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In this episode, Barbara Andazola, VP of Clinical Practice, Strategy, and Programs at Amedisys, discusses the groundbreaking role of molecular testing in home health care. As an RN with over 27 years of nursing experience, Barbara shares how Amedisys is leveraging PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) testing to diagnose infections like UTIs, respiratory conditions, and even COVID-19 faster and more accurately at home. By identifying pathogens within hours, this technology not only improves patient outcomes but also helps prevent hospitalizations and antibiotic resistance. Barbara explores the challenges and rewards of integrating this advanced technology into home care, its impact on reducing healthcare costs, and the future possibilities for further innovation in diagnostics. Listen to this episode to learn how molecular testing is not only improving care but also driving efficiency, reducing healthcare costs, and shaping the future of home-based care—proving that innovation in home health care can lead to faster, smarter, and more precise treatment at home.

Related resources:

• Prevent hospitalizations and adverse events with AlayaCare's Client Intelligence Suite
• AlayaCare Cloud platform for Home Health providers

If you liked this episode and want to learn more about all things home-based care, you can explore all our episodes at alayacare.com/homehealth360.

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In this episode, Avanlee Christine, founder of Avanlee Care, shares the inspiring story behind her mission to support unpaid and informal family caregivers. Motivated by personal experience caring for her grandfather, Avanlee developed a groundbreaking app that empowers family members providing care to loved ones with the tools they need to ensure quality care delivery at home while also providing resources to support the wellbeing of the caregivers themselves.

Avanlee highlights the critical role of technology in supporting the often-overlooked unpaid caregivers, who are essential to caring for seniors at home, and discusses how innovations like medication management and health monitoring are reshaping senior care. She also reveals how partnerships with tech leaders like Fitbit and her collaboration with Mark Cuban are driving down costs, enhancing care, and connecting family caregivers to broader healthcare systems, plus she discusses her pilot program with Walmart that is helping family caregivers navigate daily tasks, like ordering groceries, with ease.

If you liked this episode and want to learn more about all things home-based care, you can explore all our episodes at alayacare.com/homehealth360.

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With 10,000 people turning 65 every day, it’s estimated that the home-based care industry will need a staggering 2.5 million additional care workers over the next five years. In this episode, Todd Houghton, Brand President of Homewatch CareGivers, shares his passion for franchising and discussed how his company is enabling franchisees to meet the ever-increasing demand for home-based care services by embracing the benefits of the franchise model and deploying innovative technology. Todd shares how the franchise model provides a strong position for franchisees to grow their businesses and accelerate their entrepreneurial journey and how his company has helped franchisees recruit and retain quality employees, including programs to provide training and education to develop non-traditional caregivers.

Todd also shares details about a new, technology-driven virtual care service line launched by his company that’s proven highly impactful for enriching client experience by reducing hospital visits, combating loneliness and isolation, enhancing connectivity, and delivering higher quality care all while enhancing caregiver efficiency. Check out this episode to see how franchising and technology can converge in the future to meet the continuous demand for quality home-based care.

Episode resources:

• Blog: How home care franchises can bolster franchisee relationships
• AlayaCare for franchises
• AlayaCare for franchisee management
• Homewatch Connect – Virtual home care technology

If you liked this episode and want to learn more about all things home-based care, you can explore all our episodes at alayacare.com/homehealth360.

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In this episode, healthcare finance expert Mark Patterson shares key insights into the ever-evolving world of mergers and acquisitions in home-based care. Drawing upon his time as CFO for home healthcare companies and more than 30 years of experience, Mark discusses top trends that are reshaping the market, including the growing demand for integrated care models that combine skilled and unskilled services and surging investor interest driving fierce competition among buyers. With interest rates stabilizing and regulatory changes on the horizon, agencies must focus on prioritizing and demonstrating streamlined processes, scalability, and high quality of care to attract potential buyers. Mark emphasizes how leveraging advanced technology and developing strong operational metrics will not only lead agencies to thrive but will also become key capabilities to attract potential buyers in the future.

Related resources:

• Podcast: Mastering the art of home-based care mergers, acquisitions, and integration with Jen Lentz
• Podcast: The business of mergers and acquisitions in home care with Robinson + Cole
• Blog: 4 growth strategies for home care agencies from industry experts
• Blog: Key performance indicators – The power of data in home care
• Blog: 4 ways to improve home care inefficiencies with technology
• AlayaLabs: Transforming healthcare with AI-powered predictive tools

If you liked this episode and want to learn more about all things home-based care, you can explore all our episodes at alayacare.com/homehealth360.

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In this episode, Jeff Salter, the innovative founder and CEO of Caring Senior Service, returns to the podcast to discuss the future of AI in home care and how automating tedious tasks can free up staff for more impactful activities and critical decision-making. From enhancing admissions processes and optimizing caregiver scheduling to utilizing predictive analytics for personalized care planning, Jeff shares how implementing AI-powered tools can dramatically improve agency operations, increase efficiency, reduce costs, and help deliver better client outcomes and business growth. Jeff shares his experience navigating the integration of AI solutions and recommendations for adopting these new tools, plus practical advice on experimenting with AI technologies to grow your business and stay competitive.

Episode resources

• Podcast with Jeff Salter: Closing the Gap in Senior Care with a bike ride 
• Webinar: 4 revolutionary use cases for AI in home-based care
• Podcast: Tackling home care staffing challenges with AI technology
• Blog: How AI and optimization tools are impacting home care delivery
• Blog: Embracing AI technology to recruit and retain caregivers
• Blog: Home Care Software with AI Scheduling – 5 Key Features
• How AlayaCare is revolutionizing home care with AI-based solutions to address top industry challenges
• AlayaLabs: Transforming healthcare with AI-powered predictive tools

If you liked this episode and want to learn more about all things home-based care, you can explore all our episodes at alayacare.com/homehealth360.

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From sophisticated plots by cybercriminals to unintentional data breaches from internal staff, healthcare organizations are facing more, and more severe, threats to protecting their sensitive data. In this episode, Richard Guttman, AlayaCare's Chief Legal Officer, shares insights into the current state of data security and privacy in the home care industry, including common threats, actionable prevention strategies, how to stay compliant with regulations, and helpful resources to elevate your cybersecurity preparedness and ensure the safety of your data. Richard digs deep into how organizations can fortify their defenses by mapping data flows, implementing the minimum necessary use principle, setting precise roles and permissions, using audit logs to meet regulatory standards like HIPAA and GDPR, and more.


Episode Resources

• Webinar: Ensuring data security and privacy in home-based care
• Blog: 5 proactive steps to improve the security of your home-based care data
• Guide: Evaluate the security and performance of your home-based care software
• How AlayaCare delivers best-in-class security and performance standards
• Security Center: Security & Privacy at AlayaCare

If you liked this episode and want to learn more about all things home-based care, you can explore all our episodes at alayacare.com/homehealth360.

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What is the impact of the CMS 80-20 rule and recent Medicaid rate adjustments on the home health industry? Unlock the secrets to modernizing home health operations with Jesse Howard, Vice President of Operations for Girling Personal Care.  Jesse dives deep into the financial strains and staffing challenges home health providers face, particularly in Texas, where low Medicaid reimbursement rates and competitive wages make it hard to sustain quality care. Listen in as this episode presents a comprehensive understanding of how these financial pressures affect operations and what home health agencies can do to stay competitive.

If you liked this episode and want to learn more about all things home-based care, you can explore all our episodes at alayacare.com/homehealth360.

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Whether you are an agency owner looking to enhance your financial operations or an administrator curious about how your team can better manage the fiscal realities of the home care sector, this episode is a masterclass in navigating the shifting landscapes of health care finance. Learn about navigating the complexities of Medicaid disenrollments and electronic visit verification (EVV) as Alik Kassner, co-managing partner of Alpine Homecare, provides insight into improving revenue cycle management (RCM) practices. With Alik's impressive banking and health care background, he discusses formidable obstacles, the essential role of forecasting, and how state assistance and advanced technology merge to create a robust RCM system. 

If you liked this episode and want to learn more about all things home-based care, you can explore all our episodes at alayacare.com/homehealth360.

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Home Health Consultant and CEO of Corcoran Consulting Group, Guy Tommasi, joins this episode with our host, Jeff Howell, to discuss hospital-at-home care models' growing potential. They explore sustainable, patient-centered approaches to transforming recovery, demonstrating that innovative care models surpass conventional hospital treatment by enhancing patient satisfaction and lowering expenses. Tommasi foresees a smoother fusion of traditional health care, opening new avenues for payers, providers, and patients. Listen as we reflect on our progress and anticipate the growing significance of home care in the health care sector.

Episode Resources:

• Connect with  Guy Tommasi 
• Visit Corcoran Consulting Group’s website

If you liked this episode and want to learn more about all things home-based care, you can explore all our episodes at alayacare.com/homehealth360.

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Join Executive Health Care Coach Peter Svenneby and host Erin Vallier as they explore the complex balance between managing and leading in health care. This episode offers valuable insights on creating a culture of well-being for employees and patients. They discuss the traits that make up exceptional leaders in the health care industry and provide strategies for cultivating empathy, improving communication, and maintaining work-life balance. Leaders in health care, and by extension, home-based care, will walk away with a renewed sense of purpose and a better understanding of how their actions can shape the cultural landscape of patient care.

Episode Resources:

• Visit Syntuity’s Website
• Connect with Peter Svenneby
• Listen to Ep. 47 with Dr. Louise Short and Lori Cabbage about positive work culture
• Listen to Ep. 29 with Mike McSherry about retaining and attracting great talent

If you liked this episode and want to learn more about all things home-based care, you can explore all our episodes at alayacare.com/homehealth360.