Home health care refers to medical and non-medical services provided in the comfort of an individual's home. This can be set up when leaving the hospital thru an order by your doctor and coordination by a Case Manager.  As an outpatient, it can be set up by an order from your doctor and an office staff member is tasked to coordinate the services to come to your house. 

Usually the maximum visits is three times weekly and they stay for approximately an hour each time. This is not a private nurse with you all day. 

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Some of the services provided by home health care professionals can include:

• Skilled nursing care: This includes wound care, helping with medication, and taking vital signs.

• Physical therapy: This service helps individuals recover from surgery, injury, or illness by improving their physical functioning and mobility.  They will suggest specific exercises to make you stronger or to help with pain.

• Occupational therapy: This service helps individuals regain their independence by teaching patients how to perform activities of daily living (ADLs).  ADLs include bathing or showering, dressing, getting in and out of bed or a chair, using the toilet, and using utensils to eat.

• Speech therapy: This service helps individuals who have trouble speaking or swallowing due to a medical condition such as a stroke.

• Medical social services: Emotional support, teaching  family how to care for their loved one and counseling.

• Home health aides: This service provides assistance with activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, and grooming. ADLs, as above.

• Nutrition services: This service provides nutritional counseling and assistance with meal planning.

 

Home health care is beneficial for individuals who are recovering from an illness or surgery, managing a chronic medical condition, or who have a disability or mobility issue that makes it difficult to leave the home.

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If you are going back to work or can make it out to the grocery store, you generally will not qualify for Home Health Care services. 

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Your doctors office will know about local Home Health care Services available.

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Information can also be found here:

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Medicare.gov