Home health care is skilled, medical healthcare services that are provided by trained professionals in the patient's home. Home health care is for individuals who are experiencing a change in their health status and require intervention by professional nurses or therapists with goals to return to their prior level of functioning. Home health care is always performed under the direction of a physician.
Home health care is not 24 hour care in the home; rather, it is short-term, intermittent care. Upon admission to home health care services, a physician directed plan of care is developed by a Registered Nurse. This care plan will determine the frequency and duration of home visits by the necessary disciplines.
Home health care services are usually covered by Medicare, Medicare HMOs, Medicaid, commercial health insurance policies, the V.A. and Workman’s Compensation. In most cases, pre-approval is required.
Home Health Care may be right for your loved one if they:
- Received a new diagnosis such as diabetes, COPD, heart failure, stroke, cancer or other.
- Experienced hospitalization due to joint replacement or other surgery.
- Have frequent medication changes.
- Are experiencing uncontrolled pain, blood sugars, or shortness of breath.
- Have been diagnosed with a terminal condition.
- Are having sudden difficulty with Activities of Daily Living (bathing, dressing, walking, etc.)
- Are making frequent visits to the doctor.
- Find it considerably taxing/exhausting for him/her to leave home.