One of the advantages of home health care is the ability to not only serve clients in their homes, but to provide care for a variety of health needs. Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, professional home care services have been on the front lines, and from what our guest, Donna DeBlois, RN, BSW, MSB, MBA, AHCH, CEO and president of MaineHealth Care at Home says, are meeting this call head on.

We discuss:

• What consumers can expect when looking for care at home
• How home care is prepared to provide services for COVID positive clients
• The role of technology in delivering great care
• How the home care industry provides information and education on the benefits of care at home

Below are some highlights from our conversation:

• [1:55] MaineHealth Care at Home helps meet a wide variety of patient care needs in locations, covering nearly 2 million miles annually.
• [4:15] To help meet the needs of COVID-positive patients, Donna explains how a cohort of staff have been specially trained to provide care and ensure safety.
• [7:05] Because of the constant changes during the pandemic, Donna helps staff stay informed about universal precautions and safety measures through daily briefings.
• [10:30] The expanded role of telehealth has been vitally important during the pandemic. Technology is a great way to reach more clients, ensure safety and have continued contact.
• [13:20] Donna explains how consumers can activate home care.
• [15:40] Telehealth can be provided with less physical contact but with the same clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction.
• [18:45] The home care industry works tirelessly to educate consumers about the many benefits of care in the home for clients, families, and the health care system.

After listening to today’s episode, I think you’ll feel confident and comfortable that home care is meeting the ever-changing needs of clients and adapting protocols to ensure the safety of clients and caregivers. While there are lots of changes going on in the world during the pandemic, I feel as convinced as ever that care at home continues to be a safe option for older adults.

You can listen to today’s episode here, or on Apple Podcasts, Google,  YouTube or wherever you listen to podcasts.

To learn more about making an informed decision about home care for older adults who want to age in place, listen to my interview with Jeannee Parker Martin, president and CEO of LeadingAge California. Jeannee discusses who on the health care team can help activate home care services, and the role of a care manager and payment options, including whether services are covered by Medicare or Medicaid.

If this episode has been helpful, be sure to leave a five-star review and share the podcast with your friends to help us in the national effort to educate about home health care options! You can connect with me, Merrily Orsini, on Twitter @MerrilyO.

s services.