Home Health agencies provide skilled services such as nursing, social services and therapeutic treatments (physical, speech and occupational therapy) and non-skilled services like help with bathing, dressing and eating. These services are delivered at home to recovering, disabled, chronically or terminally ill persons. Home health services are covered by Medicare and Medicaid, most private insurance programs and private pay.

To determine which types of services you need, consult with your physician, a hospital discharge planner, or a social service organization to help you evaluate your needs. Then take the time to learn about the service and reputation of home health agencie in your area.

• Make sure you pick a "certified" home health agency. This means that they have met specific standards established by the federal government and are monitored by the state.

• Contact the agency to determine their service offerings and to learn more about their practices.

• Make sure they perform criminal background checks on all associates.
  Find out how the plan of care is developed. Are the patient and his or her family members involved in the development of the plan of care?

• Ask if the agency participates in quality assurance programs such as the one organized by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, which evaluates quality of care and operations to determine compliance with national health and safety standards.

• Does the agency assign supervisors to oversee the quality of care patients are receiving in the homes? Who can you call with questions or complaints?