Resources

Naturally, making the right decision for the care of a loved one is an important decision. Home care is often a viable solution. This process begins with a careful evaluation of the patient’s unique and specific needs.

Home care generally falls into two categories: Skilled care and personal care. Skilled care is medical care provided by nurses, therapists (physical, occupational, and/or speech), and/or social services ordered by a physician. Skilled care is typically paid for by Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance, or private pay. Custodial care, on the other hand, is care provided by home health aides to assist with activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, and light cleaning. Custodial care is typically paid for through private pay or community waiver programs. FirstChoice can help you verify your benefits and coordinate coverage and billing options.

Home care might be an appropriate solution if your loved one is experiencing:

• A new or chronic illness
• Hospitalization or surgery and requiring recovery and healing
• Anxiety, fear or other feelings that come with illness
• A new health care diagnosis requiring a change in daily lifestyle

FirstChoice can help you decide if home care is right for you and your loved one. FirstChoice always makes family involvement and input a top priority. We want you to feel comfortable with the recommended services and feel confident that all of your loved one’s needs are being met.

Contact a local FirstChoice office in your area to see if FirstChoice is the right choice.  To view your nearest location click here.

In October 2009, FirstChoice launched it’s new Behavioral Health program, called Journey.

Through the Journey Program, FirstChoice provides Behavioral/Mental Health home care services to home bound adults. Services are provided by a multidisciplinary team that provides comprehensive short-term intermittent home health services. The team is made up of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses, Social Workers, Physical, Speech and Occupational Therapists and Home Health Aides who can meet the holistic needs of the patient

GOALS OF THE JOURNEY PROGRAM:

• Transition client from acute levels of care to home and community
• Increase medication and treatment compliance
• Improved functional ability
• Prevent expensive in-patient hospitalization
• Decrease emergency services utilization
• Improve knowledge about medications, illness, coping, staying well and community resources
• Decrease symptoms
• Increase patient’s quality of life and overall health management

Do you think you or a family member might benefit from the Journey Program?

• Are you anxious?
• Do you feel that your life is empty?
• Do you have feelings of panic about life events?
• Do you have feelings of impending doom?
• Have you noticed feelings of hopelessness and helplessness?
• Do you frequently feel like crying?
• Are life changes getting you upset and overwhelmed?
• Has there been a marked change in your eating or sleep habits?
• Do you think you might be depressed?
• Are you forgetful?
• Are you concerned you might have dementia or Alzheimers?

For more information on the Journey Program, please call a Clinical Manager at the office nearest you. To find your nearest location Click Here.

FirstChoice Home Health is a proud member of the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) and the Alzheimer’s Association.  FirstChoice Home Health was also a proud sponsor of the 2010 Memory Walk.

FirstChoice offers an alternative for families to consider for their loved ones with Alzheimer’s or other related Dementia’s.

FirstChoice, through our Journey Behavioral Health program, is proud to announce a new and innovative approach to Alzheimer’s and other related Dementia care. Our program, “Becoming an Alzheimer’s Whisperer,” enables the caregiver to calm fears and understand more about the loved one that is cuaght up in this terrible disease. This national program was developed by Dr. Verna Benner Carson, APRN/PMH and has been recognized by the American Psychiatric Nurses Association as “Best Practices in Dementia Care.”