So you have an elderly family member who got injured, or sick, and was admitted to the hospital, now it’s time for a discharge. What should you do next? Should we get home health care?
Home health care is for those patients who wants to, and most importantly, stable enough to go home. The recommendation or certification is going to be given by a doctor who has direct care with patient. Then, a nurse or a medical professional is going to do the admission for evaluation for the eligibility for home health care.
Home health care is comprised of a group of medical professionals and some volunteers. They will have nursing care for medication and disease process education. The nursing staff will also monitor and provide intervention to the patient as advised by the primary physician of the patient. If there’s no capable family member available at providing assistance for hygiene (including getting dressed), the patient also needs a home health aide who generally provides help during showers or sponge baths. The physical therapy generally works on improving the patients balance, strength, ambulation, bed mobility, wheelchair or power chair training. Occupational therapy would be working with the patient on regaining independence in their daily tasks such as showers and feeding. They will also look for ways to improve safety and efficiency while doing their daily tasks. Home health care would also have a social worker who would provide community resources and support for the family and the patient. Sometimes home healthcare would also provide a pastor or a minister or a qualified person for the patient’s spiritual needs.
So the main focus of home healthcare is to make sure that the patient does not get readmitted to the hospital and continue to recover in the comfort of their homes.