What Is Home Health Care

Home Care –  sometimes called Home Health Care – is a term used to describe a broad range of services to help people recover from illness or injury or manage a chronic condition in the comfort of home. Services can range from assistance with daily activities and companionship to licensed professionals providing in-home medical care.

Who Might Benefit from Home Care?

Home care serves people of all ages, from newborns to older adults. Below are some situations where home care can help:

• You are recently discharged from the hospital and could benefit from additional teaching and medical supervision from a nurse or physical therapist.
• You are going to have joint replacement surgery and will require physical therapy to complete your recovery.
• You have a chronic condition which has caused frequent hospitalizations and/or many visits to your doctor.
• You have another condition such as diabetes, a wound that won't heal or heart problems that interfere with your daily living.
• You are concerned that a loved one is experiencing declining health and finds it difficult to get out of the house.

Types of Home Health Care

In Michigan, there are two types of home care: medical (Medicare-certified care) and non-medical or private-duty care, sometimes called private-pay care. You or your loved one may need one, or both types of care, depending on your situation.

Learn more about the types of care below:

Medical Care
Medical care is ideal for people who want to recover from illness or injury in the comfort and safety of their own home and require skilled care (care from a registered nurse or physical therapist) for a limited period of time. To have this care covered by your insurance, you will need to meet the following criteria:

• Leaving the home requires considerable and taxing effort
• You have a condition that requires the services of a licensed nurse or a physical therapist
• Your doctor must write a prescription for homecare

Depending upon your medical condition and needs, a 60-day medical care plan will be developed that may include the following services: physical therapy, speech therapy, social work and/or a home health aide.

Non-Medical or Personal Care
If you or a loved one require support such as daily help with feeding, dressing or bathing, companion or homemaker services, for a longer period of time, then private-duty care may be right for you. This type of care is generally not covered by insurance and requires out-of-pocket expenses. You will want to talk with a private-duty agency to see what type of caregiver would best meet your needs. There is usually a minimum time requirement (two to four hours) and fees can vary from agency to agency.

How to Find a Home Care Agency
Below are some suggestions of where to find an agency. Please be sure to do your homework and ask questions before using the services of any agency.

• If you are being discharged from a hospital, the discharge planner may provide you with a list of agencies from which to choose.
• Your doctor's office may also be able to provide you with a list.
• Ask your friends, family and coworkers if they have loved ones who have used an agency and what their experience was like.
• You can assess an agency's quality of care or find a list of agencies near your home by using the Medicare website's online Home Health Compare tool.
• Contact your local Area Agency on Aging
  
• Look in your Yellow Pages under headings such as "nurse" or "home care."

Questions to Ask a Potential Agency

• Is the agency certified or accredited?
• How long has the agency been in business in your community?
• Does the agency provide an initial assessment to identify your needs and determine what types of services are needed?
• Does the agency provide the services you need?
• Does the agency offer specialty programs in the area of care you need?
• Does the agency do criminal background checks on their employees before hiring?
• Are the agency's employees bonded and insured?
• Do the agency employees receive regular, ongoing training?
• Does the agency have written materials about their services, eligibility requirements and fees?
• Does the agency conduct supervisory visits?
• Does the agency have arrangements in place for emergencies?
• Are the agency's caregivers available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week?
• How quickly can the agency begin service?