NCA Service Overview: Caregiver Analysis

Individuals with special care needs face unique challenges requiring complex solutions to ensure the highest possible care and quality of life. Paid caregivers play a vital role in solving these challenges, but hiring and managing this support team can be daunting for clients, their families and their advisors. Initiating this process can raise many important questions, including:

• What type of caregiver is appropriate for the client’s unique needs?
• Do they have the skills required to meet these needs?
• Can a client’s friend or family member be hired as a caregiver?
• How much support is needed to establish the care schedule?
• What is the appropriate pay rate in the community?
• What is the best way to pay caregivers?
• What happens if they fail to show up?

Ultimately, one of the most pressing questions on the client’s loved ones' minds is, “Can we trust this caregiver?”

At National Care Advisors, our team of experienced Nurse Consultants can provide a Caregiver Analysis to help individuals, their families, and advisors analyze the client's unique needs, determine the appropriate level of care needed, locate a top-quality caregiving professional and develop a comprehensive caregiver plan to ensure care and quality of life needs are met.

A Caregiver Analysis is a thorough, multi-step process that involves an in-person assessment and analysis of acute medical care needs and quality of life requirements as specified by the client, family, medical providers and/or legal representative. This initial assessment follows a review of all provided medical documentation, medical bill history, and expert evaluations pertinent to the case. Additionally, we review the current utilization and future availability of all third-party payer sources the client can receive. These components are combined with an evaluation of market rates for necessary caregiver services in the local area to develop a comprehensive caregiver analysis documenting acute medical care, quality of life and long-term care needs, objectives and goals. Recommendations for the caregiver search process are provided, and our consultants can locate, vet and hire the necessary caregivers. Ongoing support can be provided through hourly case management to ensure the established goals and standards are met.

Recently, a long-term client required temporary adjustments to their care arrangements as his sister, the primary caregiver, was going on maternity leave. NCA conducted a Caregiver Analysis to establish an appropriate salary for the client's father to accommodate this transitional period. During the assessment, the nurse consultant identified that the respite services from a Medicaid Waiver had not been utilized due to a shortage of available providers. In addition, only 172 of the approved 215 attendant hours were being used. With NCA's advocacy, a respite provider was identified by transitioning the waiver to a consumer-directed model, and another family member was engaged to deliver the 43 hours of attendant care that had not been utilized previously. Our analysis and case management support not only helped resolve the client's care needs but also helped maximize the available benefits, saving the client significant private funds.

 Is your client or loved one in need of skilled, reliable caregivers? Are they considering hiring a friend or family member to fill this need? Contact National Care Advisors today to discuss how our Caregiver Analysis can help you develop a long-term, sustainable Caregiver plan!