Home healthcare refers to health services delivered in an individual’s own home, typically costing less and being more convenient than healthcare facilities such as hospitals or other healthcare centers.
Home care services may be partially covered by private health insurance policies, Medicare or Medicaid plans; patients may also make out-of-pocket payments for some services.
Caring for a loved one can be overwhelming and exhausting. Home health provides caregivers with an opportunity to relax knowing their loved one is receiving quality care.
Medications
Medication has played a critical role in many health advancements over time. However, improper usage can be dangerous; therefore it is wise to keep a home medication list documenting all prescription and over-the-counter drugs that you take regularly.
Physicians frequently recommend home healthcare services for their patients who cannot visit hospitals or get access to certain medical treatments, including home health aides who come directly to the patient’s home and administer medication and perform wellness checks on them.
This study sought to understand the complexity of medication management processes (MMPs) in home healthcare from a resilience perspective. For this purpose, observations and interviews were conducted at three specialized home healthcare units, collecting iterative cycles of data collection before being analyzed by grounded theory techniques. Results demonstrated that MMP was an ongoing dynamic process comprising multiple concurrent activities across time, space and actors.
Meals
Home health services offer vital support for individuals of all ages recovering from illness or injury at home, so they don’t require hospitalization or long-term care facility placement. Meal delivery programs may also be included as part of this care.
Home-delivered meal services not only ensure patients receive essential nutrients, but they can also lower the risk of malnutrition. Home delivery meal services can be found everywhere from hospitals to rehabilitation centers and continuing care retirement communities.
Home Healthcare should prioritize patient-oriented meal delivery. A Home Health Aides/Personal Care Aides must take the time to learn each client’s dietary preferences, allergies or religious and cultural restrictions when planning their meals, then sit alongside them during mealtime without distracting or trying to force feed another bite while they’re chewing or swallowing their previous bites. This approach will increase its benefits.
Observation
Home healthcare workers must monitor their patients carefully for signs of health problems. They examine changes in skin color, shape and temperature; changes to odors; discharge; mobility difficulties; sleep patterns or eating habits. If they notice something important like an uncluttered hallway that could pose as a trip hazard they notify their supervisor immediately.
Observation can help improve patient care, reduce hospital readmissions and help home health agencies better fulfill their OASIS responsibilities for Medicare beneficiaries. However, its adoption will depend on several factors, including physician awareness of Care at Home as well as digitally enabled monitoring and interventions delivered in the home. Stakeholders such as payers, healthcare facilities/physician groups/Care at Home providers/technology companies could realize significant value from these innovations; but to do so successfully will require collaboration in terms of developing and implementing them.
Socialization
Home healthcare workers are an invaluable part of many patients’ homes. Their roles span nursing assistants, personal care aides, therapists and nurses. Together, these healthcare professionals provide hands-on long-term care to people living with chronic illness or disabilities in their own environments.
Assist the patient in managing medication and bathing needs. Perform clinical tasks like blood pressure readings, wound dressing and range of motion exercises.
Socialization is important for seniors as it can improve mental health and build confidence. Social interaction also has cognitive advantages like stimulating the brain and improving memory – however retirement and physical ailments may make engaging in regular socialization difficult for some seniors.
Medicare and private insurers cover home healthcare services when doctors certify that you require intermittent skilled care at home after you leave hospital, rehab center or skilled nursing facility. Your physician must sign a certification of home healthcare every 60 days.