Home4Life In-Home Services

Independence and Confidentiality

 

As people age, activities of daily living, ADL, may decline. The goal of Home Care is to encourage independence by guiding the client to certain skill sets that enable them to be independent.

 

Individuals who receive Home Care are vulnerable in many ways and it is the responsibility of the agency to protect them. The Health Insurance Portability and Assurance Act, HIPAA (1996), allows the private information to be protected. Individuals can feel comfortable with sharing their information such as name, DOB, SSN, address and medical history.

 

 

Questions and Answers

 

 

 

Q: How many ADL's are there?

 

 

There are 6 ADL's: Eating, Dressing, Bathing, Toileting, Transferring and Continence

 

Q: What are ways to encourage independence with ADL's?

 

Professionals may suggest adaptive equipment such as grabbing mechanisms, dressing sticks/reacher, modified zipper pulls, long shoe and stocking assistance, modified bathtubs or stairs into the tub.

 

 

Q: What is the easiest way to ensure that HIPAA becomes a simple process to follow?

 

HIPAA should be ingrained into the culture of the agency. Everything the Professional does should be surrounded by HIPAA. Clients and family of clients should inquire about the agency's efforts to comply with HIPAA.

 

Q: What is best practice regarding ADL's?

 

Professionals should allow the client to perform certain tasks by themselves so the Professional is able to see what may work best for the client. The idea is not to change anything but to enhance the client's ability to remain independent and assist where needed.

Q: Who should have access to a client's protected health information?

 

Only Professionals who have a genuine need for access to such information. The client should be made aware of these persons and potential persons prior to care. Client's may also designate persons to have access. Clients should understand the designated person's motive/need for wanting the access.

 

Tips for HIPAA Habits:

 

• Discuss the client's care in a private place

• Be aware of how loud you are talking

• Make sure phone conversations are discreet/You can never be sure who you are talking to

• When using shared office equipment, retrieve information immediately

• Store client records in a secure area

• Conceal all records, even if they are being used

 

 

Note: Information provided is only intended as guides and is not intended to be medical/legal advice. Home4Life In-Home Services reserves the right to modify this information at any time. If there are topics you would like added, please use the contact form.