It has recently been suggested that you look into home health care for yourself or your loved ones, and you are at a loss trying to figure out which type of home health care service will best fit your needs.
The different types of home health care can be divided into three categories. They are:
1) Home Health Medical Care
2) Hospice Care
3) At-Home Personal Care
Each of these services has several subheadings for individuals to use within their homes. Sometimes individuals will use one type of home health care service or they can use multiple different areas.
Data shows that most Americans would like to stay in their homes long-term. So, you are not alone in this process of looking into home health care to keep you safe in your home for a longer duration. Let’s explore some of the services available for you to utilize.
Home Health Medical Care
We will look first at home health medical care services. These are provided within your home to help you deal with an injury or illness. There are several types of home care, depending on your specific medical needs. These are often, but not always, covered by insurance.
Home Health Nurse – A home health nurse will travel to your home. They will assist with medical needs such as wound dressing changes, blood pressure monitoring, medication management such as filling medication containers, administering IV medications, or care of other medical conditions as ordered by a physician. You may have to review a few nurses and agencies to find the best one.
Home Infusion Therapy – This type of therapy can be provided by either a registered nurse or an infusion therapy provider in your home. The provider will ensure you have all the supplies needed at home to perform the infusion successfully. This would include a pump, tubing, medication, and other supplies needed. They will come to your home to perform this infusion or teach you how to complete this task yourself. If you complete it yourself, you will have regular checks to ensure this is accomplished correctly.
Home Hemodialysis Therapy – Some individuals can have their hemodialysis completed at home. This is often a consideration for someone who needs more frequent hemodialysis and can successfully perform the treatment at home.
A dialysis professional will come to your home to train you and the person who will assist you with your treatment. You and your elected assistant will perform the procedure, and you will be overseen by a dialysis professional who can be a nurse, physician, or physician assistant.
Physician Home Visits – Yes, some physicians still make house calls. The physician will provide a medical consultation in the home instead of having the patient visit a doctor’s clinic or hospital. During the visit, they can prescribe the necessary treatments or plan of care to help you be able to stay at home longer. This can either be a visit where the physician comes directly to your home or a Telehealth visit completed while you are at home.
Home Therapy – You can also receive at-home therapies. The physical therapist, occupational therapist, respiratory therapist, or speech therapist can come directly to your home to provide the needed therapy. This is generally reserved for someone who is homebound – or has difficulty going to a facility to perform their therapies. A physician will prescribe for your specific needs at home.
Hospice Care at Home
Hospice is palliative care to relieve symptoms during the end-of-life process. A physician will determine if you have a Hospice qualifying diagnosis. The Hospice care company you choose will select the type of care or equipment you will need in your home to remain comfortable. If you have Medicare, this is a covered benefit, and you can receive this care at home.
Home Health Care – Personal Care
Home Health Aides – A home health aide is a person that is trained to provide care in your home and can provide basic medical care. They are generally certified depending on your state’s requirements and are considered a health care paraprofessional.
They can assist a person with their activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, toileting, eating, and moving from one place to another. They are also trained to assist in handling emergencies and monitoring a patient’s health.
Home Care Aide – This is generally a person who is not certified. This can be a family member or a friend, but can also come through an agency. They will also help with activities of daily living but are not trained to handle emergencies.
Homemaker/Attendant Care – This person will help an individual within their home, assisting them so they can stay in their home longer. They may help with meal prep, light housekeeping chores, running errands, and companionship activities.
Volunteers – Volunteers can help older people stay active, prevent loneliness, and reduce stress. Volunteers are non-certified individuals who have a passion for helping. They can do things as simple as walking with a person or providing companionship.
Who Provides the Home Care Services?
To find home health care services, you can look at Home Health Agencies, Hospices, Personal Care agencies, DME or Medical Equipment Companies, Government Agencies, Private Duty Agencies, and utilize independent providers. It is crucial that whoever you pick is background checked and a reputable provider.
How Do I Pay for Home Care Services?
There are several ways that the care can be paid for.
The care can be paid for by Government programs such as those provided by Medicare, Veterans Administration (VA), or Medicaid.
The care can be paid through private third-party payers such as commercial health insurance companies, retirement plans, or managed care programs like Medicare Advantage. These services will have to be approved by the third-party payer to be covered.
Some of the services are not covered by insurance and are self-paid. These will require you or your family to pay for the services. It is essential to price around for the service you desire, as these can be very expensive.
If you do not have insurance to cover these costs, there are sometimes community organizations that can help you pay for all or part of the costs. A physician or case manager can help you find these resources.
We have discussed several different health care services. A couple of resources that can aid you in finding the needed care are the Eldercare Locator and an In-Home Care Locator. Another way is looking into Area on Aging in your community. They often have helpful suggestions on the care providers in your area.
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