The Importance of Home Care Services
Being a home care provider is an incredibly fulfilling role that can enrich someone’s life. We all know that as people age, they tend to need more assistance in their daily lives. And when Veterans who have served our nation can’t find sufficient care to live comfortably, it’s important for organizations like AVCC to lead a community effort that supports our most vulnerable population.
That’s exactly what happens when clients contact us. We partner with an expansive network of providers nationwide so Veterans and surviving spouses have an easier time finding support in their area. We’re always seeking providers to join our network and provide essential services.
What Services Can a Home Care Provider Offer?
Home care providers wear many hats and can assist in plenty of ways. They help with:
- Transportation
- Bathing, Grooming, & Hygiene
- Toileting & Incontinence
- Companionship
- Moderate Housekeeping & Laundry
- Medication and Feeding Reminders
- Grocery Shopping & Meal Preparation
- Mobility Assistance
- Companionship
The Difference Between a Home Care Provider and a Home Health Care Provider
While “home care provider” and “home health care provider” are often used interchangeably, they fulfill different roles.
Home health care providers take a more clinical route and perform skilled medical services. To administer care, these home health aids must meet the service requirements set by their state. These services often treat chronic medical conditions and provide medical home care to seniors who have returned from the hospital.
On the other hand, home care services have less rigorous requirements and are considered unskilled work that helps older adults complete everyday tasks while remaining at home. Thankfully, Veterans and their surviving spouses can reap the benefits of both services. While home health aides may visit seniors and offer specific nursing care, physical therapy, and other clinical services, home care providers can also provide services one would find in a nursing home or an assisted living facility.
Who’s Eligible to Become a Home Care Provider?
Because home care services are so flexible, anyone can become a home care provider. Whether skilled or unskilled workers, as long as they have the proper guidance, resources, and have earned the certification to work for a home care agency, they can provide services. Many children, spouses, and extended relatives even sign up to become home care providers just to take care of the seniors in their lives.
Many Veterans need immediate assistance. Learn more about getting your clients the care they need quickly.
The Steps to Becoming a Home Care Provider
If becoming a home care provider sounds like the right path for you, you can work with American Veterans Care Connection and complete the following steps:
1. Obtain Your Certification
The first step to becoming a home care provider is to obtain the necessary certifications. While you do not need a degree or formal medical training, depending on your state, you may need to pass a test offered by an accredited healthcare program. This is especially true for providers who decide to work for agencies reimbursed by Medicare or Medicaid.
2. Connect With AVCC
Whether you’re a family member of a Veteran or a business offering home care services, partner with AVCC. Start with an application detailing your contact information and overall goals. If you’re simply providing services to a loved one, we’ll quickly get in touch and help provide extra resources so you can provide adequate care and receive the necessary perks you’re entitled to, like VA Aid and Attendance benefits. For example, family members of wartime Veterans who have suffered injuries may be entitled to caregiver benefits that include a monthly stipend, covered travel expenses, health insurance, and mental health services and counseling.
And if you have a home care business, we’ll help improve your clientele base by spreading the word to the surrounding community about your services. You’ll get all the resources and guidance you need to help grow your business.
3. Take Advantage of the Provider Portal
One of the great things about our services is the ease and accessibility home care providers can take advantage of with our helpful Provider Portal. You can find lots of helpful information and tools like our marketing and sales best practices boot camps. You’ll also have access to our extensive library of forms and information on topics like VA Aid and Attendance that’ll help increase client satisfaction.
Key Takeaways
We can’t stress enough how important and fulfilling being a home care provider can be. If you’re considering becoming one, you should remember that:
- Veterans have made great sacrifices for our nation, and providing home care for military service members is a great way to give back to the community.
- While home care providers and home health aides provide various services, they play very different roles.
Becoming a home care provider is a simple and accessible route and can be done in only a few steps. - Partnering with an organization like AVCC is one of the most efficient ways to grow your clientele and increase customer satisfaction.
Serve Your Community With Compassion and Partner With AVCC
At AVCC, we believe in making life comfortable for those who need it most. For many Veterans, navigating the many benefits they’re entitled to is challenging. But with the help of services like ours, Veterans and their families can have ultimate peace of mind.
Have more questions about AVCC and our services? Contact us today.
