home_health_care
Q: What is home health care?
A: Home health care is ordered by your physician, usually short-term, and requires the services of licensed health professionals. Home health provides education to help you and your caregivers learn what you need to know for successful, independent management of your health condition. It is designed to meet your health goals in the privacy and comfort of your own home.
Q: Who can benefit from home health care?
A: Home health is for people recovering from surgery, managing chronic illness or coping with a life-threatening condition.
Q: What professional services are offered?
A: Nurses assess needs and provide and teach optimal care of wounds, disease and medication management, and pain and symptom control. Physical, occupational, and speech therapists develop coordinated rehabilitation plans, based on personal goals and needs, to promote and improve mobility, safety, and daily activities. Medical social workers provide short-term counseling, financial and resource planning, long term care planning, and referrals to other community resources as needed. Home health aides provide assistance with personal care, such as bathing, dressing, grooming and friendly conversation.
Q: How often will people visit me at home, and how long will they stay?
A: Home health professionals will develop a plan of care based upon your needs and your doctor's request. The frequency of visits typically ranges from once weekly to daily. Visits vary in length, but generally average an hour or less, depending on your needs.
Q: Who pays for home health care?
A: While you are essentially confined to home and your physician orders home health care, home care services are covered by Medicare, senior health maintenance organizations (HMOs), Medicaid, and many private insurance plans. Since insurance eligibility requirements vary, check with your insurance carrier to review your benefits.
Q: Can home health care be provided in places other than the patient's home?
A: In addition to patients' homes or the homes of family members, home health agencies may provide care in independent and assisted living facilities, board and care homes and senior housing.