Who receives home care?
From infants to adults, people who are recovering from an illness or hospital stay, are disabled, chronically or terminally ill and require health care or personal care can benefit from services provided at home.  People who need some level of care, but do not require hospitalization or other inpatient facility care, and who prefer to receive hourly care at home. Anyone can call us to make a referral. First Choice will contact the individual for further information and planning.

What should I expect from a home care agency?
A home care company should provide qualified personnel who can treat and instruct the patient and the family to help ensure independence in the home. You should expect to work with people who are experienced in providing care in the home, who are knowledgeable and who work with the family and/or physician to alleviate the stress and confusion of taking care of a loved one at home.

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How do I find and choose a home care agency?
Check with your local area Department of Aging, yellow pages, NC Department of Health and Human Services, the county Department of Social Services, physicians, hospital discharge planners, health care directories and hospice organizations for recommendations. Check with you health plan for any provider requirements.

In considering which providers to use, the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), recommend some of the following questions to consider when choosing a provider:

• How long has the agency been serving the community?

• What services do they offer?

• Are their caregivers available 24 hours a day, seven days a week?

• Do they provide nursing assessments?

• Who supervises the home care plan?

• Are they licensed?

• Are their services delivered by caregivers who are employees of their organization?

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How do I know that the home care company’s personnel are qualified to provide care at home?
A thorough review of the professional licenses, qualifications, educational backgrounds, criminal background checks, and current experience should reflect the company’s commitment to hiring appropriate personnel. Ask for references from other health care providers, such as hospitals, physicians, and patients.

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Who pays for our home care services?
Medicaid and private insurance plans cover many of the medical services provided in the home. In some cases, the patient or the family will pay for services themselves, especially in the areas of personal care and companionship, in order to help keep a loved one in the comfort of their own home.

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Why should I choose First Choice Home Care?
You should choose First Choice Home Care, because...

1. We are fully ACCREDITED with the Accreditation Commission of Health Care, as well as a long term member of the North Carolina Home Care and Hospice Agency.

2. We are licensed by the NC Division of Facility Services.

3. We take a patient/family-centered approach to care.

4. Services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with an on-call service.

5. We are committed to providing quality care based on a carefully designed personal care plan.

6. Our staff are professionally trained and supervised as well as evaluated regularly.

7. We are locally owned and operated.

8. Our staff are all employees of FCHC.