these types of issues are something they should be able to handle on their own and feel that it’s not appropriate to bring in a caregiver to help care for their family. However, our highly skilled and trained caregivers have special experience dealing with all types of chronic diseases among their clients. Bringing a compassionate and experienced professional into your home can help to make sure you’re doing what is best for your loved one and that they are receiving care from someone who is used to caring for people with similar healthcare needs.

2. Home care costs more than going to a facility and my resources will run out

Certainly there are costs associated with an in-home caregiver of any kind, but whereas moving into a facility is an all or nothing decision, home care can be scheduled to the individual’s needs: sometimes a few hours a day are enough to keep a person safe at home and out of a facility. Our skilled professionals will come into your loved ones’ home, provide a free safety evaluation, and suggest a care plan that fits their unique and specific needs in the home.

3. Home care is a replacement for the care of family and friends

In fact, just the opposite is true. In the vast majority of cases, home care can actually bring families together, allowing the adult children to be the children, while still knowing their parents are safe and well taken care of. Though you might consider children or grandchildren to be “free” sources of care for loved ones, there can significant physical, financial, and psychological consequences for a family caregiver who is caring for loved ones in their own home. Often, family caregivers must put their own needs or the needs of their small children aside because of the high level of need of their elderly loved ones. Home care can serve as respite care for the family caregiver to give him or her a periodic break from care giving – to improve their quality of life and reduce their stress, allowing them to find much-needed balance in their lives.

4. Most people don’t trust someone in their home and would rather move to a facility for care

The majority of seniors want to age at home, and prefer to receive care as long as possible outside of a facility. In fact, 92% of people over the age of 65 strongly agreed that “what they would really like to do is stay in their current residence as long as possible.”

At first, inviting someone you don’t know into your home can be a scary proposition, but working with a professional agency helps to alleviate these concerns. An initial evaluation performed by a nurse or other professional will help your loved one feel comfortable almost immediately. We are experts at working with our clients to customize their home care solution and help them be comfortable with their decision to invite one of our compassionate and skilled caregivers into their home. Our caregivers are our employees, so you can be assured that they have a clean background and recieve continuous training to help them provide the best possible care.

5. My loved ones have more needs than a home caregiver can provide

With some home care companies that you choose to bring into your loved ones homes, you might find that their services are limited to less skilled tasks than the full extent of your loved ones’ needs. At Homewatch CareGivers, we can often provide a higher level of care than other home care agencies, depending on the regulations of your state. Each and every one of our fully licensed locations is able to provide hands on, personal care, such as bathing, grooming and help with ambulation, that your loved ones will need as they age. You can look at the “Services” section of your local Homewatch CareGivers office for the full extent of the services they can provide. Many of our home care agencies also have a nurse on staff who can help with even greater levels of need, such as medication management and monitoring of vital signs. Our locations also partner with local skilled home healthcare agencies to give your loved ones access to professionals who can care for their highest level health needs; their nurses and our caregivers work together to give you a seamless home healthcare solution for your loved ones.

Fran Moffitt (BCH & BHH)

admin — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 17:09:33 +0000

- Start date: November 1, 1992

- Title: Owner, RN, BSN, CEO, Administrator (BHH)

- Bachelor of Science in Nursing, University of Phoenix 2008; Associate Degree in Nursing, Pikes Peak Community College 1988; Licensed Practical Nurse, San Juan Vo-Tech School 1993.

- Special Recognitions

Recipient of the 1999 Mike Krako Award for professionalism – New Mexico Association of Home & Hospice Care

Named Boss of the Year byFour CornersHuman Resources Association 2004.

- Professional Activities

Served on the New Mexico Association for Home & Hospice Care, Board of Directors for 18 years; Executive Board for 16 years. Current Past-President and Secretary.

Member of the Forum of the States – National Association of HomeCare and Hospice 2001-2003, 2007 to 2009.

Serves on the Home Health Nurse Advisory Board – National Association of HomeCare and Hospice.

Serves on Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations Board representing Home Care and Hospice.

Member ofSan JuanCollegeNursing Advisory Board.

Serves on the Board of Directors for theFarmingtonBetter Business Bureau.

Served on the editorial board of Home Health Care Management & Practice magazine 1998-2001.

- Certified Home Care Manager, 1997.

- 28 years nursing experience; physician office, hospital, ICU, ER, Labor and Delivery, with 22 years in Home Health