Searching for Home Care or Hospice in Ohio?
What is Home Care?
Home care takes in a wide range of health and social services that can be delivered at home, which is preferred by most people. Home care can be provided to recovering,disabled, or chronically ill children and adults needing medical, nursing, social or therapeutic treatment and/or assistance with the essentials of daily living. Home care is provided to individuals of all ages who face a variety of health and social problems, such as a short- or long-term illness, injury, physical handicaps, mental health disorders and chemical dependencies.
Who Provides Home Care?
Home care services are provided by home care agencies. These public and private non-profit and for-profit groups have historically centered on a core of providing nursing and home care aide services. But home care agencies now also provide physical, occupational and speech therapy as well as social and nutritional care. Home care may involve professional, paraprofessionals and volunteers. Before receiving home care, a person should have a specific plan of treatment designed by a physician, nurse and/or medical social worker in concert with the people providing the care.
Who Can Benefit from Home Care?
A person who:
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Is discharged from a hospital or nursing facility, but needs additional care and treatment
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Requires short-term assistance at home because of outpatient surgery or maternity-related incapacity
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Is a medically fragile child with special needs
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Needs assistance to live independently due to illness, disability or aging
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Has a condition such as congestive heart failure, diabetes and muscular, nervous or respiratory disorders
What is Hospice?
Hospice is a specialized service that provides care and support for persons in the last phases of a terminal illness. Hospice recognizes dying as part of the normal process of living and focuses on maintaining the quality of remaining life.
Who Pays for Home Care or Hospice Services?
Services are reimbursed by both private and public sources. Public payors include Medicaid, Medicare and PASSPORT. A growing number of private insurance plans also provide reimbursement. Care also may be paid directly by the patient or the patient's family.
How Do I Select the Right Agency?
Finding the home care or hospice agency best suited for your needs requires research, but it is time well spent. Important factors include the quality of care, availability of needed services, personnel training and expertise, and coverage provided by the payor.
Fortunately most communities have a variety of agencies to choose from.