If you are making your own arrangements for home and community services, this checklist provides questions to consider as you gather information about provider organizations in your area.
| |
PROVIDER 1 |
PROVIDER 2 |
| SERVICE FEATURES |
| What is the exact service that will be provided? |
|
|
What are the days of operation?
(e.g., some meal services are only provided during weekdays and not on weekends) |
|
|
What are the hours of operation?
(e.g., during the day only? Or during the night?) |
|
|
What are the limitations of the service?
(e.g., what is not provided?) |
|
|
| ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS |
| What is required to get started? What is the application process? |
|
|
| Who is your contact person to discuss the services you are going to receive? |
|
|
| Can you get a contract in writing that outlines the expectations of both parties (i.e., client and provider) and describes the terms for services, how they will provided, and if applicable, the cost? |
|
|
| SERVICE DELIVERY |
| What types of staff or volunteers provide the service? Are they specially trained? |
|
|
| If the services are on a visiting basis, will the same person come regularly? If not, how do you know who will be coming? |
|
|
| Who will supervise the staff or volunteer(s) providing the care? |
|
|
| Does the provider have liability insurance to cover incidents or accidents? |
|
|
| Are there other precautions the provider has taken to ensure your security and that of the staff coming to your home? |
|
|
| COSTS |
| What is the cost? How are the costs calculated? Am I expected to pay a fee for this service? |
|
|
Am I eligible for any costs to be covered by the provincial or federal government
(e.g., veteran's benefits?) |
|
|
| Do I have any private insurance plan(s) that might pay for some of the costs? |
|
|
| Am I eligible for fee subsidies? |
|
|
| How will I be billed? |
|
|
| QUALITY INFORMATION |
| Has the provider been accredited by an external organizations such as the Canadian Council on Health Services Accreditation or ISO? |
|
|
| Is the provider a member of a provincial association (e.g., OCSA, OHHCPA or OANHSS)? |
|
|
| CONTACT INFORMATION |
| Who is the main contact for general information? |
|
|
| Who is the contact person if you want to change the arrangements? |
|
|
| Who is the contact if you have a problem or complaint? Is there a clear process to follow if you have to contact the administrator? |
|
|