Know About Home Health Care

Home Health Care is medical services provided in your home to treat a chronic health condition or help you recover from an illness, injury or surgery. Medicare, Medicaid and some private insurance plans cover home health care when ordered by your doctor.

To qualify for home health care, your doctor must certify that you are homebound. That means leaving your home requires substantial effort and you must need the assistance of others or assistive devices.

Home health aides (HHAs)

Home health aides are non-licensed healthcare workers who perform specific tasks to help patients live as independently as possible in their homes. They usually work under the supervision of a nurse or another licensed healthcare professional. These professionals provide care for individuals suffering from chronic illnesses and disabilities. They also help patients with basic daily activities such as bathing, dressing and eating.

Aides often need to lift their clients, which can lead to physical stress and injury. They may also have to travel between locations if they are working for an agency, and this can be time consuming.

Physical therapists

Licensed physical therapists help people improve their mobility so they can continue to live independently in their own homes. They may also educate clients and their families about proper exercise techniques.

In home PT is covered by Medicare Part A and Part B as long as a doctor or allowed practitioner orders the services. The doctor or permitted practitioner must also attest that the patient is homebound and needs skilled care.

During an in-home PT session, the physical therapist will perform various exercises to address the client’s specific needs. For example, they might work on helping patients learn how to use a cane or walker to avoid falls and other health hazards.

Speech therapists

Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) help people who have problems with communication and swallowing. They may use alternate communication methods, such as picture communication, if patients lose their ability to speak.

They use therapeutic activities and exercises to treat different kinds of speech disorders. Some examples include articulation disorders, apraxia, and stuttering. They also treat cognitive-communication disorders caused by brain injuries, genetic issues, or birth defects.

They may work with children in a classroom setting or in one-on-one sessions at their homes. They usually interact with the child by playing and talking, using pictures, books, and objects to stimulate language development.

Dietitians

Dietitians work with patients on nutrition therapy and counseling, often under the supervision of physicians. They consult with medical records, lab results and other information to design a healthy eating plan for each client.

They also educate clients, patients and the public about diet and nutrition. They may write articles or speak on the subject at conferences.

Clinical dietitians work in hospitals, nursing care facilities and other health care settings to provide nutritional consultations for patients with a variety of medical conditions. They also manage food services and ensure that meals meet nutrition standards.

Laboratory technicians

Laboratory technicians conduct tests on blood, body fluids and tissues to help doctors diagnose illnesses. They also help develop and improve lab procedures and make administrative tasks such as scheduling and maintaining records.

Home health care may also include services by licensed medical personnel such as physicians, registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), physical therapists (PTs), speech language pathologists (SLPs), and dietitians. These professionals may have a private practice or work for a home health care agency.

Medical laboratory technicians are exposed to a variety of hazards, including toxic, corrosive and flammable chemicals, biological hazards, and needlestick injuries.

Medical equipment

Northeast Ohio Home Health Care is a wide range of medical services that can be provided in your home to treat an illness or injury. It is usually less expensive, more convenient and just as effective as care given in a hospital or skilled nursing facility.

Home healthcare workers have a variety of duties and responsibilities, but all are committed to helping you recover from an illness or injury in the comfort of your own home. These professionals must follow strict state licensing requirements and work for Medicare-approved agencies.

Home health care agencies are also working to reduce avoidable hospital readmissions, providing support and care for patients to prevent avoidable hospital stays and rehabilitation costs.

Transportation

Home health care consists of medically skilled services provided in the comfort of one's own home. Services are provided by Medicare-certified home health agencies, private insurance companies, and self-pay options.

Home healthcare services are often less expensive and more convenient than inpatient care at a hospital or nursing facility. They also offer a higher level of quality.

Transportation is a key component of home health care, and many franchises and independent home care companies have established transportation lines to address this need. Some of these organizations have developed partnerships with ride-hailing apps like Lyft, while others have built in-house fleets for their caregivers and patients.