Home Health Care is skilled medical care and equipment provided in the home or at a living facility. This type of care is typically needed after a medical emergency such as a stroke or a fall. Making progress to regain health and lifestyle are the main goals.
Services are usually provided by a license healthcare professional such as a registered nurse, nurse practitioner or a rehabilitation therapist. There is a wide range of rehabilitation therapy that can offered. Physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy are the main areas of care after a stroke or heart attack. Wound care, medication management and pain management are often utilized after outpatient surgery.
What Are The Benefits Of Home Health Care?
Home health care helps to reduce healthcare costs and delays the need for the patient to be admitted to long-term nursing care. Access to skilled health care in the home allows the patient to gain their health back quicker. Home health care is also an accepted service through Medicare helping the patient afford the needed treatments.
Home health care is usually less expensive, more convenient than and just as effective as care you get in a hospital or skilled nursing facility. They assist in coordinating the care by communicating regularly with the doctor and anyone else who gives the patient care.
How Do You Qualify For Home Health Care?
Based on the Medicare criteria the patient must be considered home bound, unable to access needed healthcare services from outside the home. The patient in need must be referred to this type of care from their doctor. The doctor will determine the required care needed and whether it is part-time or on an intermittent basis. A plan of care will be created to notify the Home Health Care Agency what services and equipment are required. A Medicare approved agency will then begin their services.
If the patient has their original Medicare, usually 100% of the cost of the home health care will be covered. Third party Medicare plans often cover 70% to 80% of the costs for these services.
What Is The Difference Between Home Health Care and Home Aide Care?
Home health care is clinical, medical supervision provided by a licensed professional. Registered and licensed practical nurses, occupational therapists, and physical therapists.
Home aide care provides compassion and help for seniors who need assistance with daily activities. Levels of care vary by need, and can span from weekly meal prep to incontinence help. Home care aides are trained to understand the nuances of senior care, but are generally not licensed to provide medical services.
