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WHAT IS HOME HEALTH CARE OR HOME HEALTH SERVICES (MEDICAL)?
Just as the name implies, home health care is the ability to provide skilled services in the patient's home. The patient  must be considered homebound in order to receive home health care. Generally speaking, a patient will be considered homebound if they have condition due to an illness or injury that restricts their ability to leave their place of residence. Absences from the home must be infrequent and of a short duration. These absences may include absences for medical treatment and/or services at an adult day care that is licensed or certified by the State, or accredited, to furnish adult day care services.
Most experts agree that the home is the best environment for healing. Patients can benefit from home health care by alleviating the need for extended stays in a hospital or a nursing home.
WHO QUALIFIES FOR HOME HEALTH CARE?
A Person Who Is:
- Homebound
- In need of the skilled services of a nurse or therapist
- In need of care on an intermittent basis
- Medically unstable
- Under the care of a physician
WHEN WOULD A PERSON NEED HOME CARE?
A patient may require home care after hospitalization or a flare of their medical condition (i.e. diabetes, heart, or lung problems). Sometimes, the patient needs dressing changes or special skilled treatments. Intravenous infusions of antibiotics or nutritional substances are other services that may require home care visits. Some patients need therapy when they are unsteady, having joint replacements surgery or have difficulty walking and are at risk for falls.
HOW MUCH DOES HOME HEALTH CARE COST?
Home health care is covered by Medicare (Either Part A or B) and most private insurance. Medicare and private insurance companies pay for many of the costs incurred with home health nurses, home health aides and therapy services.
If you don't meet the admitting criteria or are opting for a service not covered by your insurer, you may elect to pay "out of pocket" for services.
ISN'T HOME HEALTH JUST FOR SENIORS?
There is no age range for clients of home health care agencies. Generally, senior citizens are the greater portion of our patients, but many people who need assistance receive home care at any age for themselves, their parents, grandparents, or families. It all depends on your needs.
HOW DO I KNOW WHAT SERVICES I NEED?
The services you receive are generally prescribed by your physician. In most cases, the doctor will recommend home healthcare. A nurse and/or therapist are sent to the patient’s home from the agency. The field staff along with the doctor, patient, and the agency clinical supervisor, determine what services would benefit the patient most.
HOW IS MY TREATMENT DETERMINED?
The nurse and or therapist will develop a plan of care with you and your family to return you to your previous level of wellness. Together, you will work toward your goals. You will learn about your medical condition and safety measures in the home. If you need any type of treatment in the home (i.e. dressing change), the nurse will perform the dressing change and also teach either you or a family member the proper method to avoid the risk of infection.
The nurse will coordinate your care by enlisting the help of the therapists, dieticians, home health aids or social workers if needed. The nurse will oversee the care provided by our certified home health aides on an intermittent basis.
Submitted by Los Robles Homecare Services
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