We recieve a lot of questions about our services, so we’ve made a list of home health FAQs! It’s hard to watch a loved one struggle with poor health and a loss of independence. Whether it’s from aging, surgery, or long-term illness, seniors can feel a sense of helplessness that comes with the constant worry about their health and wellbeing. Not knowing what else to do, family members often assume only two options are available. They think they can either take on the burden of full-time care themselves or relocate their loved ones to an inpatient facility. However, the world of home health is much larger, and several other options are available to patients who qualify for this service. Below, we will answer the most common questions to help peace of mind when receiving home health.
Home Health FAQs
What is home health?
Home health, or post-acute care, is typically prescribed after being recently discharged from acute care such as a rehabilitation center or hospital. Usually, the patient has undergone a surgery or procedure that will require some time to heal or rehabilitate. However, patients can experience this recovery in the safety and comfort of the patient’s home. We say “typically” because one can qualify for home health without surgery or procedure. That is why it is best to contact your preferred home health provider to find out. Home health can even be less expensive, more convenient, and just as effective as care one would receive in a nursing facility or hospital.
What can I expect on the first home health visit?
During the first home health visit, either a nurse or therapist will assess the patient and develop a professional opinion about the circumstances that have affected the patient. After conducting this thorough assessment, the nurse or therapist often teaches different methods to the patient. These methods assist in their journey to heal and give the available tools to help manage their health. During this time, the transition from a hospital or nursing facility to the patient’s home begins.
How often will visits be, and how long will I receive care?
This question is one of the most common home health FAQs. The number of visits a patient receives each week will depend on the circumstances relative to the physician’s home health order. This plan may change over time depending on how fast or slow recovery time occurs. Regardless of how many visits occur each week or how long the recovery takes, we will personalize our care plan towards the patient’s needs.
Who pays for these services?
Home health is 100% covered by traditional Medicaid, Medicare, and many other insurance plans for those who qualify. These in-home caregiver services in Salt Lake City are made available through the social security system. Everyone deserves a happy and fulfilling experience later in life, and the limitations faced by the elderly should not prevent that. Aspire Home Health will also take care of all the Medicare billing for in-home caregivers.
How do I qualify for home health?
Home health coverage is through Medicare, which requires agencies to meet five specific requirements. If you want to read more about these particular requirements, our blog explicitly lists all this information and more. In short, to qualify for these home health benefits under Medicare, a patient must meet these qualifications:
- You are homebound. To be homebound, you must have trouble leaving your home without assistance because of an illness or injury.
- Your doctor orders you to receive home health services (nursing or therapeutic services).
- A qualified physician must document that they’ve had a face-to-face encounter with you recently regarding your current need for home health care.
- You must be under a doctor’s care responsible for your plan of care and regularly reviewing the plan of care.
- The home health agency caring for you must be a Medicare-approved agency (i.e., Aspire Home Health and Hospice).
What services come with this care?
The purpose of home health care is to help you regain your independence and to get you back on your feet. All of the care provided lends towards that overarching focus. Unfortunately, not every patient chooses to receive all the services ordered by their physician. Still, they are available to help Aspire Home Health patients heal at a more accelerated rate than they would have been able to without.
Below is a list of the home health services we provide to our patients here at Aspire Home Health and Hospice:
Skilled Nursing
Our exceptional nurses come to your place of residence—whether it be an assisted living facility or in your home—to provide skilled nursing services. Nursing services can entail a wide range from pain management to wound care. We also have a holistic nurse on our team, expanding our available resources.
Physical Therapy
As we stated previously, home health aims to help you get your independence back. Physical therapy is a massive part of that. A physical therapist provides exercises and activities to help individuals gain strength and balance.
Occupational Therapy
An occupational therapist’s goal is to help their patients maintain meaningful activities that are important to their lives. In home health, an occupational therapist assists with functioning specifically in bathing and grooming. Occupational therapy may involve instructions or assistance on safely performing certain activities.
Speech Therapy
This service can assist patients facing swallowing and communication disorders. Speech therapy can be a life-changing service for individuals who have difficulties speaking and eating.
Certified Nursing Assistant
Under the direction of our nurses, our certified nursing assistants are available to visit you and provide aide services, including bathing or grooming. Aides are also available to assist you with additional services, encompassing light house cleaning and cooking.
Social Work
Many of our patients evaluate their lives and what emotions they may still be feeling. Social work is provided to patients to help them face these feelings and provide a safe space to discuss openly and hopefully reduce any lingering emotional pain. In addition, social workers have training in assisting individuals in finding additional community resources.
Is hospitalization required to receive home health care?
Hospitalization is not required to receive home health care. Instead, a doctor will prescribe home health to a patient if they feel it is a good fit. If you do not have an order from a doctor but feel you qualify for home health, connect with us by calling 801-396-5735 or messaging us over webchat. Aspire Home Health & Hospice will work with your physician to get home health plan orders.
What can home health specifically do for me?
Home health is a beautiful service meant to bring health care providers directly into the place where you are most comfortable—your home! When you receive admittance to Aspire Home Health, you have the opportunity to discuss with your nurse what exactly your health-related goals are. Then, your nurse will create a personalized recovery plan specific to what you want to accomplish.
In Summary
Home health can seem like an impossible service to navigate. Still, suppose the patient listens to their physician’s recommendations and reaches out for assistance from Aspire Home Health. In that case, we can perfectly meet their needs. Home health is a beautiful service that allows the patient to gain their independence in the comforts of home. Our website contains even more information if one wishes to learn more about the services provided. We hope our home health FAQs list was helpful!
At Aspire Home Health and Hospice, rest assured that we will fulfill your loved one’s needs to an exceptional standard. With a dedication to mastering these services’ benefits, Aspire Home Health & Hospice utilizes a potent mix of services that add increased comfort for those who embark on the journey of home health.
Additionally, Patient Care Advocates are standing by to hear your circumstances. They will guide you towards the proper care of treatment. Reach them today by calling 801-396-5735.
Aspire Home Health & Hospice is here to give you and your family the ability to experience joy. We will walk hand-in-hand with you on this journey of life and help you receive the care you deserve.
