If a patient needs healthcare, receiving treatment at hospitals or clinics usually comes to mind. However, home health care services are becoming increasingly popular, and for a good reason. They allow patients to receive treatment in the comfort of their own homes. Patients who age and become less mobile often require more help around the house. Keeping them at home is not only a comfortable option but also very practical and more affordable than other treatment services.
When patients receive health care from the home, they can even receive a wide variety of services, including physical therapy and skilled nursing. If you want to become a home healthcare patient, here is everything you need to know.
Can home health care services be customized to individual needs?
One of the most significant benefits of home health care services is that patients can receive individualized services catered to specific needs. When signing up for home health care services, a doctor will put together a documented plan of care that covers all the patient’s needs. Whether you need speech therapy, physical therapy, or help with medication management, your healthcare team will put together a specialized plan for treatment.
How long can someone receive home health care services?
The amount of time a patient can qualify for home health care services can vary by patient, depending on several factors. However, most care plans start with a qualification of up to 60 days. After these 60 days have expired, your physician can change the plan depending on the care you need and if the level of care you currently receive is necessary and reasonable. Here are a few factors that influence the duration of treatment for a patient’s in-home care services:
Acute or Post-Operative Care:
Some patients may require acute or post-operative care to help them recover at home after a hospital stay or surgery. Because the length of this treatment can vary, services and treatment length can be adjusted based on the patient’s needs.
Chronic or Long-Term Care:
In some cases, patients have a chronic illness or long-term condition that requires ongoing home health care to manage their condition. In these specific cases, the duration of care can be extended based on the need. The extension is often weeks, months, or years longer.
Palliative or Hospice Care:
Palliative and hospice care can be provided for individuals who need advanced care for illnesses who are in the end-of-life stage. Like other conditions, the duration of this treatment varies per patient.
Rehabilitation and Therapy:
Patients who require physical, occupational, or speech therapy will receive services based on the specific goals of their treatment. Their treatment plans can range from weeks to even several months long, depending on the physician’s recommendation.
Periodic or Intermittent Care:
Periodic or intermittent care services can be provided based on the patient’s needs. In many cases, the duration can vary. One example of periodic care is medication management, which is a service to help patients organize and take their medications.
How often do home health care providers visit?
How often do home health care providers visit?Home health care providers visit the patient when a physician deems medically necessary. Home health care professionals often visit one or two times a week or even as frequently as daily or several times a day based on the services being provided.
Are there any limitations to the services provided by home healthcare agencies?
In some cases, limitations to the services being provided by home health care agencies can vary based on many different variables, but here are a few of the most common:
Scope of Services:
Each home healthcare provider has different scopes of practice, and they may be unable to offer every possible type of care or service that a person may require.
Availability of Caregivers:
Some home health companies might not have access to professionals who provide specific services, such as speech therapy or physical therapy. In these cases, these services may need to be contracted out on a case-by-case basis, depending on if the patient is eligible for these services.
Geographic Coverage:
Home healthcare services can be limited based on geographic coverage. While other home healthcare companies only offer assistance to a few areas, Active Home Health, Hospice & Personal Care services the following Utah counties:
Funding Limitations:
The availability and coverage of home health care services can depend on the funding source. For example, homemaker services, personal care or custodial services, meal delivery services, and 24-hour-a-day services are typically not provided by home health agencies. They’re also not usually covered by Medicare or private insurance.
Equipment and Supplies:
Like caregiver and geographic limitations, the equipment and supplies provided by a home health care company can vary based on the needs of the individual. Generally speaking, if equipment or services aren’t covered in a care plan, it most likely will not be included in the coverage.
Choose Active for Your Home Health Care Needs
Choose Active for Your Home Health Care NeedsWhen choosing a home healthcare company, it’s common to have concerns. At Active Home Health & Hospice, we’re here to answer all your questions about starting treatment. As one of the highest-rated and highly trusted home healthcare companies in Utah, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the breadth and quality of our services. We stay with you in the home, working with your physician to foster a successful recovery. If you’re not sure whether or not you qualify for home health services, or you’re wondering what type of care you will require, contact Active Home Health & Hospice to schedule a free home assessment.
