Thousands of individuals every year decide to use the services of a home health agency. Most people would like to stay at home instead of going back to the hospital which is a primary driver for home health utilization. When using a home health agency, the healthcare professionals go wherever the patient is located. Some other benefits are:
Cost
The cost of home health care varies depending on the type of care you need and where you live. Medicare generally covers most home health care services, but Medicaid and private insurance will sometimes pay for them as well.
Home health care is also usually less expensive than other types of care – particularly nursing home stays – so if your loved one needs help with daily activities but is able to remain at home, this could be a good option for your family. Many private insurance plans cover some costs associated with in-home assistance, including equipment like walkers or wheelchairs.
Convenience
When you need medical care, having it come to you is far more convenient than having to go out of your way and make an appointment at a clinic or hospital. This is especially true if you have mobility issues or other limitations that make traveling difficult.
Scheduling is also another key benefit of working with a home health agency. You can schedule with your home health agency to make visits when it works best for you or your loved one. This enables you to make sure that other aspects of life are taken care of.
There are some additional benefits as well such as not having to worry about parking, paying for gas or getting out in harsh weather conditions. Working with a home health agency typically makes things more convenient and easier to access the care that is needed.
Safety
One of the main benefits of working with a home health agency is their ability to make it safer for seniors to age in place. Home health agencies reduce the risk of falls and hospitalization, as well as other health issues that might otherwise require a visit to the emergency room or hospital.
Care coordination
A home health agency will coordinate with other care providers to ensure that your loved one receives the best care possible. Your home health agency may connect you with a physical therapist, occupational therapist, or speech language pathologist in order to help improve your loved one’s condition. If a member of your family is unable to provide assistance with bathing or dressing at home, they may be able to provide these services while a nurse is present.
Home health agencies also coordinate with family and friends when it comes to providing care for the patient. If needed, they may provide a social worker to provide information on local community resources. This enables you to get additional help if needed that are typically provided by highly trained agencies.
Nursing
A home health agency nurse will play a critical role in your care and treatment. Nurses are trained to provide specialized healthcare for patients, and they play a key part in patient outcomes by providing more personalized care than other types of providers. In addition to administering medication or giving physical therapy, nurses can help you with wound care or IV therapy. They can also help you manage any pain you experience during your recovery process.
Wound care
Wound care is a specialty. The National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (NPUAP) is a great resource when it comes to wound care. Wounds can be acute, which means they are new and haven’t been around long enough to become chronic, or they can be chronic, which is when the wound has lasted for more than three months.
Wounds can vary greatly in size, location on the body and severity depending on what caused them and how fast they heal. A home health agency will have nurses that are trained in wound care. Some common examples include:
Dry maceration wounds: These occur when moisture evaporates from your skin because you have poor circulation or an injury that prevents blood flow from reaching that area of your body. They tend to form on pressure points like elbows or heels where there’s increased friction between your clothes and skin; this may also cause swelling in lymph nodes (small glands along major veins).
Acute pressure-related injuries: These types of injuries happen when someone sits down hard on their bony parts such as tailbone while lying down – this can cause pain along with bruising which will eventually fade away after several days without much intervention needed other than rest until then.
Rehabilitation
Physical, occupational and speech therapy are essential services for people with a variety of conditions. These professionals help their clients recover from injuries or chronic illnesses such as stroke, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis. These professionals are often found working with a home health agency.
Home health agency summary
A home health agency is a valuable source of healthcare services. They have many advantages over other types of providers, such as hospitals and skilled nursing facilities. Home health agencies offer a wide range of care options that can be customized to meet the needs of each patient. Home health agency staff members have access to cutting-edge technology and treatments that may not be available elsewhere in your community.
About us
GreySteps is where you will learn how to find the best senior care options for yourself or loved ones. We provide guides and resources for independent living, long-term acute care hospitals, hospice and other senior care options.