When given an option, most people would prefer to be at home than in assisted living or a nursing home. While those services may be needed at some point, a home health care agency can prolong the length of time that a client can stay in the comfort and peace of their own home. In addition, home health care services allow clients to have greater privacy, with added convenience and lower costs – all designed to improve the quality of life of the client.

Home health agencies provide necessary support services to allow clients to get the care they need in their own home setting. Home care services often work with the elderly, but they can also offer services for pediatric, postpartum, and otherwise disabled clients. Besides offering respite care for friends and family who may be caring for a loved ones, home health care services can serve as a helpful resource when loved ones may not live near the person who needs supportive care.

Home Care Services Offered
Home health care services range from non-medical peer-level companionship for social companionship (think playing card games and sitting and visiting) to skilled nursing care (such as wound care and injections). They can be temporary or long-term and may include:

• transportation
• errands
• light housekeeping
• meal preparation
• medication reminders
• assistance with activities of daily living
• respite care for family members
• skilled nursing care
• hospice care

Depending on the home health care agency, specialty services may be offered. For example, wound care or infusion (IV) therapy may be offered, where specially trained nurses provide intravenous therapy, including chemotherapy and antibiotics, to patients in the comfort of home. While those services will cost more, they will still be less expensive than if offered during an overnight hospital stay.

Home Care offered in Senior Care Facilities
In some cases, home health care workers provide one-on-one care to a client in a nursing home, assisted living facility, rehabilitation unit or hospital. The staff person is hired and paid for by the client, and provides the personal care that larger health service organizations are not able to give.

Most hospitals and other residential health organizations have specific rules and guidelines regarding outside staff, and you may want to check with the director of nursing before hiring a home health agency. Typically, as long as the home health care staff person does not interfere with the care of any other patients, then an outside agency is permitted. They will not, however, deal with any staffing issues.

Personalized Care
You can request a free initial assessment plan with a staff social worker or nurse coordinator. Generally, a social worker or other staff member of a home health care agency will visit the client’s home and work with the client, and their families and physician, as needed, to develop a written care plan which includes the services the client needs to maintain his or her physical, mental, and social well being.

Regulations
Home health care agencies may be regulated by state laws, which may determine what services may be performed and by whom. Typically, laws require that home health care staff not perform services beyond those which they are licensed to do. In other words, a companion could help with meals, but not give injections.