Frequently Asked Questions
Home » Frequently Asked QuestionsSelecting a home health care agency is an extremely important decision. You are inviting a total stranger into your home to provide services and you need the peace of mind of knowing that you are protected by the company you choose. Dependable Health Services has put together the following questions and answers to help you better understand home care and inform you about the services we have to offer.
What is home care and what are its benefits?
Simply stated, home care involves health-care services provided in a patient’s home. But there is much more to it than that.
Home care is a collaborative effort involving the patient, the patient’s family, the physician and professional caregivers in providing health care in the home that improves the patient’s quality of life by:
- Minimizing illness or disability
- Maximizing the patient’s potential
- Restoring, maintaining and improving health whenever possible
- Promoting the patient’s independence and sense of well-being
There are many benefits to home care. It is one of the most cost-effective ways to provide health-care services, since it is more affordable than nursing homes or other institutions. Home care helps thousands of elderly and disabled residents maintain independence in performing daily activities; most individuals are much more comfortable being in a familiar home environment rather than in an institution. And studies have shown that recovery time can be quicker at home than in a hospital.
Home care can be ideal for people who:
- Are recovering from a recent hospitalization due to illness or surgery
- Are in need of additional care after being released from a nursing home
- Want to live independently but need assistance doing so due to a physical or psychological deficit
- Have chronic health issues and need help managing their disease
Dependable Health Services understands how important it is to be in familiar surroundings, to have family and friends nearby, and to have professional health care available to enhance your quality of life.
What types of home care services does Dependable provide?
Dependable Health Services provides a full range of home health-care services, including medical equipment and supplies. We work with you to fulfill your needs—everything from a one-hour bath visit to round-the-clock care.
- Registered Nurses (including RN Case Managers)
- Psychiatric Nurses
- Licensed Practical Nurses
- Certified Nursing Assistants
- Ostomy specialists
- Home Health Aides
- Accredited Medical Social Workers
- Physical therapists
- Occupational therapists
- Speech/language therapists
- Home Care Aides
- Home Companions
- Medication monitoring
- Wound care
- Ostomy care
- Dressing changes
- Catheter care
- Physical therapy
- Respiratory therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Speech/language therapy
- Complex rehab
- Hospital beds
- Wheelchairs
- Walking aids
- Oxygen delivery systems
- Suction equipment
- TENS units
- Special use and power wheelchairs
- Home ventilator equipment
- Nebulizers
We provide specialized care such as:
We also provide medical equipment and supplies including:
Dependable also offers personal-assistance services such as meal preparation, laundry, personal care, grocery shopping, light housekeeping and running errands.
Dependable Health Services is your one-stop shop for all your home health-care needs.
Who determines the patient’s home-care needs?
A “plan of care” is developed with, and for, each client. A Dependable RN Case Manager collaborates with the client, the client’s family and the physician to define each individual’s plan. This plan specifies the level and type of care needed, and the frequency of treatment. The Case Manager then serves as the conduit though which information passes from the client, doctor and caregivers. The plan of care is then updated every two months, or more often if required.
Is the company locally owned and operated?
Yes. Native Tucsonan Joe Schifano, graduated from Sabino High School and attended the University of Arizona. Joe started Dependable Nurses, Inc., in 1992, then in 1996 he opened Dependable Nurses of Pheonix. He expanded Dependable Health Services in 2002 to include medical equipment and home health care. Dependable Health Services is headquartered at 1120 S. Swan Road here in Tucson and is a member of the Better Business Bureau and Tucson Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce. Dependable is also a member of Arizona Continuity of Care and is active in the Arizona Association of Home Care.
How long has the company been in business?
Dependable Nurses, Inc., has been in business since 1992. Dependable Nurses of Phoenix has been in business since 1996. Dependable Home Health, Inc., and Dependable Medical Equipment, Inc., have operated since 2002.
Does the company have to be licensed or certified to operate in Arizona?
Yes. Dependable Home Health is licensed by the State of Arizona for home health care and must comply with guidelines set forth by the Arizona Department of Health Services. We are also certified by the federal Medicare program. In addition, our company is bonded and insured.
Do you carefully screen your employees?
Absolutely. Our employees must pass a stringent interview process as well as thorough background checks, drug screening, skills testing, and examination of their health-care experience. We check all references and we also require fingerprinting of our field staff. In short, we take all the steps necessary to ensure that we send you qualified and reliable health-care professionals.
What training do you give your employees?
Each of our employees is required to attend monthly in-service training conducted by health-care professionals. This training ensures that our employees maintain quality care and service and fosters constant skills improvement. Dependable Health Services also maintains a Professional Advisory Committee that serves as a resource for innovative health-care ideas.
Are your employees insured?
Yes. We provide complete insurance coverage for our employees, including liability, Worker’s Compensation, and bonding insurance. Liability insurance covers any damage an employee may cause; Worker’s Compensation covers injuries to an employee while in your home; and our employees are bonded against acts of dishonesty.
Do you pay your employees or do I have to pay them?
Dependable Health Services is wholly responsible for paying our employees. This includes payroll (wages), employment taxes and Worker’s Compensation. You or your insurer pays only for Dependable’s services, not for our employees.
What if I need to get in touch with someone at Dependable after business hours? Will someone be available to help me?
Yes. Our office is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Nights, weekends, holidays—we’re here to assist you when you need us!
Will my insurance cover the costs, or will I have to pay?
That depends on many variables. Private insurance companies and Medicare have complex rules to determine what they will (and will not) cover. Each case is unique. To determine whether your insurance will pay for our services, we will research your specific insurance coverage and process all necessary reimbursement paperwork. Dependable Health Services accepts and bills most insurance claims, including AHCCCS and Medicare; if you’re covered, we can handle the paperwork so you don’t have to. In those cases where insurance coverage is not available, we accept all major credit cards.
What if I live outside the city? What geographic areas do you cover?
We serve patients within a 60 mile radius of Tucson, Nogales, and Scottsdale.
Can I get a care provider who speaks a language other than English?
Yes, Spanish speaking care providers are readily available and other languages are available on a case by case basis using available community interpretive services.
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