Q: My mother recently became very ill because her home health aide mixed up her medications. The agency is telling me they are not liable for this. Is that true? And, is there a place to report them so this doesn’t happen to someone else?
Paula Wilson, North Kingstown
A: First of all, a home health aide is not licensed to administer medications. Only a nurse can administer medications in the home. Home health aides can only remind patients to take their medication from a medication reminder box.
That said, the Department of Health agency licensure rules require agencies to maintain liability insurance for their nurses. Therefore, if the agency’s nurse administered the medication incorrectly, some coverage should be available.
To answer the second part of your question, the Alliance for Better Long Term Care is the consumer advocate for long term care issues. Start by reporting your grievance to them at:
422 Post Road, Warwick, RI, 02888 or (401) 785-3340.
Q: My mother is in a rehabilitation facility for post acute care following a hip replacement. The facility also has a home care company affiliated with it. They’re recommending that we use their agency. Any advice?
A: First of all, it’s illegal for a discharge planner to recommend only one option to Medicare patients. Ultimately what matters most is the quality of care the agency provides so you should explore several options.
If you have friends or family members that have used home care services, ask them for references as well as your physician, and go to www.medicare.gov/homehealthcompare where you’ll be able to compare agencies in your area rated by how they do on quality assessment criteria. Then call a select few directly to find out more about their services.
Petra Wilkinson, East Providence