Home care

Home care is a term that describes a wide range of health and social services. These services are delivered at home to recovering, disabled, chronically or terminally ill persons in need of medical, nursing, social, or therapeutic treatment and/or assistance with the essential activities of daily living.

Overview

Generally, home care is appropriate whenever a person prefers to stay at home but needs ongoing care that cannot easily or effectively be provided solely by family and friends. More and more older people, electing to live independent, non-institutionalized lives, are receiving home care services as their physical capabilities diminish. Younger adults who are disabled or recuperating from acute illness are choosing home care whenever possible. Chronically ill infants and children are receiving sophisticated medical treatment in their loving and secure home environments. Adults and children diagnosed with terminal illness also are being cared for at home, receiving compassion and comfort that a familiar environment provides.

Types of Home Care Organizations

Several types of agencies provide home care, including Home Health Agencies; Hospices; Homemaker and Home Care Aide (HCA) Agencies; Staffing and Private-duty Agencies; and Pharmaceutical and Infusion Therapy Companies.

Home Health Care Personnel

The home health staff provides and helps coordinate the care and/or therapy your doctor orders. In addition to health care professionals, a home health team may include physician; nurse; home health aide; physical therapist; occupational therapist; speech therapist; social worker; and dietitian.

Home Care Services

Home care services include Health Assessment; Observation and Monitoring; Teaching; Dressing Changes; IV Therapy; Pain Control; Injections; Physical Therapy; Speech Therapy; Occupational Therapy; Medical Social Services; Nutritional Services; Laboratory and X-ray Services; Pharmacy Services; Hospice; Homemaker Services; and Home Health Aide Services.

Paying for Home Care

Home care services are paid by the patient privately, by insurers, or by public payers. The way to access and arrange for home care services often depends on who will be paying for home care. Health insurance and health maintenance organizations (HMOs) will cover home care services that are medically necessary. If you have long-term care insurance, check your policy. Some policies cover home care.

See Also

• Home Health Agencies
• Hospices
• Homemaker and Home Care Aide (HCA) Agencies
• Staffing and Private-duty Agencies
• Pharmaceutical and Infusion Therapy Companies

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