What is an Example of Home Health Care?

Home health care is medical care that focuses on helping you recover from an illness, injury or surgery. The services are usually ordered by a doctor and covered by Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance.

It can also help older people stay in their homes instead of going to a hospital or long-term care facility. This can be especially beneficial for patients with chronic conditions like diabetes, obesity or HIV/AIDS.

Home Health Aides

Home health aides assist seniors and other patients with activities of daily living, such as bathing and dressing. They also help with meal preparation, transportation to physician appointments and other tasks.

They work under the supervision of a registered nurse or another medical professional who prescribes their services. Some home health aides perform skilled care, such as wound care and physical or occupational therapy.

Home health aides are a fast-growing profession, with more than 3.5 million jobs nationwide in May 2020, up from 3.3 million two years earlier. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the number of home health aides will grow 33 percent by 2030.

Home Health Nurses

Home health nurses work to provide patients with care that they might not be able to get in a hospital or other medical facility. Their services range from wound care and pain management to administering medications and other treatments.

RNs are the most common professionals employed in this field, but LPNs and certified nursing assistants can also work as home health nurses. They must meet certification and licensing requirements in their states to practice, and they usually work under the supervision of a registered nurse.

As a home health nurse, your daily responsibilities include taking vital signs, monitoring and reporting on the patient’s condition, administering medication and maintaining accurate paperwork. Your role requires you to educate patients and their families on disease prevention and recovery techniques. You must also advocate and communicate with the doctor as needed.

Home Health Therapists

Home health therapists help people recover from an illness or injury in the comfort of their own homes. They work under the supervision of a doctor or other medical professional and follow the patient’s care plan. They help with everyday tasks like bathing, dressing, grooming and transportation and give medicine or other treatments.

Usually, they work for a home health agency that contracts with Medicare. This means they are trained to provide skilled nursing and therapy services.

But they also offer non-medical care, such as helping with meal preparation, shopping and housekeeping. This care is sometimes called companion or personal care aide care.

Home health therapists can work in various settings, from small, local private practices to larger, national agencies. This is a great option for many PTs, especially those who want to expand their reach to clients who prefer home visits.

Home Health Assistants

As a home health assistant, you will provide services and support to clients at their homes. Depending on your client’s needs, you will check their vital signs, assist them with personal care tasks like bathing and dressing, or administer medications.

You may also help them with shopping, cooking, and housekeeping. These activities require good physical health because you may need to lift, move, or transfer a patient.

Many patients have adaptive equipment, such as wheelchairs and walkers, to assist them with their daily routines. They may also have medical equipment, such as an oxygen tank or infusion pump, which requires additional assistance.

Home health aides work under the supervision of a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse (LPN), who provides them with a care plan that includes instructions about each task they perform. They must follow these instructions to ensure the safety of their patients and protect themselves from liability.