Aging Prepared
Who Will Care for Me?

Home Healthcare

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Bringing medical care home

Home Healthcare offers medical care in the comfort of one’s own home, provided by licensed professionals such as nurses and therapists. These services are ideal for individuals recovering from a hospital stay, managing chronic illnesses, or needing specialized care such as wound care, physical therapy, or medication management. 

Many people believe that home healthcare is all they need to safely return home after leaving the hospital. However, home healthcare offers limited, occasional services. Most people also require help with daily tasks like bathing and dressing. This requires arranging and paying for extra non-medical personal care services alongside home health.

And remember, Home Healthcare ≠ Personal Care Services.

Choosing a home healthcare organization

Your first question is whether the organization can provide coverage where you live. If you’re leaving the hospital, the discharge planner will provide a list of organizations but may encourage you to use hospital-owned services.

Remember, you have the right to request other options. Not all organizations offer the same services or levels of support.

Qualifying for
Home Healthcare

Home healthcare may be covered by Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance, or veterans benefits. You may qualify for home health if you have:

  • Home healthcare usually requires a doctor’s order stating that the patient needs medical care at home. This might include nursing care, physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech therapy.

  • Many insurance plans, including Medicare, require the patient to be considered "homebound." This means it is extremely difficult for the patient to leave home due to illness or injury, and if they do, it requires a considerable and taxing effort.

  • The patient must need specific skilled services, such as wound care, injections, physical therapy, or monitoring of vital signs.

  • The need for home healthcare must be regularly (eg., every 60 days) re-evaluated and re-certified by a physician. 

  • Add a short summary or a list of helpful resources here.