Personal Care Assistants
Our Personal Care Assistants (PCAs) are friendly, patient, and able to assist with a variety of daily chores. Please note that a PCA is NOT a medical expert, and having a PCA does not replace the need for medical supervision.
The PCAs from North Star Health Alliance are able to perform a variety of chores to simplify daily life. All care is consistent to Plan of Care as established by a Public Health Nurse or the Agency’s Nurse. PCA duties include the following:
General Personal Care
PCA provides or assists with dressing and grooming, including but not limited to:
- bathing
- shampoo and rinsing hair
- oral hygiene
- general skin care
Meals/Feeding
Your PCA will prepare and serve meals, as appropriate. May feed patients and/or provide fluids, as directed in the Plan of Care.
Mobility and Ambulation
PCAs can assist with mobility and ambulation. Examples may include, transfers, assistance with walker use, etc.
Your PCA can perform household tasks for the client or patient with consistency to the Plan of Care, including but not limited to:
- changing bed linen
- washing dishes
- vacuuming and dust-mopping floors
- dusting furniture
- grocery shopping
- emptying trash
Toileting Activities
Your PCA will assist, as appropriate, with the changing of diapers or the use of a bedpan, commode, or toilet.
Preventative Care
- Taking and recording oral, rectal and auxiliary temperatures, pulse and respiration and/or blood pressure.
- Turning and re-positioning bed-bound patients
- Providing preventative skin care techniques including back-rubs and other measures.
- Performing range-of-motion exercises and other simple procedures as instructed by the therapist or nurse.
- Assisting in the self-administration of medication.*
*PCAs can not administer medicine. They can merely assist the patient or client.
Miscellaneous Duties
All PCAs must use personal protective equipment when completing tasks where contact with blood or body fluids is a possibility.
Our PCAs spend time talking to their patients, and socializing with them. Not only does this help the PCA to more quickly detect any deterioration in physical or mental health, but a variety of diversion-type activities help to promote activity of the mind and self-esteem of our patients and clients.
Insurance Information
North Star Health Alliance is an approved and contracted Medicare & Medicaid provider.
Insurance carriers accepted for PCA Choice services are: HealthPartners, Medical Assistance, and UCare.
Insurance carriers accepted for adult daycare services are: HealthPartners, UCare, Medical Assistance, Medica, and Blue Cross Blue Shield – Disclaimer: Patients must have/qualify for Elderly or CADI Waiver.
Private pay patients are accepted as well.
Contact North Star Health Alliance
Phone:
(651) 292-1284
Address:
388 Western Ave. North, St. Paul, MN 55103
Email:
info@nshallc.com
