Home Health Care Services - Allowing Those Who Need Help To Live Independent Lives

Old age can keep us from doing things we once thought were easy. As we grow older, living on our own can become something of a struggle. However, home care and home health care services can provide the elderly or sick with the aid and activity they need on a daily basis, allowing them to continue living an independent life.

With over one million people making use of home health care, it has proven to be a successful alternative to long-term nursing facilities. A normal home care service consists of a nurse or aid visiting the patient's home every day to help assist with whatever needs assisting. This can vary from simply cooking meals and housecleaning to providing the patient with physical therapy and medicine. No aspect of what a patient needs is overlooked, and every patient is treated differently according to his or her needs. While one patient might need help keeping maintenance of his or her home and minor physical therapy, another may require help in being bathed and fed. Nurses are trained to be attentive to any potential needs their patient may have.

The need for home health care isn't always clearly determined. It is a good idea to consult with a doctor before deciding whether you or someone you know should seek the aid of home health care services. Consulting with a doctor may also help you financially. If your doctor confirms the need for home services and orders it, financial burden can be lifted off your shoulders through Medicare. Research the agency you use to make sure they can do whatever needs to be done to aid you or a loved one. Check if the nurses are licensed and trained. This research can help prevent any problems along the way.

One important thing to remember is that home care services and home health care services are different. While home care may provide the elderly with daily check-ups and domestic services, home health care includes helping a patient recover from an ailment, such as a heart attack or stroke. Depending on what is required, you might want to make sure that those you'd be hiring are licensed therapists or nurses.

Home health care is a great way to provide yourself or a loved one with the aid and medical treatment that's needed on a daily basis. It allows patients to live healthy lives without encroaching on their independence. If you or someone you know is not ready to go to a long-term nursing facility, home health care is a viable alternative that might just be worth looking into.

Home Health Care: Convenient and Less Expensive

Despite popular belief, you don't have to be in a hospital or nursing facility to have a staff of professionals take care of you - the is an alternative called home health care. Essentially, many of the same type of services offered at hospitals can be offered to you at your home through specialized agencies, and often it's more convenient and less expensive for you in the end.

You know that health care, ultimately, is to take care of you after you've been injured or sick. Now, if you can do this at your home, and gain your strength and self-sufficiency back in an environment where you're more comfortable, that would be a great option to exercise.

Some home health care services include: wound care, patient education, nutrition therapy, injections, intravenous therapy, and speech-language therapy. Staff can also monitor serious illness and unstable health status, as well as helping with getting you into and out of bed, helping you bathe and use the bathroom, and doing things like light housekeeping, cooking, shopping, and laundry.

To find agencies available for this type of work, do an internet search and find out if there is anything local, and find out if they provide the exact service to the specifications that you require. Be aware that there are arrangements made between insurers and the agencies, so always ask questions before deciding who to hire.

So when they're there, what should you expect from a home health care team? They should be aware of your diet, your amount of exercise, your blood pressure and heart rate, your breathing, your temperature, and all of your vitals. They should know your medication routines and have them all up to date. They should check on your pain levels and your mental and physical condition every day, if not more often. They will make sure that your home is safe, and they will teach you how to take care of yourself as the process moves forward.

They'll also explain to you what your plan of care is. It's essentially a list of everything you need - what services, by what type of care professional, what equipment they need, how often they need to take care of what parts of your health, and what you should expect when the treatments are complete.

And be sure to ask yourself questions while you are under care. Are they treating you respectfully? Are they explaining why they are doing what they're doing? Are they continually suggesting ways to improve your treatment? Are they putting your mental and physical health first with regard to the service?

Will Malpractice Cases Increase for Connecticut's Home Health Care Industry?

Several forces are coming together which will expand the home health care industry in Connecticut.

Governor Malloy is expanding the MFP ( Money Follows the Person) program. This is a federal reform program that aims to reduce the number of patients on Medicaid in expensive institutional healthcare settings. It focuses on moving people out of long-term care facilities and placing them back into their homes where most elderly people prefer to reside. The Connecticut legislature has approved new regulations for the home health care industry that will allow nurses to delegate medication administration to home health aides that are working with patients in their homes. All of these changes are designed to benefit the elderly and to improve quality of life and expand the elderly population that can reside at home with assistance. These are all positive things for health challenged individuals, providing the proper community support is available. This was not the case when the state decided that mental health patients belonged in the community and not in chronic care facilities. Community support was grossly inadequate in the 1980s when the state deinstitutionalized patients from psychiatric hospitals, producing disastrous results for many communities and individuals. Hopefully this most recent plan to transition people into the community has taken into account the need for expanded home health care services.

A second shift in the state's public health policy that has started to effect the home health care industry is in the area of informed risk. Informed risk is basically a policy stating that a person who may not be deemed safe to stay at home is allowed to remain at home as long as patient and family acknowledge that the patient is at greater risk of injury at home as opposed to a facility. It is an honoring of the patient's wishes as opposed to what the agency may feel is the best plan of care for the individual. Up until recently if a person was deemed unsafe in their home environment the home care agency would not support the person remaining at home. In other words they would refuse to provide services. Now the state is promoting keeping people at risk in their homes, providing that they are mentally sound, and they have acknowledged the fact that they are assuming greater risk by staying at home.

Even with good agency oversight it is inevitable that these shifts regarding informed risk and allowing non nurses to give medications will lead to an increase in injuries, accidental overdoses, misuse of medications as well as negligence and/or abuse. Agency staff will need to carefully document risk assessment and delegation of duties. Careful monitoring and good case management will help minimize errors and limit abuse and neglect in this population however the home care industry is certain to have an increase in liability hence the possibility of increasing nursing malpractice claims.

With the first wave of baby boomers starting to retire, the number of senior citizens in Connecticut continues to expand. The need for experienced home health care experts will continue to grow as well.

Some Facts to Know About Home Health Care Nursing

Having a home health care nurse is one of the new concepts in the health industry, which is rapidly picking fame. Through home health care, the patient's privacy is maintained and even the family is released from the hassle of taking the patient to the hospital again and again for routine checkups. Home health care nurse services are best suited for people suffering from fatal illness, permanent or temporary disability, or prolonged health issues.

According to a survey nearly 7 million people require nurses for in home care. Until a couple of years back, nurses were needed only in hospitals, nursing centers, or high class living centers. However, today the need of nurses has taken a 360 degree twist. The nurses are no longer only required in the above stated places, in fact, families having members as patients demand receiving nurse care at their home. The nurses associated with home health care are allowed to practice nursing at homes, only after undergoing academic training.

Families also prefer hiring only those nurses that come with a sufficient amount of qualification and experience of several years. With time, several changes have been made in home health care. Now, a very secure home health care is provided to the families. Today, insurance is provided and proper documentation is also done between the nursing agency and the family. Also, with technological advancement in the medical field, now patients do not need to stay admitted in the hospital for long. They can easily shift home under the care of home heath nursing services.

Home health nurses come with an number of skills.They do not only treat the patients, but they also educate them regarding their illness. Also, they are looked upon to provide emotional support to the patients. From taking care of injured or sick young children, women who have recently given child birth, looking after the elderly, and all other patients suffering chronic diseases, nurses today can be looked upon for nearly every disease, injury, or other kind of treatment. Health care nurses are also capable of taking care of the patient in any particular setting. It is very important for the nurse to have strong communication skills. She should also come with the flexibility to adopt any kind of culture and customs that the family follows. If you are thinking of having a career in home health care nursing, then you should not waste more time and just get into it. The demand for nursing is said to increase by 10% in the coming future.

How to Choose a Home Health Care Service

Whether you need help recovering from an accident, surgery, or need long term care for a chronic illness or disability, home health care is often a viable option that has been gaining popularity, for a reason. Studies have shown that recovering at home is better for a patient's physical and mental health. Today's home health care services can provide everything from help with errands and chores like cooking and cleaning, to skilled medical care from nurses and therapists. But with so many new home health care agencies popping up, how do you know which one to choose?

Luckily, if you follow these basic guidelines, you can be confidant when choosing your home health care provider :

o Check out the agency's credentials.
Make sure the home health care service you choose is licensed in your state, is certified by Medicare, and is accredited by a governing agency such as The Joint Commission's Home Care Accreditation Program.

o Check out the caregivers' credentials.
Besides looking for providers that are friendly and helpful, make sure you inquire about the caregivers' professional training. Are they bonded and insured? Does the home health care service have a supervisor oversee the quality of the service? Also, ask for references for the caregivers themselves, and find out if the home health care agency screens their employees.

o Clarify all billing issues.
The agency should be able to provide literature clearly explaining its fees and services. Make sure you know up front about co-pays, deductibles, and uncovered expenses. Ask if they offer any kind of financial assistance to those in need.

o Be clear on what services you are getting.
Inquire about receiving a written plan detailing the services you will be receiving, so that there is no confusion. Make sure you know the specific services your home health caregiver will be providing, including any chores or housework. Also, find out what hours the home health care service provider has on-call help, in case of an emergency. A 24 hour hotline with someone on call is desirable and helpful.

Finally, after your home health care plan is in place, monitor the services, making sure it is in line with what was actually discussed. By taking these steps you can assure that your home health care service will be beneficial to all.

8 Questions to Ask Your Home Health Care Agency Or Nurse

If you are in the process of finding a home care services agency or if you are considering hiring a home care nursing aide or a home health care physical therapist or occupational therapist, it is critical to find out their qualifications.

We assembled a list of 8 questions you can ask the home care agency to ensure that you are choosing the right provider for your needs.

1) What is the background of the home care company & how long have they been in business?

You want to find a reputable in home nursing agency that has been in business for a number of years and has a successful track record. Most newer home nursing care agencies haven't been around long enough to build a proven track record or a list of red flags.

So, it's important to find out as much information about the company as possible. You can do this by finding information on who owns the company and what role the ownership plays in the type and levels of service.

2) What are the home nursing care agencies qualifications, certifications, experience and training of their home care aides and nurses?

It's extremely important to find out about the credentials of the home health aides and nurses that the home care company sends to your home.

Make sure their home health aides and nurses are certified and have received adequate training.

3) How does the home nursing care agency monitor care and can the family provide feedback?

Find out if there are any quality assurance measures in place. Many home health care agencies periodically visit the home of the client or make regular calls to gather client feedback.

If this is not the case, find out how a family member can provide feedback on the quality of care or who they may contact in the home care agency to have any questions answered.

4) Are there any home visits or assessments that take place prior to home health care services beginning?

Find out if there are any options available that allow the family members, client and the home care agency representative to meet prior to the start of services. Most reputable home nursing care agencies offer free consultations.

5) Does the agency have a current operating license in their respective state or city?

It is important to find out if the home health care agency has a current and valid license to operate in their respective city or state. This often overlooked aspect is the most important factor in choosing a home health care agency.

6) How does the home nursing care company work with your doctor in developing a plan of care?

Most agencies work directly with your doctor in planning for your care, especially if the client requires care that is beyond the scope of activities related to activities of daily living.

7) Can the home care company provide references or testimonials?

Most reputable home health care companies can provide references from doctors, nurses, social workers and even clients if requested. They may even have a page on their website that is dedicated to providing this type of information to potential clients.

8) What happens if a home health aide or nurse is absent from the agency on a particular day?

If the home health care provider is required to take a day off for illness or another emergency, what type of protocol is put in place by the home health care company to cover the absence?

There are usually plans put in place to ensure that the client receives that continuity of care in the event of an absence by their home care provider or nurse.

5 Things To Consider When Integrating Your Home Health Care With Medicare

Medicare can be perplexing, all the more so when you combine complex health issues and the need for medical aids such as oxygen or hospital beds. While the insurance maze can be difficult to traverse, an estimated 47.5 million people received this program in 2010, which is more than a sixth of the nation's population.

Here is a brief overview and some answers to some commonly asked questions regarding Medicare and home health care.

1. Who qualifies?

Medicare is a national health insurance program provided by the U.S. government for those who are:

- 65 and older

- Under 65 with certain disabilities

- Diagnosed with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), a form of permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant

2. What types of services does Medicare cover?

Medicare has four different coverage sections: Part A, B, C, and D. "Original Medicare" consists of Part A & B, while Part C is known as "Medicare Advantage Plan". These four parts are summarized briefly:

- Medicare Part A: Hospital Insurance

* Part A covers care while in hospital as well as health care in skilled nursing facilities, home health care, and hospice.

- Medicare Part B: Medical Insurance

* Part B covers doctor's visits as well as visits to other health care providers. Additionally, Part B covers hospital outpatient care, durable medical equipment (like intravenous infusion devices), and home health care services. Part B also covers specific types of preventative services, such as getting certain vaccinations.

- Medicare Part C: Medicare Advantage

* Part C combines health plan options you purchase from other private insurance companies approved by Medicare. Part C also integrates Medicare Prescription drug coverage (Part D) and can be tailored to include extra benefits at an extra cost.

- Medicare Part D: Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage

* Part D covers the prescription of Medicare-approved prescription drugs and can lower the cost of other medications. Similar to Part C, Medicare-approved private insurance companies also run Part D.

3. Why do I need to choose between Medicare plans?

The choice of "Original Medicare" (Parts A & B) entails payment of monthly premiums for part B and may necessitate additional coverage to pay deductibles and coinsurance to see physicians, hospitals, and other providers who accept Medicare. If you require Prescription drug coverage, you must pay a monthly premium to join the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D).

The "Medicare Advantage Plan" (Part C, which covers Part A & B), also requires the payment of monthly premiums in addition to the Part B premium & a copayment for in-plan doctors, hospitals. If prescription medications are not covered by your supplemental coverage, you have the option of joining the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D).

As with prescription medications, you can purchase supplemental coverage to cover services not covered by Medicare. The "Original Medicare" plan allows for the option of buying Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap), while the "Medicare Advantage Plan" does not.

It is prudent to always check if you can take advantage of other additional coverage through your employer or union, military, or Veteran's benefits.

4. Is home health care covered by Medicare?

The Medicare website states, "Medicare only covers home health care on a limited basis as ordered by your doctor". As reviewed earlier, Parts A & B are the Medicare options which cover the home health care services specified by Medicare.

Coverage of home health care by Medicare in New Mexico stipulates you must meet the following criteria:

- You are currently receiving regular services from a physician. This physician must also maintain a care plan unique to you, which is reviewed regularly.

- Your physician must certify a "need" for specific medical services such as requirements for intravenous medication therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, respiratory therapy, or speech-language pathology services.

- The home health care agency providing you services must be Medicare-certified (for more details see below).

- Your physician must certify your health status as homebound, which is indicated by the following:

* Your health condition limits you from leaving the house.

* You are unable travel from home without help (i.e. transportation assistance such as aids or individuals).

* Leaving your home takes considerable effort and may be detrimental to your health condition.

5. My home health company does not take Medicare, why is this?

The Medicare-approval process is lengthy and costly, so while it may appear that many companies may not take Medicare, they may actually be in the process of becoming Medicare certified.

Furthermore, the Medicare criteria for individual qualifying to receive home health care are very strict; the reality is that many people who may apply for coverage by Medicare for their approved home health company services will not actually receive coverage. Currently, Medicare pays only about half of all health care costs to seniors. Medicare very often denies payment due to not meeting criteria, so it is essential to be aware if you meet these criteria prior to restricting yourself exclusively to Medicare-approved home health care companies.

It is crucial not to become overwhelmed by the complexities of Medicare, as there is a vast wealth of information on the Internet.