Whether you need help recovering from an accident, surgery, or need long term care for a chronic illness or disability, home health care is often a viable option that has been gaining popularity, for a reason. Studies have shown that recovering at home is better for a patient’s physical and mental health. Today’s home health care services can provide everything from help with errands and chores like cooking and cleaning, to skilled medical care from nurses and therapists. But with so many new home health care agencies popping up, how do you know which one to choose?Luckily, if you follow these basic guidelines, you can be confidant when choosing your home health care provider Check out the agency’s credentials.
Make sure the home health care service you choose is licensed in your state, is certified by Medicare, and is accredited by a governing agency such as The Joint Commission’s Home Care Accreditation Program.o Check out the caregivers’ credentials.
Besides looking for providers that are friendly and helpful, make sure you inquire about the caregivers’ professional training. Are they bonded and insured? Does the home health care service have a supervisor oversee the quality of the service? Also, ask for references for the caregivers themselves, and find out if the home health care agency screens their employees.o Clarify all billing issues.
The agency should be able to provide literature clearly explaining its fees and services. Make sure you know up front about co-pays, deductibles, and uncovered expenses. Ask if they offer any kind of financial assistance to those in need.o Be clear on what services you are getting.
Inquire about receiving a written plan detailing the services you will be receiving, so that there is no confusion. Make sure you know the specific services your home health caregiver will be providing, including any chores or housework. Also, find out what hours the home health care service provider has on-call help, in case of an emergency. A 24 hour hotline with someone on call is desirable and helpful.Finally, after your home health care plan is in place, monitor the services, making sure it is in line with what was actually discussed. By taking these steps you can assure that your home health care service will be beneficial to all.

There are a number of options to choose from when looking to obtain the education needed to enter into the health care field. Students can enroll in an accredited online school or college to receive the training they need for a career in this exciting field. Gaining an accredited education can be done in various areas such as health information technology, physician assisting, public health, and much more. Students have the opportunity to obtain certificates and degrees at a number of levels based on their desired career.Online educational training programs allow students to prepare for their desired career while studying from the comfort of home. Accredited online programs give students the opportunity to obtain a number of certificate and degrees in health care. Students can pursue a certificate, or associate, bachelor, master, or doctoral level degree in this exciting field. Certificate programs can range from six to eighteen months depending on the desired career.
Associate level degrees require students to complete two years of study and prepare those who wish to pursue a bachelor degree in the field.
Bachelor degree programs can take students around four years to complete and will provide the training needed to pursue a graduate degree.
Master degrees in health care can take an additional two years of study to obtain.
Doctoral degrees can require an additional four years of training depending on the students goals. With an accredited certificate or degree in the health care field students can pursue a variety of careers. Training will provide the skills and knowledge needed to have a successful career in this fast growing industry.There are numerous career possibilities for students who choose to enter into the health care field. Students can pursue the specialized career that fits their individual goals and needs. Training is available in a number of areas and can provide students with the training needed to enter into the workforce prepared. Possible career areas include:
Health EducationHealth Information
Health SciencesPhysician AssistingPublic Health…and much more.Training in these specific areas of the field will allow students to seek out employment as:
Health EducatorsHealth Sciences Professionals
Medical Professionals
Health Information TechniciansPhysician Assistants
Public Health Workers…and more.Students who pursue an accredited online education in health care can expect to gain the careers they desire. Students will need to complete a variety of coursework in order to obtain their desired level of education.Possible areas of study for an education in this field will vary by level of education desired and specific area of study. Students can expect to learn subjects like:
Fitness
Information Technology
Nutrition
Wound Care
Social and Behavioral Science…and many other related courses. Training will prepare students to pursue the career of their dreams in health care.Accredited online health care programs are available to provide students with the training needed to enter into the workforce prepared. Full accreditation is provided by agencies like the Distance Education and Training Council (http://www.detc.org) to online schools and colleges that offer a quality education. Students can start the path to the career of their dreams by enrolling in the program of their choice today.DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERIC OUTLINE and may or may not depict precise methods, courses and/or focuses related to ANY ONE specific school(s) that may or may not be advertised at PETAP.org.Copyright 2010 – All rights reserved by PETAP.org.