Nancy Diller-Shively, RN President & CEO	Nurse's Notes Q. I am not comfortable making such a big decision over the phone about which home health care agency to use. Could you offer me some guidance?
A. Understandably so. While the phone can help you gain important initial information and narrow your field of selection, you and your family would probably be more comfortable making a final decision in person. Ask if the agency’s manager or nursing supervisor will meet with you and your family so that each of you may ask all of your questions in person. This will give you the opportunity to meet a representative of the agency (“interview the agency”), and have a better understanding of how they could match your needs with their staff. Such a meeting, whether at the agency, in your home, or at the hospital will provide valuable insights and knowledge on both sides.
If you would like to submit a question for consideration to be answered in this column, please fax it to 239-262-8099;  e-mail it to ndshively@Bridgeporthomehealth.com;  or mail to Bridgeport Home Health Care, 1250 Tamiami Trail N Suite 305 Naples, FL 34109.