A Consumer’s Guide to Homemaker-Home Health Aides

1 homemaker -HomeHealth AidesA consumer s Guide toHomemaker-HomeHealth AidesPublished by theNew Jersey Office of the Attorney GeneralDivision of consumer AffairsNew Jersey Board of of ContentsTable of ContentsTable of ContentsTable of ContentsTable of ContentsIntroduction .. 1 New Jersey Board of Nursing s Responsibilities .. 2 Choosing a Certified Homemaker-Home Health Aide:Determining What Services You Will Need .. 3 Employment Settings for Homemaker-Home Health Aides .. 4 The Certified Homemaker-Home Health AideMust Meet These Requirements .. 5 What You Need to Know About ObtainingCertified Homemaker-Home Health Aide Services .. 6 Providers of Health Care Services in New Jersey .. 7 Summary .. 8 Resources for Questions and Complaints .. 9 Division of consumer Affairs/New Jersey Board of Nursing Complaint Form .. (insert)Please Note:Please Note:Please Note:Please Note:Please Note: Health Care Services firms employ certified homemaker -HomeHealth Aides and assist them in obtaining employment.

2 These firmsmust be registered with the Division of consumer using a Health care services firm, we recommendthat you check the Division of consumer AffairsRegistry of Licensed and Registered Employment Agencies at : Click on the HealthCare Service Firm bookmark to see a listing of registered Health careservices firms. You also may call 973-504-6370 to check theregistration status of a informed decisions about home Health care andHomemaker- home Health Aides is critical when you or a lovedone needs Health care services in the home . This Guide will help byproviding you with the information that is necessary to ensure thatyour decision is based on an understanding of the role, services andresponsibilities of a Homemaker-Home Health Aide, as well as thetraining and credentials required of extensive list of resources to obtain additional informationis included in this Jersey Board of Nursing sNew Jersey Board of Nursing sNew Jersey Board of Nursing sNew Jersey Board of Nursing sNew Jersey Board of Nursing sResponsibilitiesResponsibilitiesRespons ibilitiesResponsibilitiesResponsibilitie sThe New Jersey Board of Nursing is mandated to protect thehealth, safety and welfare of New Jersey New Jersey Nursing Practice Act mandates the Board to: Prescribe standards and curricula for homemaker -HomeHealth Aide education and training programs; review andapprove training programs; and suspend or revoke programapprovals as warranted.

3 Require that a Registered Professional Nurse ( ) developand supervise the plan of care implemented by the CertifiedHomemaker- home Health Aide ( ). Certify Homemaker-Home Health Aides when the requiredtraining course is successfully completed and a promise ofemployment is provided to the Board from a New Jersey-licensed home Health care agency. The Aide must renewhis or her certificate every two years. When warranted, theBoard may suspend or revoke a Homemaker-Home HealthAide s certification. Conduct criminal history background checks on allHomemaker- home Health Aides applying for certificationand renewal of certification. Establish and maintain a registry of individuals whocomplete the required training and have been a Certified Homemaker-Home HealthChoosing a Certified Homemaker-Home HealthChoosing a Certified Homemaker-Home HealthChoosing a Certified Homemaker-Home HealthChoosing a Certified Homemaker-Home HealthAide: Determining What Services You NeedAide: Determining What Services You NeedAide: Determining What Services You NeedAide: Determining What Services You NeedAide: Determining What Services You Need3 Before purchasing home care services, discuss the care you willrequire with your nurse, doctor or hospital discharge planner to be sureyou understand exactly what type of service you require.

4 Health care services are provided by Registered ProfessionalNurses ( ), Licensed Practical Nurses ( ), andother providers such as occupational therapists, physicaltherapists, respiratory therapists, dieticians and socialworkers. A New Jersey Registered Professional Nurse designs theplan of care and delegates responsibilities to and supervisespersonal or assistive services provided by the assists the nurse by providing personal careand homemaker services such as bathing, dressing, toileting,personal meal preparation, feeding, light laundering for thepatient, tidying the patient s room, as well as exerciseregimens and errands. Generally, housekeeping services such as shopping,cooking, and laundering for the family are not provided bya These services are more appropriatelyprovided by a housekeeper, companion or domestic serviceprovider.

5 Certified Homemaker-Home Health Aides must beemployed by a New Jersey-licensed home Health careservices agency. A certified Homemaker-Home Health Aidemay not work Settings forEmployment Settings forEmployment Settings forEmployment Settings forEmployment Settings forHomemaker- home Health AidesHomemaker- home Health AidesHomemaker- home Health AidesHomemaker- home Health AidesHomemaker- home Health Aides The New Jersey Nursing Practice Act was amended in 1999 to clarifyemployment settings for Certified Homemaker-Home Health Aides . ACertified Homemaker-Home Health Aide is employed by a NewJersey-licensed home Health care services agency and performsdelegated nursing regimens or nursing tasks delegated through theauthority of a duly licensed Registered Professional following are facilities which may employ CertifiedHomemaker- home Health Aides provided that they are licensed by theState of New Jersey: home Health agencies; assisted living residences; comprehensive personal care homes, assisted living programs,hospices or alternate family care providers licensed by the NewJersey Department of Health and Senior Services; nonprofit organizations.

6 And Health care service firms regulated by the Director of theDivision of consumer Affairs in the New Jersey Office of theAttorney Certified Homemaker-Home Health AideThe Certified Homemaker-Home Health AideThe Certified Homemaker-Home Health AideThe Certified Homemaker-Home Health AideThe Certified Homemaker-Home Health AideMust Meet These Requirements:Must Meet These Requirements:Must Meet These Requirements:Must Meet These Requirements:Must Meet These Requirements:1. Completion of a Homemaker-Home Health Aide course approved bythe New Jersey Board of completion of a competency evaluation by a NewJersey-licensed home Health care services Hold a current and valid certification by the New Jersey Board ofNursing as a Homemaker-Home Health Aide. The certificate will havea State of New Jersey Seal and date of expiration; certificates expireevery two years. Should you have any questions concerning s certification, you should call the New Jersey Board ofNursing at of the federal and state criminal history background Employment by a home care services agency, as defined on page Supervision by a licensed Registered Professional You Need to Know About ObtainingWhat You Need to Know About ObtainingWhat You Need to Know About ObtainingWhat You Need to Know About ObtainingWhat You Need to Know About Obtaining Certified Homemaker-Home Health Aide ServicesCertified Homemaker-Home Health Aide ServicesCertified Homemaker-Home Health Aide ServicesCertified Homemaker-Home Health Aide ServicesCertified Homemaker-Home Health Aide Services6 Be InformedBeing informed about services before a Health carecrisis arises will save you time and money, reduce stress and allowyou to make an educated may be obtained by talking with your doctor.

7 Nurse,hospital discharge planner, community home Health care agency orhospital home care department. You may also checktelephone listings under home Health Services. Remember: a Certified Homemaker-Home Health Aide mustalways be supervised by an Agency Licensing/AccreditationIf you select a home care provider licensed by a State agency, thereare laws to protect your consumer agencies are professional groups that establish and moni-tor voluntary, industrywide standards to ensure that patients receivequality home Health care services. (See page 10 for a list of accredit-ing agencies). InsuranceAsk whether the home care agency protects its workers andpatients with insurance coverage such as Workers Compensation and liability insurance. If the agency does not provideinsurance coverage, you will need to determine the types ofinsurance coverage you will be required to supply in order to sure you understand the specifics of your own or the patient shealth insurance coverage.

8 Tax Information When Hiring Private CareIf you hire an individual privately, meaning an individual who isneither certified nor employed by a New Jersey-licensed home healthcare services agency, you should be aware that you are required bylaw to pay withholding taxes, Social Security and disability paymentsfor that individual. Also, you should recognize that this individualwill not have undergone a criminal history background BY THE DIVISIONOF consumer AFFAIRSNew Jersey Board of NursingNew Jersey Board of NursingState Board of Physical TherapyOccupational Therapy AdvisoryCouncilState Board of Respiratory CareAudiology and Speech-LanguagePathology Advisory CommitteeState Board of Social Work ExaminersCERTIFIED BYNew Jersey Board of NursingDepartment of Health and SeniorServicesThis certification is for Nurse Aides whowork in nursing homes and assistedliving facilities. This certification cannotbe substituted for the New Jersey Boardof Nursing s CERTIFIEDNot certified to provide personal or healthcare services, but may providehousekeeping certified to provide personal or healthcare services, but may provide lighthousekeeping and services not related tohealth or cleaning serviceCompanionProviders of Health Care Services in New JerseyProviders of Health Care Services in New JerseyProviders of Health Care Services in New JerseyProviders of Health Care Services in New JerseyProviders of Health Care Services in New JerseyHEALTH CARE PERSONNELR egistered Professional NurseLicensed Practical Nurse(973) 504-6430 Physical Therapist(973) 504-6379 Occupational Therapist(973) 504-6570 Respiratory Care Practitioner(973) 504-6485 Speech Therapist(973) 504-6269 Social Worker(973) 504-6495 Certified Homemaker-Home HealthAide(973) 504-6546(973) 424-8146 Certified Nurse Aide(609)

9 633-90518 SummarySummarySummarySummarySummaryCaref ully select a home Health care service provider usingthe following outline as a Guide :1. Contact Medicare, Medicaid or your insurance carrierto determine which home care services are eligible Obtain and read literature describing the home healthagency s services, reimbursement procedures andpatient Select an agency that can provide the coverage you willneed. The number of service hours will be determinedby the Registered Professional Nurse and yourinsurance company. Be specific about the number ofhours (either daily or weekly) that you will need Clarify, in advance, whether the will be Be sure to contact the home care services agency withany concerns you may have related to your the New Jersey Board of Nursing to file acomplaint about a nurse or a You can reachthe Board by calling Keep thorough Health records and maintain them in aplace where others can easily locate Always keep valuables, money, jewelry and personalfinancial records in a safe Hotline1-800-624-2377 Alcohol and Drug Hotline1-800-322-5525 Alzheimer s Disease HotlineNational Alzheimer s AssociationInformation and Referral1-800-272-3900 American Associationof Retired Persons1-800-441-AARP (2277)

10 In New Jersey 609-987-0744 Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology AdvisoryCommittee973-504-6390 Department of Bankingand Insurance609-984-2777 Cancer Information Service1-800-4-CANCER(1-800-422-6237)Uni ted States Department of Healthand Human Services,Information provided in Englishand Spanish (9:00 :00 ,weekdays)New Jersey Hospice andPalliative Care Organization908-233-0060 Community Care Program for theElderly and Disabled, Adult DayCare, home Care ExpansionProgram609-943-4060 New Jersey Divisionof consumer Affairs Complaints 973-504-6200 Tel- consumer Information Service 1-800-242-5846, touch tone 973-504-6200, rotary phones Action Line 973-504-6260To report complaints againstbusinesses Elder Fraud Hotline 1-877-746-7850 Insurance Fraud Prosecutor sOffice 1-877-55-FRAUDNew Jersey Division ofCriminal JusticeDental ServicesDental Program for Seniors1-800-792-8820 Answered by New Jersey Departmentof Health & Senior Services for theNew Jersey Dental SocietyDomestic Violence Hotline1-800-572-7233 (SAFE)