FAQ

A.

On your first visit you can expect the following:

I.

Arrive at your appointment with your paperwork completed (you can download the forms on our website -- look for patient center and click patient forms).

II.

We will photocopy your Valid I.D and Insurance card.

III.

Our caring staff will get your temperature check in accordance to COVID-19 screening guidelines.

IV.

You will be seen for the initial evaluation of our Therapist.

V.

During your evaluation your therapist will ask questions about your medical history, current pain or injury, medications, tests and procedures related to your health, and your goals.

VI.

Your movement, coordination, and strength will also be evaluated. Our purpose is to help you, ensure to communicate to your therapist if anything hurting or bothering you during the evaluation.

VII.

The therapist will recommend a course of treatment to ensure your fast recovery.

VIII.

Evaluation may last for 30 to 60 minuets.

IX.

You will schedule your visits with our caring staff. The amount of visits/ therapy needed depends on the order recommendations of your therapist.

X.

Your therapist will then submit their findings and treatment plan to your referring physician.

A.

Make sure to bring the following:

I.

Valid ID and Insurance card.

II.

We will photocopy your Valid I.D and Insurance card.

III.

List of Medications.

IV.

Copies will be collected on the day of your evaluation.

A.

You should wear loose fitting clothing so that you can move comfortably.

A.

Treatment sessions typically last between 60 to 90 minutes per visit.

A.

Approved number of visits depends on your insurance. Example, MEDICARE approves 20 to 24 visits.

A.

In most cases, your health insurance will pay for your treatment. Click on our insurance link above for a summary of insurances we accept.

A.

You will be evaluated by one of our licensed and highly trained physical therapists and he/she will also treat you during subsequent visits, we feel it is very important to develop a one-on-one relationship with you to maintain continuity of care.

A.

Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation - A small percentage of physical therapists practice in this discipline. Those that pass the board certification have the title of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Certified Specialist (CCS) work with patients who have had heart attacks, bypass surgeries, angioplasty, breathing problems, emphysema, and other heart/lung related conditions. Physical therapists are well equipped to work with these types of patients because many of them have orthopedic ailments that limit their ability to function. In other words, a physical therapist can address the heart and lung problems as well as the muscle problems that are concurrently present.

A.

Some patients will need to continue with home exercises. Some may choose to continue with a gym exercise program. Others will complete their rehabilitation and return to normal daily activities. It is important that you communicate your goals to your therapist so they can develop the right and best program for you.

A.

Physical therapists (PTs) and physical therapist assistants (PTAs) are licensed by their respective states.

A.

We are open Monday to Friday from 8 am to 5 pm.

A.

Home health care is a wide range of health care services that can be given in your home for an illness or injury. Home health care is usually less expensive, more convenient, and just as effective as the care you get in a hospital or skilled nursing facility.

A.

Once we received a referral from your physician, the clinician will contact you for evaluation within 48 to 72 hours. We will come to your home to complete an assessment, and our clinical team will discuss your plan of care.

B.

Good Shepherd Home Health Services will admit you only if agency is able to provide care appropriate to your needs. If the agency is unable to meet your needs, the agency will assist you/ your significant other in location resources of your choice that can provide the needed services.

A.

The cost of service varies on case-to-case basis. Please call our office and our caring staff will be happy to discuss cost of our services and payment options for you.

A.

Wound care for all kinds of wound specializing in wound vacuum.

B.

Intravenous therapy and Blood Draw.

C.

Nutrition Therapy.

D.

Injections.

E.

Monitoring serious illness and unstable health issues.

F.

Home Medication.

G.

Home Health Education.

H.

Home Safety Assistance.

I. Home Exercises

A.

No, we can provide our services Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. There is always a local on-call manager who can answer your questions and address any concerns after hours.

A.

All nurses and therapists who visit your home go through a rigorous interview and screening process, as well as a background checks and license verification.  Our clinical staff are regularly supervised and evaluated to insure that you or your loved one is receiving the care and attention they deserve.

A. Hospice is a philosophy of care. It treats the person rather than the disease and focuses on quality of life. It surrounds the patient and family with a team consisting of professionals who only not address physical distress, but emotional and spiritual issues as well.

B. Hospice care is patient-centered because the needs of the patient and family drive the activities of the hospice team.

C. Hospice specializes in easing pain, discomfort, and distress on all levels.

D. Good Shepherd Hospice Care exists to provide quality, compassionate, safe and cost-effective Hospice Care services to those individuals with a life limiting illness.

A. Hospice and palliative care are interdisciplinary, collaborative approaches to healthcare. Personalized care plans are developed in consultation with each patient based on his or her specific needs and wishes. The goal is to provide the best quality of life possible, for as long as life lasts. You and your family are the most importantpart of a team that may also include:

I.

Doctors

II.

Nurses or nurse practitioners

III.

Counselors

IV.

Social workers

V.

Pharmacists

VI.

Physical and occupational therapists

VII.

Speech-language pathologists

VIII.

Hospice aides

IX.

Homemakers

X.

Volunteers

X.

Durable medical equipment

X.

Medical supplies

X.

Drug symptom control or pain relief

X.

Dietary counseling

X.

Grief and loss counseling for you and your family

X.

Short-term inpatient care

X.

Short-term respite care

B. A hospice doctor is part of your medical team. You can also choose to include your regular doctor, a nurse practitioner, or a physician's assistant in your medical team as the attending medical professional who supervises your care.

A. Hospice is appropriate for people with progressive, life-limiting illnesses who want to focus on enjoying their remaining time with family and friends. To this end, hospice provides effective pain and symptom management.

B. If your health continues to worsen despite aggressive treatment, or if you’ve simply decided that you’re tired of hospital visits and exhausting procedures, you may want to consider hospice.

A. There are also specific hospice eligibility criteria to consider based on the patient’s primary diagnosis. Choosing from the list of diseases below will let you read the applicable requirements for hospice care.

I.

AIDS

II.

CANCER

III.

Cerebral Vascular Accident (CVA)/Stroke

IV.

Congestive Heart Failure/Cardiopulmonary disease

V.

COPD/Cardiopulmonary disease

VI.

Dementia

VII.

Liver Disease

VIII.

Neurological Conditions (non-Alzheimer's dementia, Parkinson's disease, Multiple Sclerosis, ALS, and Huntington's disease)

IX.

Renal Disease

X.

Adult Failure to Thrive (AFT)

A. Medicare and Medicaid cover your hospice services and are provided regardless of your ability to pay.

I.

For more information, visit: https://www.medicare.gov/pubs/pdf/02154-medicare-hospice-benefits.pdf

A. Most hospice patients prefer to remain at home — which may be a private residence, assisted living center or nursing home.

A. With hospice, the patient is in control. You can consult with your family and physician, then decide what type of care you receive. Anyone close to the patient may contact Good Shepherd Hospice Care to ask about hospice services or make a referral. But the patient must choose hospice for themselves.

A. Good Shepherd Hospice Care will receive patient referral from physician.

B. A registered nurse will call to schedule a visit.

C. They will review the patient/family handbook, full of valuable information about your hospice care.

D. At your first visit, they will complete a comprehensive assessment and make recommendations to your hospice physician for medications and treatments to enhance your comfort and safety.

E. Upon admission, your formulary medications will be ordered from our pharmacy.

F. Your covered medical equipment and supplies will be delivered within 24 hours of admission.

G. Good Shepherd Hospice Care provides durable medical equipment as a service for our patients’ comfort; however, all medical equipment is the property of Good Shepherd Hospice Care, and the equipment will need to be returned when Good Shepherd Hospice Care is no longer providing care.

A. Please call our office and our caring staff will be happy to assist you.

B. We will have our caring staff come to your home and conduct a free assessment to identify if Personal Care Assistance service is the right service for you.

C. We will then, at your direction, identify the caregivers who have the skills, personality, and availability to assist you.

D. You will then be able to meet the caregiver, and if you approve, they will begin working with you.

A. Good Shepherd Personal Care Assistance provides companion care and personal care services. Our Personal Care services are designed to provide assistance with those activities that elders need help within order to be able to stay at home safely and with dignity. Our Personal care services may include medication and fluids reminders, light housekeeping and laundry, grooming or bathing assistance, eating assistance and recreational activities.

A. Generally, services can be provided within a 24-hour period, and often the same day.

A. Changes in schedule can be easily accomplished by giving us one-week notice. Our philosophy is to make the schedule work for the family, not the agency. You are our priority. Your needs, requests, and schedule come first. We will do everything possible to make sure the schedule you want is the schedule you get.

A. “Unskilled” or “Non-medical” care typically refers to companion and personal care activities such as bathing, grooming, dressing, as well as assistance with meal preparation, light housekeeping, and running errands. It could also include medication reminders, assistance with ambulation, and transportation to medical appointments. These types of services are typically provided by Home Health Aides (HHAs) or Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) or Personal Care Assistance/Caregivers (PCA) and can be arranged for anywhere from a few hours to 24-hours aday. “Unskilled” or “Non-medical” care is often sought by the elderly, new and expectant parents, individuals with disabilities, and those transitioning from a hospital or medical facility to home.

A. Yes. We can provide services up to 24 hours a day and there is always a local on-call manager who can answer your questions and address any concerns after hours.

A. The cost of service varies on case-to-case basis. Please call our office and our caring staff will be happy to discuss cost of our services and payment options for you.