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Frequently Asked Questions about Home Care
We want to make sure you or a loved one feels completely informed about
the Metropolitan Home Care programs and the quality care you can expect. Your confidence
in our skilled specialists should begin early, when you want answers to
your questions.
Hopefully, this section will help you with your research. If you do not
see your question below or are confused by an answer, please call us at
1-800-370-8317 to speak with one of our helpful counselors.
Is home care just for people who live alone?
Not at all. Home care is a great supplement to the care provided by family
or loved ones. Our skilled staff of medical professionals will work in
partnership with your primary caregiver—a friend or family member—to
teach proper techniques to use when we are not there.
By bringing rehabilitation and high-tech care right to your doorstep, we
can give your primary caregiver a much-needed break to run errands or
simply relax and recharge.
Many of our patients do live alone. But our specialists are never
far from you. That’s because many of our staff members live in the
same neighborhoods as their patients.
In addition, we schedule home visits when they are convenient for you or
your family.
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What’s the difference between home care and hospice?
Both provide care in the home, but they serve different needs.
Home care is for:
- People who have left the hospital but still need medical care
- Those who can avoid hospital stays with in-home help
- Those who need their medical conditions checked often
- Those who need help learning to cope with a recently diagnosed medical
condition
Hospice is specifically designed
for people facing the last stages of a life-limiting illness.
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Do all home care agencies provide the same services?
Services vary. For example, not all agencies offer services involving high-tech
care, such as ventilator care, that would normally be provided at a hospital
or other health facility. Plus, some agencies might not schedule home visits
around your needs.
Our Metropolitan Home Care programs are designed around each patient’s needs,
so you can expect specialized care plans and attention. We might not have a particular service listed on the Web site, but that doesn’t mean
we do not offer it.
It’s always a good idea to call one of our counselors to discuss
your medical needs in-depth. Give Metropolitan a call at 1-800-370-8317 today
for more information about your personal home-care needs.
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What home care services does Metropolitan provide?
Metropolitan provides a full range of specialized home care services for both long-term
and short-term medical needs. Several of our home care services are listed
below. Call Metropolitan today at 1-800-370-8317 if you don’t see a service
you or a loved one needs. This list is just a sample of what we offer.
- Nursing care
- Physical and occupational rehabilitation
- Speech-language pathology
- Respiratory services
- Nutritional counseling
- Medical social services
- Care management services
- Home health aide services
- Lab technician services (by arrangement)
- Durable medical equipment and supplies (by arrangement)
- High-tech care (tube feeding, IV feeding, IV drugs, wound care, ventilator
care, pain management, orthotics, teaching and assessment)
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What is “care management”?
Care management involves extensive coordination. Your care manager will
develop a care plan using valuable input from you, your physician and
your primary caregiver. This care plan outlines your rehabilitation treatments
and schedule.
It’s the care manager’s responsibility to work with you to
achieve your rehabilitation goals. Your personal care manager will keep
a close eye on your progress and make adjustments in services as needed.
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What if the patient’s condition changes?
Home care is designed to keep you independent and at home. If this becomes
impossible, there are other options, including adult day health care and skilled nursing facilities.
Because Metropolitan is an integrated health system, it is easy and convenient
to switch from one type of care or service to another.
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Will my health insurance cover home care?
Medicare, Medicaid, managed care providers (including HMOs) and many private
insurance plans provide coverage for home care—under certain conditions.
These conditions, and the amount and type of coverage you have, vary
from plan to plan. Check your plan’s Evidence of Coverage booklet,
Web site or customer service center for more information.
Or you can call Metropolitan at 1-800-370-8317 and speak with one of our knowledgeable
counselors. We are happy to help you determine your health insurance
status.
If you do not have health insurance and would like more information about
a health plan that can help you obtain home care coverage, visit the
Elderplan® Web site. Elderplan is part of the Metropolitan integrated
health system.
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When my home care nurse visits me, how will I know she is from Metropolitan?
All of our specialists wear badges or uniforms that identify who they are.
In addition, they will have identification that lets you know which participating
agency they work for.
Because Metropolitan is a citywide system of participating agencies and programs,
you might see a few different types of uniform styles. Most often our
specialists will work directly for one of these agencies:
- Metropolitan Jewish Adult Day Health Care
- Metropolitan Jewish Home Care
- First to Care Home Care, Inc.
- St. Mary’s Metropolitan Home Care for Kids
- Metropolitan Jewish Hospice
- Shorefront Jewish Geriatric Center
- Metropolitan Jewish Geriatric Center
- HomeFirstSM
- Elderplan®
You can access detailed agency and program information by visiting the
Metropolitan Agency Directory. If you are ever confused
about the identity of one of our specialists, please call us immediately
at 1-800-370-8317.
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Do you offer specialized home care for children and expectant and new mothers?
Yes. Metropolitan is proud to provide home care to those who are often the most
in need—children and mothers. Our unique partnership with St. Mary’s
Healthcare System for Children makes quality, personalized short-term
care for children and expectant and new mothers a reality.
We understand how important the health and well-being of your child is
to you, so our experienced and dedicated staff will work with you to determine
the most comfortable and compassionate methods to use in treating your
child. Our at-home services for children may include:
- Post-hospitalization or post-accident treatment
- Short-term treatment for chronic illness, such as asthma, cancer and diabetes
- Physical, speech and occupational therapy
Our specialized at-home services for expectant and new mothers help relieve
the stress of difficult pregnancies and the transition to motherhood.
We will provide assistance with:
- Comprehensive care for cesarean section wounds
- Complications such as premature contractions, diabetes or hyperemesis
- St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Children Learning to care for your well or special needs child
If you would like more information about the Metropolitan Home Care programs for children and mothers, please call us at 1-800-370-8317.
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Who do I call if I have home care scheduled and my nurse doesn’t show?
If you have or believe you have a home care visit scheduled and your nurse doesn’t show up, please call Metropolitan immediately at 1-800-370-8317.
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Who do I call if I or a loved one has home care and I have questions?
If you have questions regarding the Metropolitan Home Care program—whether
you or a loved one is enrolled—please call us at 1-800-370-8317.
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Frequently Asked Questions
