Health at Home Definitions

Home Health Care - is medically-focused care which is covered by Medicare and other types of health insurance. To qualify, a person must  be homebound, as defined very specifically by Medicare. Home Health must be prescribed by a doctor.  Medicare coverage is triggered only by the need for nursing or  therapy. When a patient qualifies for nursing or therapy in their home, he or she may also receive the help of a home health aide for non-medical assistance like bathing and dressing. However these non-medical services alone are not covered by Medicare. They must be provided in conjunction with the skilled visit to qualify for insurance coverage. The visits are intermittent (meaning usually a few times a week) and usually one hour or less. The duration is limited by Medicare and usually lasts a few weeks. Your local Medicare-certified Home Health Agency can further explain the eligibility criteria.

Homemakers and Companions - For individuals not in need of medical assistance, but who do need some support in the home - homemakers and companions provide housekeeping, errands and other daily responsibilities which afford seniors the ability to remain in the comfort of their home.

Hospice- a comprehensive program of care to patients and families facing a life threatening illness. Hospice emphasizes palliative rather than curative treatment. The dying are comforted. Professional medical care is given, and sophisticated symptom relief provided. Very few Home Health Agencies are also licensed for Hospice care.

Respite Care- care that is short-term or temporary. It is designed to give families a break from the stress of daily caregiving. Respite care can be for a few hours, overnight, or for days. The amount of care changes with the needs of the family and the patient.

24 hour care- “round the clock treatment” in a home environment. The care may be shared by mulitiple caregivers or by a single caregiver.

Social Worker- a clinical social worker whose purpose in health care is to enhance, promote, maintain, and restore the best possible social abilities of the patient or family. Services provided may be preventive, developmental, or remedial in nature.

Skilled Nursing- a higher level of care where services are performed by a licensed Registered Nurse or Licensed Practical Nurse. Skilled Nursing includes, but is not limited to patient assessments, performance of prescribed medical treatments, administration of prescribed medications, education for the patient and the caregiver (if available) related to the disease process, treatment, health measures and medication management. Skilled Nurses provide medical care as prescribed by physician.

Intravenous Therapy- any medical treatments/medications that need to be introduced into the body via a patient’s veins. Numerous IV Therapies can be provided in a patient’s home under supervision of a M.D. Some of these include: inter-infective/antibiotic therapies, hydration therapy, pain management, chemotherapy and central line care and maintenance.

Wound Care- services for providing diagnosis and treatment for ulcers, pressure soars and other wounds.  Treatments may include but are not limited to irrigations & dressing. Some agencies may employ specialty nurses to provide care & instruction specifically for patients with more complicated wounds.

Therapy Services- include assessment and rehabilitation, including: Speech, Physical, Occupational, and Respiratory Therapies.

Cardiac Care- services including patient assessment, specific diet information, management of the disease process, medication management and education . Cardiac rehabilitation is a program designed to help a person with heart disease return to health. Cardiac rehabilitation may consists of exercise, modifying risk factors to prevent further heart damage, or psychological rehabilitation.

Psychiatric Services- the agencies ability to offer services related to psychiatric support with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of mental illness. Services may include counseling or administering of medications.

Mobile X-ray- the availability of mobile equipment for the use of taking X-rays of a patient.