Types of Home Health Care Services

Home health aides can help the patient with his or her basic personal needs such as getting out of bed, walking, bathing, and dressing. Some aides have received specialized training to assist with more specialized care under the supervision of a nurse. Angela Haupt has been a health writer and editor for more than a decade. News & World Report, where she spent 11 years covering and editing wellness and conditions topics.

This Medicare Advantage plan offers PPO and HMO products in 12 counties throughout Maryland, including Baltimore City. Backed by Johns Hopkins Medicine, Advantage MD connects you to high quality coverage with low costs on everyday health care needs. If you have a Medicare Supplement Insurance policy or other health insurance coverage, tell your doctor or other health care provider so your bills get paid correctly.

But the majority of people who receive home health care are seniors. If your doctor or referring health care provider decides you need home health care, they should give you a list of agencies that serve your area. They must tell you whether their organization has a financial interest in any agency listed.

She helped launch the popular Best Diets rankings and continued to oversee the franchise throughout her time there. Angela has also written about health and wellness for publications such as the Washington Post, USA Today, Everyday Health and Verywell Fit. She’s passionate about helping people make healthier decisions through accurate journalism that delivers the facts and puts them in context. Based on the responses you receive, you should be able to partner with a home health care agency that adequately meets the needs of your loved one. If you answered “no” to any of these questions, it may be time to consider support from a home health care agency.

An occupational therapist can help a patient with physical, developmental, social, or emotional disabilities relearn how to perform such daily functions as eating, bathing, dressing, and more. A speech therapist can help a patient with impaired speech regain the ability to communicate clearly. Information provided on Forbes Health is for educational purposes only.

Depending on the person's needs, hot meals can be delivered several times a week. Dietitians can come to a patient's home to provide dietary assessments and guidance to support the treatment plan. The home health agency staff will also talk to your doctor about your care and keep your doctor updated about your progress. Through a Medicare health plan, check with your plan to find out how it gives your Medicare-covered home health benefits. Forbes Health adheres to strict editorial integrity standards.

Your health and wellness is unique to you, and the products and services we review may not be right for your circumstances. We do not offer individual medical advice, diagnosis or treatment plans. For personal advice, please consult with a medical professional. Medicare covers the cost of skilled home care ordered by a doctor for a limited time, based on specific medical needs.

Care.com helps you find local caregivers ready to help with meal prep, bathing, companionship, transportation and more. We provide high quality, individualized care for patients of all ages where you feel most comfortable – your home or community. Our services and equipment are designed to help you regain and retain a level of independence. Once home health care starts, the patient and provider work together to determine the appropriate days and hours for visits. “It varies greatly—from one hour at a time to 24-hour care,” says Pecora.

As with all things, the first agency you try might not be the best one for you. If the patient needs it, training can be provided on how to take medicines or use of the equipment, including intravenous therapy. Certain laboratory tests, such as blood and urine tests, can be performed in the comfort of the patient's home. In addition, portable X-ray machines allow lab technicians to perform this service at home. Some patients who are home alone may require a companion to provide comfort and supervision. Medicaid coverage is determined at the state level, so it varies greatly—but in most cases, there will be some coverage.