Question: Which situation may require assistance from a home health agency?
- Knee replacement
- Returning home from the hospital
- Caring for a wound
- A recent fall
- Living with a feeding tube
- All of the above
Answer: 6. All of the above.
A home health agency can help through a very challenging time. They provide a variety of services including physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, wound care, pain management, safety assessments, assistance with bathing, skilled nursing services and much more. Using a home health agency can be a major asset to your care team.
A home health agency will help your loved one recover and/or regain strength from an illness, surgery, fall, or hospital stay. Depending on the circumstances, physical or occupational therapy may be prescribed. With the right agency, confidence and some independence may be restored. In the long run, if care protocol is followed, your loved one’s quality of life, and even your life, has the chance to improve exponentially.
When a physician prescribes home health, Medicare or medical insurance usually covers the services. Check with your physician and insurance company to learn more about home health coverage benefits.
Typically, when your physician prescribes home health, a licensed agency will be recommended. It’s also a good idea to network and ask friends, co-workers, insurance companies, and other medical professionals which agency they recommend. Since home health is a service needed for situations such as recovery or an ongoing basis, you want to make sure it is one you can trust and are you are comfortable with the staff’s care.
Home health agencies employee nurses, therapist, and nursing assistants or aides. Agencies are licensed by the state and undergo state surveys. Typically, you can access the survey reports online or call the regulating state agency. Any infractions will be documented.
In order for home health to be successful, the patient and/or advocate needs to be comfortable communicating with the staff. If exercises or activities are a factor in the care plan, the patient needs to follow the plan, even if the therapist is not there. For more information about home health, ask your physician.
Your CAREjourney guides,
Staci Witten & Liz Applegate
Tuesday the 9th, 2010 at 9 a.m.
