Home health care is considered less expensive and more convenient and effective than care in a medical center or skilled nursing facility. Sometimes it can be even better because people recover faster at home. That’s especially true if they have support from family and friends.
Types of Home Health Care Services:
There are different types of home health care. The services you get will depend on your needs. They are generally categorized by level of care:
Skilled Nursing Care:
This type of care is given by a registered nurse, a licensed practical nurse, or a licensed vocational nurse. Nurses do an assessment when they first meet you and then create a plan of care. They teach you and your caregivers to take care of yourself, give medicines, and check your vital signs. They also monitor your health, provide emotional support, and connect you with other resources and services. RNs can also start or change their IV, insert catheters, change wound dressings, and give injections.
Physical Therapy:
Physical therapists (PTs) assist people with injuries or illnesses to enhance their movement and engage with their pain. PTs use exercises, stretching, hands-on therapy, and equipment to increase a person’s strength, range of motion, and endurance. They also teach patients how to prevent further injury.
Occupational Therapy:
Occupational therapists (OTs) help people regain the ability to do everyday activities. OTs work with people with conditions that make it hard to dress, bathe, cook, eat, or take care of other personal needs. They also help people who need to relearn how to write or take care of other daily tasks. OTs use exercises, adaptive equipment, and other methods to help patients regain skills.
Speech-Language Pathology:
Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) assess and help to prevent disorders of speech that relate to language, social communication, cognition (such as memory and thinking), and swallowing. They work with people who have problems with any of these. SLPs also work with family members or caregivers to ensure they know how to best support the person they are caring for.
Medical Social Workers:
Medical social workers (MSWs) are part of the health care team. They provide counseling and support to help you cope with the challenges of a chronic illness or disability. They also can connect you with community resources, such as support groups or government assistance programs.
Home Health Aides:
Home health aides (HHA’s) provide basic personal care, such as bathing, dressing, and grooming. They also help with light housekeeping, such as laundry and meal preparation. HHAs may give medicine and check vital signs under the direction of a nurse or therapist. Some states allow HHAs to give certain types of injections.
Hospice Care:
Hospice care is for terminally ill people who have chosen to focus on comfort rather than cure. Hospice care teams include doctors, nurses, social workers, chaplains, home health aides, and volunteers. They work with you and your family to control pain and manage symptoms. Hospice care can be given in your home, a nursing home, an assisted living facility, or a hospital.
Conclusion:
Many types of home health care services can help you maintain your health and independence. Check with your insurance plan to see what services are covered. You may also be able to get help paying for home health care through government programs or charitable organizations.