Home Health Service - Specifics Regarding Services

Home Health Service: Specifics Regarding Services

Often times, adult children caring for an elderly parent need extra help. Home Health Service may provide the relief and support necessary to care for an elderly parent on a long-term basis. These services may include a variety of functions, from medical supervision to companionship.

Home Health Care Functions

Is designed to provide a multitude of functions for individuals based on need. For example, In Home Health Care may provide hospice care for a terminally ill parent. Home Health Care may also focus on safety and fall prevention, offering companionship, providing transportation, and keeping the elderly safe during winter or other potentially dangerous weather conditions.

Home Health Service is a specially designed to help seniors function with daily living and activity skills in a home environment for as long as possible and offers:

• Physical, speech and/or occupational therapy
• Help with bathing, dressing, and eating
• Assistance with cooking
• Monitoring prescriptions or medication schedules
• Light housekeeping
• Most medically based minor services that help seniors recover or maintain independence following an injury or illness

Most In Home Health Service providers offer meal preparation, grocery shopping, relief or respite for family members, companionship, and conversation, as well as errand and transportation services depending on need. In Home Health Services may also help offer medical and supervisory care for those diagnosed with Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia by:

• Enhancing home safety measures to prevent wandering
• Assisting the elderly with dressing, grooming and hygiene needs
• Encouraging communication
• Providing relief and respite care for primary caregivers

Finding In Home Health Service

When seeking In Home Health Service, caregivers should ask a variety of questions which include but are not limited to:

• Is the agency Medicare-certified, meaning is it approved by Medicare?

• Is the facility or agency certified by a national accreditation body or organization (such as Accreditation of Health Care Organizations or the Joint Commission)?
  
• Is the agency currently licensed to practice?
  
• Does the agency provide a written plan of care?
  
• Are agency staff available 24/7?
  
• Does the agency provide a nursing supervisor available for on-call assistance 24/7?
  
• Are facility employees screened for background checks?
  
• Are staff, Home Health Aides, or any other service providers of the agency trained and certified?

Of course, care providers should ask as many questions as required to determine whether a not a service agency or facility will meet the needs of a parent.

The National Association for Home Care and the Visiting Nurse Association's of America provide a starting point from which care providers may locate In Home Care Services for specific localities and geographic regions.

Area agencies on aging, Public Health Departments, and health care providers may also provide information and resources to individuals seeking information regarding In Home Health Care Services and costs.

Paying For In Home Care Services

The cost of In Home Health Care will vary by state. Medicare is one of the largest payers of Home Care Services, but certain standards or stipulations must be met, including:

• The elderly person must be home bound or require the aid of a family member or friend to go out.
• The elderly person must be under a doctor's care.
• The elderly person must need some type of skilled nursing care on a regular basis.
• Services must be provided under the supervision of a physician.
• Services must be provided as part of a Home Health Care Plan customized for the elderly person.
• The elderly person must be eligible for Medicare Services, deemed "medically reasonable and necessary".
• The facility providing In-Home Health Care must be certified by the Medicare program.

Many In Home Health Care Services and providers also offer personal care services that include but are not limited to positioning and transferring, incontinence care, special dietary or meal preparation, feeding, bathing, and toileting.

Making Decisions

Carefully assess specific situations regarding an elderly parent when deciding on the appropriateness of Home Health Care services. Declining physical health, depression, safety, and medical monitoring are all important aspects of providing care for an elderly individual at home.

Caregiver stress, family and work obligations and physical capabilities of caring for an elderly parent often require the help and support of professional caregivers. Assessing the situation, determining where help would most be needed and appreciated and finding adequate service providers to address such needs will help provide quality and consisting care for an elderly parent.

Elder Care Services