You’ll Want To Choose A Home Health Agency With Experienced And Dedicated Caregivers

Home health care is medical care provided in your own home if you’re recovering from a recent hospitalization for illness, injury or surgery or have a long-term chronic disease like diabetes. It’s usually less expensive than staying in the hospital, and is covered by Medicare, Medicaid and some private insurance plans.

Home healthcare services include skilled nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech-language pathology. Other services include dietary services, medication management and home health aides. It’s important to understand what type of help you or your loved one might need so you can find the right provider.

The home healthcare team will visit you in your home regularly to make sure you’re following your treatment plan. They’ll check your temperature, blood pressure, heart rate and breathing, and teach you how to manage your condition. They’ll also give you instructions on how to use medication or assistive devices. They’ll also teach you about safe cooking and cleaning, and help you do your laundry.

They might also provide help with bathing or dressing. This is called personal care, and it’s different from around-the-clock live-in home health aides, which aren’t covered by Medicare. The goal of personal care is to enable you to be as independent as possible, and it may involve helping you take your medications.

Other services include arranging transportation and delivering supplies. Many aging adults need help remembering to take their medicine, so there are devices that will beep or flash a light when it’s time to take them. Dietitians can help with meal planning, and labs can be done at home with portable X-ray machines or with simple urine and blood tests.

You’ll want to choose a Northeast Ohio Home Health Care agency with experienced and dedicated caregivers. Be sure to ask how they screen employees, including a thorough background check, and whether they provide emergency training like CPR. You’ll also want to know how much training they provide for new hires, and whether they offer continuing education.

Another consideration is how a home health agency works with hospitals to reduce avoidable hospital readmissions. This means that they work with your doctor to develop a plan to prevent you from needing to return to the hospital soon after you’re discharged. It’s also a good idea to see if your local home health agency is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting organization.

While navigating the world of home health care can seem overwhelming, with careful research and guidance from professionals, you can find a plan that feels just right for your loved one. Start by seeking referrals from family, friends and neighbors. They might have used home health care services themselves or have a trusted friend who does, and they can help you narrow down your options. You can also ask your doctor, hospital discharge planner or social worker for recommendations. They’ll know which agencies have the best track record for meeting your needs.