P How long has the provider been serving the community?

             The agency you choose should have a proven track record in providing

             exceptional services to the community.  Advantage Home Health Care, Inc.

             has been serving the community since 1995 in several different capacities

             and has developed a reputation for excellence.

 

P How does the provider select and train its employees?

             It is important that the people you are letting into your home are

             experienced, well-trained and trustworthy.  Advantage Home Health Care

             hires the best     employees in the field and offers them continuous development              activites.  Every employee must pass extensive checks and meet caring and

             reliability standards.  Criminal background and reference checks are just two

             of the requirements that must be met.  Our employees are insured and bonded

             for the   protection of all our patients.  Advantage also continuously monitors

             our employees and the services you receive to ensure that our patients are

             receiving the best possible care.

 

P Do all employees licensed?

             All employees providing professional services should maintain current licenses

             with the state.  Advantage hires only professionals that are licensed by

             the State of Ohio.  In order to maintain current licenses with the State of Ohio,

             these professionals must also meet set standards determined by the state.

 

P Does the agency provide patients and families with written instructions?

             The patient and family should know up front what their rights and    

             responsibilities as a home care patient are, what, if any, fees there are for the

             services to be provided, what the agency does to maintain patient privacy,

             who to contact in case of an emergency, and who to contact if there is a

             complaint.  Advantage provides all new patients with a Client Handbook that              includes all of the above information and more.  This handbook is reviewed

             with the patient prior to admission so that the patient and family can make an              informed decision regarding admission.

 

P Are the patient’s needs discussed?

             It is most important that the patient be involved in the home care planning    

             process.  Communication is of the utmost importance with home care. 

             Advantage Home Health Care will work with the patient and family to

             discuss what the your needs are and create a care plan for employees to follow. 

 

P What services are available from the agency?

             You will want to understand what services the agency can provide to you to

             ensure that they can meet your needs.  Advantage can provide personal care

             and homemaking services, caregiver respite, emergency response systems,              transportation to medical appointments, travel attendants, independent living              assistance, and telephone reassurance.  Advantage Home Health Care also    

             works closely with it’s sister agency, Advantage Skilled Care if you reach

             a point when you need more intensive assistance.  Advantage Skilled Care

             offers Nursing, Home Health Aides, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy,              Speech Therapy, Medical Social Services.  This allows us to better coordinate              the care that you are receiving, or need to receive. 

 

P When are personnel available from the agency?

             You will also want to make sure that the services provided are available        

             when you need them.  Advantage can often admit patients within 48 hours of              receiving the referral.  Advantage has staff available to provide certain services               24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days of the year.  This can help assure you              that we will be there when you need us.

 

To contact us:

Phone: 740-353-9200 or 1-877-559-9200

Fax: 740-354-4432

E-mail: Advantage Home Health Care, Inc.

For Medicare or Medicaid services, please visit our sister agency:

 

Advantage Skilled Care, L.L.C.

Choosing an Agency

1656 Coles Blvd.

Portsmouth, Ohio 45662

Call (740) 353-9200 and ask for Malinda if you have additional questions or would like her to elaborate on any of the above answers.

Once you acquire the names of several providers in your area, you will want to learn more about their services and reputations.  Following is a checklist of questions to ask providers:

P Is the agency licensed in the state?

             Make sure that the agency you choose is licensed

             and regulated by a state agency that performs              regular surveys and maintains high set standards.               Also, make sure the agency is a provider for your              payer source. Advantage Home Health Care is              licensed and regulated by the Ohio Department of              Aging.