Over the years, there has been a notable increase in the number of home health care agencies, so much so that it is sometimes overwhelming to choose the best ones. However, these agencies have provided respite to millions of Americans, finding the most suitable way to balance their hectic daily schedule and the care of elderly patients at home. In a way, these agencies are a welcome relief.
All one has to do now is consider a few points during their research and select the agency that fits their needs and parameters. Some of the first things to consider while choosing a home healthcare agency are:
- The type of home health care services needed
- The level of training and qualification of the caregiver and
- The fees and financial coverage are provided by health insurance or Medicare.
Once you have selected a home care service provider licensed by the Center for Medicare or Medicaid, you do not have to worry about the quality of service. They will evaluate your needs and those of the patient and provide you with a tailored home health care service.
Regarding the quality of service, apart from Medicare, several other professional officials monitor the quality of service these agencies provide. There are stringent standards established to define the quality of home care services. This is over and beyond the minimum national or state requirements. The two most respected organizations are:
- The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations or JCAHO and
- The Community Health Accreditation Program or CHAPS.
Eligibility under Medicare
Another reason for the rise in demand for home health care services apart from the quality and convenience is that you can also get this under Medicare. However, you will need to fulfill the eligibility criteria of Medicare to avail of home care in Philadelphia.Typically, all US citizens 65 years or above and those who have contributed to Social Security are eligible for home health care under Medicare. As per the benefits, Medicare will pay for the visits provided irrespective of the number of times. On the other hand, Medicaid is offered to poor people. The eligibility criteria include that there must be a good enough reason to take health care, and it must be primarily confined to the home. The needs for home health care are also specified and include:
- Sporadic need for provisional nursing care
- Need for physical therapy for Congestive Heart Failure after hospitalization.
- Need for physical therapy after joint replacement and
- Need as per the order of a physician.
However, the plan of care and its process must be coordinated with the doctor and the home health care provider.
You are also eligible to take home health care if you have any other private Insurance that typically follows the criteria of Medicare. Different insurance companies may have different co-pay amounts or coverage benefits, so you should call your insurance company and clarify the specific benefits and services.
Different types of services are offered.
When you hire a professional home care agency, you will get different services per their business policies. Typically, the types of services provided by the home care providers include:Nursing services by trained, registered, and licensed practical nurses
- Physical therapy by certified therapists
- Certified nursing assistants
- Trained home health aides
- Certified occupational therapists
- Speech-language pathologists
- Medical social workers and
Companions or sitters taking personal care and performing private duty.
Home health care may be a standalone service combined with self-care and assistance provided by family members or other informal caregivers to homebound patients.Rise and Features of Home Health Care
The reasons for the rise of professional home health care services are many. Usually, experienced clinicians did not have any authority over the informal caregivers. Add to that, the sporadic nature of such care services and the home environment limited the ability of the clinician to observe and monitor the quality of care provided by the informal caregivers. All these affected the recovery of the patient in a negative manner, which would not have been the case in a hospital setting where there is well-trained support staff to provide such care, and it could be easily observed, administered, analyzed, and evaluated.- The income of professional home health care services and their benefits are varied, many of which added to the number of reasons for the rise of these service providers.
- Working closely with the doctor, everything is under the observance of the clinician, and chances of any adverse situation to arise are minimized if not eliminated.
- You are assured that evidence-based interventions and treatments are centered on careful assessments.
- However, The opportunity to observe indirectly helps quickly determine the etiology of any adverse event.
- Since the caregivers have to follow the set standards of home health caregivers, the quality of service and safety aspect is always understood and achieved.
Another distinctive reason for the rise in demand for home health care services is that each care is tailored and provided in a unique setting.
With so many benefits, home health care service is going nowhere soon. They help several people to meet their unmet home healthcare needs, especially if it is required for the long term. These professional services reduce the burden on the family members and the risks involved in it.
Therefore, stakeholders indicate that these medical services provided at home should be expanded. A few even suggest that this industry may undergo a passé of noteworthy consolidation but has a bright future with many scopes for innovation in the care services that benefit specific patient populations needing long-term care.
