Home Care, what is it?

By Karen Frank

Home Care, what is it? How do I qualify for home care? How do I get home care?

First lets talk about what home care is. When a doctor orders home care for a patient, it is because the patient is homebound and needs medical services and the doctor feels that the patient is not able to get out of the home except for doctors’ appointments and emergency outings .

The doctor orders home care service to help the patient get their medical needs taken care of in his or her home since they are unable to get to those services. They may receive Skilled Nursing, Physical, Occupational or Speech Therapy, Medical Social Worker or a home health aide.

The nurse will provide all necessary services such as wound care, injections and intravenous medications. The nurse can teach the patient or family to administer medications to the patient, how to control pain with the proper scheduling, teach how to do wound care that has been ordered by the doctor. Our team of experienced staff works closely with patients, family members and physicians to ensure the care is specific to patients’ particular illness or injury.

Rehabilitation services are based on a team approach to optimum results. Our highly regarded and recommended licensed Physical Therapists(PT), Occupational Therapists(OT), and Speech Language Pathologists(SLP) are experienced in helping homebound patients reach their goals of achieving maximum independence. Our specially trained team works closely with the patient and their physician to meet specific goals so the patient will, once again, be able to enjoy daily activities and communicating. Our therapists will help arrange for durable equipment delivery and make recommendations regarding home safety modifications.

When a doctor feels a social worker is needed, the social worker can help patients make a smooth transition from the hospital, nursing facility or outpatient center to their home. Our experienced licensed medical social workers can evaluate the patients emotional condition and help resolve social, emotional and financial problems associated with the illness or injury and inform the physician of situations which may affect treatments.

If the nurse determines the patient needs a home health aide to help them with their personal care needs, she will set up that service along with the family to help with what is necessary to help the patient get back on their feet again.

Your doctor needs to order the home care stating he believes you are homebound. Once the home care office receives the order from your doctor, your insurance is checked to verify home care benefits and be sure you will not have to pay for the services. The home care company will then call the patient too let them know of the coverage and set up the appointment to come out and begin services. The day of the first visit will take approximately 2 hours due to the paperwork that needs to be filled out and signed by the patient or patient representative. All insurance companies require this paperwork be filled out and filed for them before they will pay for the benefits.

As long as the patient remains home bound and continued services are required, home care continues as ordered. Patients must qualify for these services and your home care team knows when you qualify or no longer qualify for your home care services.