When people think of vulnerable patient populations, they often envision bedbound folks and others with severe physical limitations. And those groups are, in fact, at risk. But seniors with cognitive challenges may face even greater dangers. Therefore, families in Torrance and the South Bay seeking assistance for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia should remember not all home care agencies are created equal.
Here are important reasons why caregiver companies with registered nurse (RN) oversight are far more capable of caring for seniors suffering mental decline than their non-medical home care counterparts.
Quality care (or lack thereof) begins with the initial patient assessment
A phone call to many Torrance and Beach Cities home care agencies will lead to an assessment or consultation with a “representative.” These folks are typically knowledgeable, professional, and helpful. However, they are not typically licensed nurses. In fact, a majority will have no nursing education whatsoever.
Despite good intentions, logic suggests home care representatives without nursing licenses are less equipped to accurately assess patients than registered nurses (RNs). Only a handful of home care agencies, such as BrightStar Care of Torrance, utilize the expertise of a registered nurse “Director of Nursing” to personally lead all new patient assessments.
In contrast to non-medical representatives, licensed nurses can more thoroughly assess a dementia patient’s condition and corresponding needs. They then use the information to craft customized care plans and even make helpful recommendations to family members. A non-medical representative can certainly create a basic care plan for a cognitively alert senior who needs basic help with bathing, dressing, and cooking. But a grandmother with Alzheimer’s is far more likely to benefit from a care plan drafted by a licensed nurse.
“Account Management” is different than RN-led “Case Management”
As previously mentioned, the standard for many home care agencies is to rely on non-medical representatives to perform initial start of care assessments for new patients. They are often referred to as “Account Managers,” “Case Managers,” or “Liaisons.” These representatives are also the people who often conduct ongoing “account/case management.”
But families should remember that, just as with start of care assessments, nuances matter. A non-medical account manager is not equipped to conduct true “case management” in a medical capacity. They are not legally permitted to manage medications, nor are they capable of taking a patient’s vital signs. So, are their patients and families really getting “case management”?
Companies with a licensed nurse serving as the Case Manager, such as BrightStar Care of Torrance, get true case management in the traditional sense. A RN periodically visits the home to reassess a patient’s condition and vital signs. And given that Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease, nurse case management can help alert family to critical changes. A RN can even help to procure doctor’s orders for needs that may arise in the home, such as Medicare home health services, additional medical equipment, or blood draws for lab testing.
Accountability and training are only as good as the supervisor or trainer
Most people would agree accountability is generally helpful in ensuring good service and quality of care. But what are families to make of supervision that comes from people without the education and licensing to properly supervise? Can a home care agency without a registered nurse “Director of Nursing” guarantee true accountability?
To be fair, accountability within the home care setting often centers on caregiver punctuality, adherence to care plans, and timely completion of administrative tasks. But the expectations are naturally much higher for those caring for especially vulnerable patients, such as seniors with Alzheimer’s or dementia. And in these cases, a non-licensed “representative” may not have the knowledge to hold aides accountable.
Agencies with a licensed nurse “Director of Nursing,” such as BrightStar Care of Torrance, also rely on that person to serve as a caregiver trainer and developer of training curriculum. And Alzheimer’s training is among the most critical topics for home care aides. Is a non-licensed Account Manager really in a position to lead these trainings or write corresponding instruction manuals? Is she equipped to discuss dementia patient-specific “redirection” techniques, emotional challenges, and safety risks?
Mitigating risk is the name of the game
At the end of the day, it wouldn’t be fair to say an Alzheimer’s patient can’t get good quality of care from a home care agency without licensed nursing resources. Nor can it be assumed that a registered nurse “Director of Nursing” guarantees perfection. However, most people would probably agree it’s prudent to mitigate risks as much as possible. And common sense suggests a home care agency with licensed nurse oversight, such as BrightStar Care of Torrance, is more likely to deliver a higher standard of care.
If you’re a healthcare professional or family member seeking home care for a patient or loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia, be sure to call today for a free registered nurse assessment from our Director of Nursing!
Here are important reasons why caregiver companies with registered nurse (RN) oversight are far more capable of caring for seniors suffering mental decline than their non-medical home care counterparts.
Quality care (or lack thereof) begins with the initial patient assessment
A phone call to many Torrance and Beach Cities home care agencies will lead to an assessment or consultation with a “representative.” These folks are typically knowledgeable, professional, and helpful. However, they are not typically licensed nurses. In fact, a majority will have no nursing education whatsoever.
Despite good intentions, logic suggests home care representatives without nursing licenses are less equipped to accurately assess patients than registered nurses (RNs). Only a handful of home care agencies, such as BrightStar Care of Torrance, utilize the expertise of a registered nurse “Director of Nursing” to personally lead all new patient assessments.
In contrast to non-medical representatives, licensed nurses can more thoroughly assess a dementia patient’s condition and corresponding needs. They then use the information to craft customized care plans and even make helpful recommendations to family members. A non-medical representative can certainly create a basic care plan for a cognitively alert senior who needs basic help with bathing, dressing, and cooking. But a grandmother with Alzheimer’s is far more likely to benefit from a care plan drafted by a licensed nurse.
“Account Management” is different than RN-led “Case Management”
As previously mentioned, the standard for many home care agencies is to rely on non-medical representatives to perform initial start of care assessments for new patients. They are often referred to as “Account Managers,” “Case Managers,” or “Liaisons.” These representatives are also the people who often conduct ongoing “account/case management.”
But families should remember that, just as with start of care assessments, nuances matter. A non-medical account manager is not equipped to conduct true “case management” in a medical capacity. They are not legally permitted to manage medications, nor are they capable of taking a patient’s vital signs. So, are their patients and families really getting “case management”?
Companies with a licensed nurse serving as the Case Manager, such as BrightStar Care of Torrance, get true case management in the traditional sense. A RN periodically visits the home to reassess a patient’s condition and vital signs. And given that Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease, nurse case management can help alert family to critical changes. A RN can even help to procure doctor’s orders for needs that may arise in the home, such as Medicare home health services, additional medical equipment, or blood draws for lab testing.
Accountability and training are only as good as the supervisor or trainer
Most people would agree accountability is generally helpful in ensuring good service and quality of care. But what are families to make of supervision that comes from people without the education and licensing to properly supervise? Can a home care agency without a registered nurse “Director of Nursing” guarantee true accountability?
To be fair, accountability within the home care setting often centers on caregiver punctuality, adherence to care plans, and timely completion of administrative tasks. But the expectations are naturally much higher for those caring for especially vulnerable patients, such as seniors with Alzheimer’s or dementia. And in these cases, a non-licensed “representative” may not have the knowledge to hold aides accountable.
Agencies with a licensed nurse “Director of Nursing,” such as BrightStar Care of Torrance, also rely on that person to serve as a caregiver trainer and developer of training curriculum. And Alzheimer’s training is among the most critical topics for home care aides. Is a non-licensed Account Manager really in a position to lead these trainings or write corresponding instruction manuals? Is she equipped to discuss dementia patient-specific “redirection” techniques, emotional challenges, and safety risks?
Mitigating risk is the name of the game
At the end of the day, it wouldn’t be fair to say an Alzheimer’s patient can’t get good quality of care from a home care agency without licensed nursing resources. Nor can it be assumed that a registered nurse “Director of Nursing” guarantees perfection. However, most people would probably agree it’s prudent to mitigate risks as much as possible. And common sense suggests a home care agency with licensed nurse oversight, such as BrightStar Care of Torrance, is more likely to deliver a higher standard of care.
If you’re a healthcare professional or family member seeking home care for a patient or loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia, be sure to call today for a free registered nurse assessment from our Director of Nursing!