If you’re a senior or know someone who’s battling age-related issues, you probably understand the importance of home healthcare. Home healthcare is a form of clinical care that’s ideal for people experiencing various ailments in the face of aging. Additionally, it is also an excellent solution for adults who have trouble performing daily activities. Either way, before choosing home healthcare options, it is important to understand what it is, how it works, and what it covers. Over the next few sections, we will discuss this in detail.
What Is Home HealthCare?
Home Health care is a type of clinical care that is usually provided by registered nurses, occupational therapists, and other healthcare professionals. This option is often suggested as a part of the care plan right after hospitalization. Some common home healthcare services include:
- Therapy conducted by skilled nurses
- Proper administration of the medication and injections
- Timely medical tests
- Assessment of health status
- Wound treatment
When Should You Consider This Option?
The following are some of the common situations where you might consider home healthcare.
- After the hospitalization, and during the rehabilitation of the patient. When you consider this treatment post-hospitalization, the nursing facilities will effectively assist the seniors to regain their independence.
- When a senior has a recent change in their medication. At this point, the home healthcare services will help monitor the side-effects, thereby ensuring that the current medication is indeed effective.
- When a senior experiences a complete decline in their overall functions. During this time, home healthcare services might help them transition to proper independence. Therapy is an excellent option here as it helps them learn and hone new skills.
Is Home Healthcare Covered by Medicare?
Yes, home healthcare is covered by your medical insurance, i.e., Medicaid and Medicare. It is covered by the Medicare plan when your physician prescribes this to you. The Medicaid plan, on the other hand, is applicable to qualified individuals. In some cases, you might have to switch to private pay. However, these cases are extremely rare.
Why Should You Choose Home Healthcare?
There are many reasons why you should consider home healthcare options. Here are some of the most important ones.
24×7 Care
One of the biggest highlights of home healthcare services that the professionals offering these services are available 24X7. This is especially important for people who are trying to explore caregiving options from distance. The 24×7 availability of skilled nurses and qualified medical professionals offer you proper peace of mind. Whether it is placing a comfortable rug on slippery surfaces or recommending ambulatory assistance; these professionals are always there to help.
Access to Skilled Care
This is yet another major reason why you should consider this option. Home healthcare allows you to access skilled medical care via professional, and fully certified medical professionals who also possess ample expertise in handling high-end medical equipment.
Assistance with Nutrition and Diet
Is your loved one accessing the kind of nutrition required for staying healthy? Note that adults over 65, individuals with chronic ailments, and others who’ve been recently released from hospital are often at nutritional risk. Aging, constant bed rest, and subsequent illnesses and injuries can result in the loss of one’s lean mass. At this point, nutritional care is imperative, to say the least. Since home healthcare includes nutritional assistance and homely meals, you can effectively protect your loved ones from instances of malnutrition.
Managing the Medication
If the seniors in question are under multiple prescriptions, it often gets difficult to handle things. This is an instance where home healthcare can help. The professionals offering these services always ensure that your loved ones are on the right medications at the right time. This keeps their medical condition in control while also preventing the possibility of dangerous drug interactions.
Bottom Line
Now that you have a clear idea about home healthcare and how it works, choose this option to offer extra care to seniors. Accessible and affordable, home healthcare services are especially vital for individuals who have been recently hospitalized
